Chiari Malformation :: Blood Pressure 236/51 On Stress Test
Mar 22, 2016
Today I had a ECG stress test on a treadmill and after only two and a half minutes my BP went from 140/67 to 236/51. Has anyone heard of it being so high and with such a difference in systolic over diastolic? The diastolic actually dropped while still exercising. I am told to get an echocardiogram stress test now to determine if it is extreme hypertension rather than CAD. Has anyone else had this? Could it be chiari related. I am thinking my problems are heart related rather than chiari related now, but lucky me, it could be both I suppose.
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I am a 31 year old female who was diagnosed with POTS in 2008 at that time I had a normal stress test and has always been able to tolerate my heart rate going up however over the last month I have become short of breath and have been developing chest pain with minimal activities such as showering. I had another stress test on Friday and I was only able to walk 3 1-2 minutes and became short of breath and developed chest pain also my heart rate was 98 at the start and got up to 164 then it took 2 hours to recover that's right 2 hours not 5-8 min and they had to give me iv fluids then I was sent on my way. The report showed hyperkinetic LV and hyperdynamic LV systolic function. All the dr said was it was essentially normal.
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I had my decompression surgery and a cranio-cervical fusion about 8 years ago. I started to have headaches, dizziness and numbness again. I had an MRI and it shows a significant decrease in the flow to the back of my lower brain. Has anyone had this happen? Does it involve another surgery?
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Over the years I have been having issues breathing as well as chest pains and a host of other symptoms. I was diagnosed with another condition however recently doctor's at discovered that I indeed have Chiari Malformation 1 and not what I was previously diagnosed with. The past two days my breathing have been terrible, I feel as though I am struggling to breathing, which makes me light headed. I also find that I have to take deep breath in-between speaking. I also have been having mental lapse as well. Is this normal with Chiari?
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Opinions please, from people diagnosed with a reduced CSF flow. And from those who have had surgery because of it. Or anyone who had advice.
I am 61 years old. My Chiari is only 1.5 mm. My last MRI said I have a mild reduction in CSF flow. No syrinx.
I am finding it increasingly more difficult to concentrate and wonder if the mild reduction in CSF flow could be the reason. Or, am I just getting old? I need to make a living, yet I have so much brain fatigue and overall not feeling well, that I am not succeeding.
I am not being productive and even though I need to care, I don't have the energy to. People, like my GP, try to convince me it can't be the Chiari (though I have not talked to him yet about the reduction in CSF flow). Maybe he will change his mind. But it is to the point that I doubt my judgement, wonder if it is mostly depression or just aging.
I am not begging my doctor for pain medication so he is concluding it can't be hydrocephalus. I understand that may be so, since that would have shown on the MRI too, but can the mild lack of CSF flow be causing problems anyway? If so, how?
I have learnt to put up with headaches and don't like meds stronger than Tylenol with codeine, which doesn't work. I do not want to end up dependent on more medications. Can't afford the ones I take!
Sometimes I have the headaches and neck pain for weeks. But even when that goes away I feel in a fog, and get double vision. It is both too hard to take in information and too hard to see. I only read on the computer or iPad now. Reading print is too frustrating to be a pleasure.
I hear words but my brain is usually too slow to process it. It's scary. I keep rewinding the TV and asking people to repeat themselves. This is life changing because I don't like to socialize anymore. It's embarrassing!
Throughout my life I have had periods where I feel in a fog and periods where my head feels relatively clear. I went through times of relatively good health, but never knew what kind of a day it will be. I failed grade nine because I couldn't concentrate but later got a university degree.
So I think I am intelligent, but am afraid that with a lifetime of blocked CSF flow there is brain damage. I don't have a bad gait, urinary problems or numbness consistent with hydrocephalus, thank goodness! But I just feel that my thoughts are too slow to function the way I need to, among other symptoms.
I haven't worked outside of the home for five years now, though I do need an income. Been trying to build a career in a field which I prefer not to mention, working from home. But it takes more energy and concentration than I have and I'm being left behind, as usual.
