Chiari Malformation type 1

I’m going to add some frustrations with my finally being diagnosed with Chiari I. I have had headaches and nausea since age 8 or 9, mostly in the early hours after awakening ( my parents were told I was faking) I have had symptoms of dizziness since age 10. (She doesn’t want to go to school, again faking). Had a hard time learning at school (dual process disability). At 19 I started having the Chiari headaches in the back of my head when I laughed, strained, turned my head too fast, or in major stress. (Never heard of that). Age 20, I started having jaw clenching so severe my jaw locked up and I couldn’t open more than an inch for days til it relaxed. (You’re too old to play games). Later diagnosed TMJ. My dizziness progressed and double vision became an on and off again symptom age 24. (You work night shift. You must be sleeping with your arm over your face and don’t realize it). Age 25, I’m all over the place emotionally and had my first panic/anxiety attack. I was sent to psychiatrics. (6 total - I was noncompliant ). I was not happy being diagnosed with yes or no questions. I had access to the MS5 diagnostic book. I showed the 6th doctor the similarities between bipolar and adhd which overlap. He tested me in an unconventional way and then declared I could not be bipolar. Now I stop seeing the doctor and go on with my symptoms in silence. Age 33, my sister gets diagnosed with Chiari malformation by her neurologist and describes her symptoms after she had a car accident. Same as what I’ve been living with!! I went to the doctor who laughed at me. Age 36, I’m now living in Pennsylvania near my sister for 2 years My symptoms seem to progress. My migraines become worse. Cluster headaches begin along with heart palpitations, and other symptoms worsen with arthritis, and asthma becomes frequently associated with bronchitis. I’m diagnosed as a hypochondriac. I was sent to the cardiologist for the first time at age 38. I told him I think my issues are related to undiagnosed Chiari. He said no. I told him it’s familial. He said no. I said please rule it out, and I’ll stop and do whatever you want. 3 days later I was called and apologized to by my primary and the cardiologist. (15 mm herniation). I quit working in 2010 and that helped with my symptoms. However, things that I found through the course of my life on my own. I don’t sleep on my back, helps with my breathing. I sleep with a feather pillow in a non allergenic pillow cover, helps with neck stiffness and some headaches. I stopped eating processed foods and that helped with inflammation and my cluster headaches are less frequent, My dry eyes improved but it’s too late to help arthritis. I have 2 autoimmune processes along with poly arthritis involving neck, lower back, bilateral hands and knees, and right shoulder. So life is tough. There is so much more but I’ve written a book already. I’ve decided for me no surgery but it’s not the answer for everyone.