I would like to know if I am obsessing over this Chiari thing, blaming it for my problems when it might be depression and anxiety. Should I just forget about it and leave well enough alone? Or would surgery help me get my concentration and energy back?
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One week post op. Anterior cervical disc fusion - 3 levels. Painful lump on side of neck with incision and Doctor is not answering questions until 2 week office appointment. What is this ?
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I've recently been diagnosed with Chiari Malformation type 1 and after reading up on the condition I found that lots of people with the condition either already have or develop syringomyelia. Does anyone know how likely it is that this will develop? Also, does anyone know if the symptoms will continue to worsen over time or will they improve now I'm on medication?
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I am an adult with ADHD, 15 months ago I had decompression surgery as I had a syrinx almost the full length of my spine and Chiari malformation. The syrinx has reduced massively but is still large. I have had many symptoms following surgery but am wanting to know if any chiari patients also have experience with ADHD as alot of the cognitive issues I am having now are similar to ADHD like lack of concentration and taking in information. From what I can find there is no official info about this so I was hoping to hear from anyone who has a personal experience of this. I don't know if I can expect to return to normal as alot of the cognitive symptoms I already had but on a much smaller scale.
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I have always had problems with bowel movements with my chiari before surgery but this is intense. I am going five days with no urges to go at all ever since my surgery, so every five days I go. I am doing laxatives to go at every five days. It is getting painful. Is this normal? I know that constipation is normal with pain pills but usually there is an urge to go and you just can't. But the feeling to go has completely left. I'm worried. My stomach is swollen I look pregnant and is nearly as painful as my recovery from surgery. I am taking everything they told me- stool softener, miralax, benefiber, milk of mag, and suppositories. The pa said to avoid enemas if I could. Has anyone else had this problem?
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I have Chiari Malformation and was told I have EDS as well, I'm in the process of getting an official diagnosis. Besides headaches and other symptoms, one of my biggest problems is nausea! I had the stomach bug back in January and it seems that ever since I have been extremely nauseous 80% of the time. I've been tested for GI pathology and food sensitivities and nothing seems to correlate. Been thinking of possibilities with sugar or salt/electrolyte problems? It's worst at night, I wake up an hour or so after falling asleep and I'm extremely nauseous, I feel as if I move I will throw up and my body is shaking, like tremors.
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I have a child recently diagnosed with chiari malformation type 1. His age is 4. It started with vision and hearing issues, then breath holding spells when hit in the head. All started at age 2. He has strabismus with esotropia. Recently started having spells where he will drop to the ground and cover his eyes (photosensitivity) complains of spinning, they last 2-4 hours followed by 24 hours of vomiting. The neurologist believes this is unrelated to the chiari. I have scheduled a second opinion with a neurosurgeon. He also is constantly smelling everything. Any thoughts on that part? I was wondering if this is all related to chiari and if he has the decompression surgery will it fix his vision and hearing?
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Was referred to a neurosurgeon to see a physiatrist which then referred me to 2 other drs - a neurotherapist and a neuropsychologist. also prescribed nortriptyline. i guess i shouldn't have said i was a little depressed. but man isn't feeling that way probably normal after a car accident, then chiari diagnosis, then possibly brain surgery, and finally after being told i may never again get to play the sport i love which is hockey because of all this? been to 3 neurosurgeons - 1st two say surgery is an option and come back when you're ready basically. 3rd one referred me to physiatrist and said basically surgery will be an option down the road. 26mm herniation with a CSF blockage (i had a cine study with 2nd neurosurgeon). jw if anybody else has been down this road. feels like im taking steps backward instead of forward...
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I'm 23 years old, I was diagnosed and had Decompression Surgery at 16. I have had nearly every symptom of Chiari that I have read about and this isn't new. Ever since I can remember I have seen and heard things that aren't really there. Although I always knew it wasn't real, most the time, it startles me. I have been treated with anti-psychotics and anti-depressants my whole life to no avail. Untill now I accepted the fact that it was just psychosis, but in the last year I have weaned myself off of all medication for depression, anxiety, and psychosis and behold! My depression and anxiety have diminished to nearly being non-existent. I AM HAPPY! But when I get a headache, the back of my neck/head swells and when it gets bad, I start hearing voices, screeching and loud knocking noises. It also feels as if there are people touching me, pulling at me, my skin crawls like there are ants inside of me. Also I see flashing lights, floaters, my vision gets blurry and distorted as if I am looking into those trick mirrors at carnivals.
I am scared of being labeled depressed and psychotic by doctors so I don't say anything. I have been dismissed by the only neurologist I have seen since my surgery, she even said I was 'cured' by the surgery. ARE these symptoms of Chiari or AM I crazy?
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I am not diagnosed as of yet. I do know that I have a chiari malformation 1. About 7-8 days ago I started noticing some visual changes in my left eye. I do notice intermittent pain/ pressure to my left eye and forehead. The best way I can describe the visual changes are as an ocular migraine- everything looks really bright, some blurriness, flashing lights, and the black letters on the bright white screen of my phone look a little dull- however these symptoms come and go over the day, they are not constant. I do notice that the symptoms come on with activity, bright lights/colors, heat. I did have a sinus infection 2 weeks ago and continue with the sinus pressure. I saw my eye doctor who completed a dilated eye exam and said all was normal. Has anyone else had these symptoms with optic neuritis? These symptoms are very concerning to me- didn't feel the eye doctor took me very serious.
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i had my period last june 9 2014, then on june 27 and 28 i had a light spotting.den, i felt something's wrong with me..there's a feeling or slight symptoms of a pregnant woman..a boobs are tender to touch and painful..my body feel hot like i was having a light fever..than july 1 i take a pregnancy test and shows positive but faint line.. then, july 2 to 8 i got again spotting.. and goes away.. july 14 i took another pregnancy test shows again positive faint line.. i went to my ob july 18 just to know her what's happening on me. i had that light spotting again..and in transvaginal ultrasound shows that there was a thickening of the lining tells me that i am positive. 5 to 6 weeks, but i have a cyst considered benign.nothing to worry about she said. she gave me medicine duphaston good for 10 days, and i'm going to come back for a follow up appt. on july 28. again the spotting continues sometimes light bleeding, sometimes full on my liners. another medicine duphaston gud for 5 days she gave me because on the ultrasound she saw only thickening of the linings and the baby wasn't developing. then, this day august 1 i came back for the final appt, i took a blood test and shows negative. transvaginal ultrasound shows again the lining on my ovary.
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I am a fit, healthy 28 year old guy who has spontaneously developed severe high blood pressure, temporal pressure headaches, dizzy spells and blocked ears. The symptoms vary, with acute periods lasting a couple hours and occurring on a weekly basis. Generally an acute period is characterized by severe headaches, needing to lie down, blocked ears and extreme lethargy.
I have had CT’s and MRI’s of the brain and cervical spine, PET scans, ECHO’s, a multitude of blood tests and various other tests with no abnormalities.
I gym 4 times a week, eat healthy and work as a hairdresser, so my lifestyle is pretty healthy overall.
This condition is starting to limit my lifestyle and with two years of no answers I am putting it out there for someone to recognize or provide advice about what could potentially be going on!
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I am 54yrs of age. Today was the first time I had chest (burn) pain while walking up steps. Cannot jog or run due to MS, so I climb steps for exercise. Along with the chest pain I was wheezing. Do I have a blockage?
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I'm a 43yr old male with no history of heart disease, though I do have low HDL cholesterol and mild hypertension (130's/90's) and am on half a Benicar 20mg pill daily. I lost 100lbs 5 years ago and have kept it off with regular exercise (I run 5-7 days per week) and heavy weight lifting (2-3 days/week), plus a much better diet than I ever had while in my obese days. I'm still overweight at 210lbs, 6'2", but in a much better place, I think, and continue to drop a pound every month or so!
Recently, due to a chronic issue with abdominal discomfort that sometimes migrates into my chest, I had a treadmill stress test and echo at the local county hospital and would like to know if I should ask more questions about the results of the stress test (echo still pending).
An echo was performed before the treadmill portion and then ASAP after I hopped off the treadmill (within 10-15 seconds at most). I had zero trouble with the treadmill test, reaching my heart rate goals after about 18 minutes of continuous increases in speed and incline. No discomfort, dizziness, etc. and blood pressure didn't do anything weird, nor did there appear to be any arrhythmia.
The result published by the attending doctor (my regular GP) are as follows:
"... initial EKG was a sinus rhythm ... maximal ST depression was -2.2. However, he was asymptomatic and the depression was in one lead only. This is an electrically and symptomatic negative exercise stress test ..."
I've read that this amount of ST depression is significant, but is it true that a single-lead depression is a negative result? Should I at least inquire about which lead was negative? The tech did have some trouble getting one of my leads to read at first, but seemed to get that worked out before I hopped on the treadmill - I should've asked which lead that was; located on left side rib cage under arm.
I have digestive issues that often present with chest discomfort, fullness, jaw or esophagus tightness, etc. and that leads to anxiety, as you might imagine. Perhaps I'm being overly anxious about this, too...just want anyone with experience or knowledge of these tests to weigh in on whether I should probably just let it go or follow up once the echo comes back in a few more days.
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I was diagnosed Hashimotos this year.
Here are my adrenal stress test results:
Sample 1 - 3.4 (12-22)
Sample 2 - 6.1 (5.0-9.0)
Sample 3 - 4.8 (3.0-7.0)
Sample 4 - 3.2 (1.0-3.0)
DHEA:Cortisol Ratio - 2.62 (within range)
Latest thyroid function test results:
TSH - 2.50 (0.2-4.2)
Free T3 - 4.6 (3.9-6.7)
Free T4 - 15.7 (12-22)
Apparently my doctor says these are normal, yet when I am taking the Levothyroxine my Free T3 drops and my hypothyroid symptoms return. Am I missing something or am I the only one in the world with this problem? I presume the latter.
I am currently dairy and gluten free and my fatigue and constipation have cleared up since on the diet, however I retook my Levothyroxine and within 2 hours I was constipated. The only change I had made was retaking the Levothyroxine but I did increase my fluid intake, too. The reaction I had from the medication is making me doubt the benefits of it. Or could I be undermedicated at 125mcg? The nurse taking my blood last time said 125mcg is a lot for a little person like me to be taking!
So, in order to wipe the slate clean and start afresh with my care, I have since changed doctors and will be asking for the following at my first appointment:
Sex hormone profile - not just the testosterone, FSH, LH and prolactin my endocrinologist carried out but I would like to include the ones she has *missed* - the oestrogen, estradiol and progesterone. I am sure there are others in there...
Full mineral/vitamin profile - but excluding the folate, Vitamin D and Vitamin B12 which were done recently and including a full iron panel.
Repeat thyroid test - why oh why am I experiencing hypothyroid symptoms AFTER I take the Levothyroxine? When I reported this to my previous doctor they have told me they will end my script for Levothyroxine since they are under the impression I get no ill effects without the medication! Are they right?
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I went for a walk with a close friend of mine yesterday, we usually take our dogs together for a walk through the park and play with them. Anyway, he told me yesterday that he has to do this Thallium stress test. He seems so cool and calm about it that I can't really understand how is he managing to stay calm, I would freak out. I mean, I know it is a cardiac test and that it has something to do with the heart, therefore it is probably dangerous. Since I don't know any details, can someone describe this procedure to me?
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Now she's is going through speech therapy to bring it back to normal. I would like to find out any other possibility to treat her any part of the world for immediate cure
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