Hip
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It is well known that there is an overlap in the symptoms of hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) and myalgic encephalomyelitis / chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). 1 This type of EDS is often misdiagnosed as ME/CFS.
This post examines the idea that a Chiari malformation might cause the ME/CFS-like symptoms in hypermobile EDS patients.
Chiari malformation is a condition that can occur with hypermobile EDS (ie, hypermobile EDS patients are at higher risk of Chiari). 1
A Chiari malformation is where brain tissue is pushed into the spinal canal, due to a skull which is too small or misshapen and thus squeezes the brain and forces it downwards. Chiari is usually a congenital condition, but asymptomatic congenital Chiari can be worsened by a physical trauma such that symptoms may then appear. 1
Now since a Chiari malformation can mimic the symptoms of ME/CFS, fibromyalgia or multiple sclerosis (MS), I was wondering whether when hypermobile EDS patients who have ME/CFS-like, fibromyalgia-like or MS-like symptoms, these symptoms might actually be a result of a Chiari malformation.
In other words: hypermobile EDS ➤ Chiari malformation ➤ ME/CFS, fibromyalgia or MS symptoms
The symptoms of Chiari malformation vary a lot from one person to another. Some people may not have any symptoms (asymptomatic); others have serious manifestations.
The general symptoms of a Chiari malformation include:
Chiari malformation will not show up on a standard brain MRI, according to @jeff_w in this post. It requires an upright flexion-extension MRI to see a Chiari malformation.
Patients with Chiari malformation may also have craniocervical instability. This is a structural instability of the bones that join the head and neck which can also lead to ME/CFS-like symptoms. It can be caused by physical trauma, or can be congenital.
A story of a patient diagnosed with ME/CFS who was cured after corrective surgery for craniocervical instability is found here.
Types of EDS include: hypermobile EDS (the same or very similar to joint hypermobility syndrome) which involves joint hypermobility; classical EDS which involves stretchy skin; vascular EDS which affects blood vessels and internal organs; kyphoscoliotic EDS which involves curvature of the spine and fragile eyes. 1
This post examines the idea that a Chiari malformation might cause the ME/CFS-like symptoms in hypermobile EDS patients.
Chiari malformation is a condition that can occur with hypermobile EDS (ie, hypermobile EDS patients are at higher risk of Chiari). 1
A Chiari malformation is where brain tissue is pushed into the spinal canal, due to a skull which is too small or misshapen and thus squeezes the brain and forces it downwards. Chiari is usually a congenital condition, but asymptomatic congenital Chiari can be worsened by a physical trauma such that symptoms may then appear. 1
Now since a Chiari malformation can mimic the symptoms of ME/CFS, fibromyalgia or multiple sclerosis (MS), I was wondering whether when hypermobile EDS patients who have ME/CFS-like, fibromyalgia-like or MS-like symptoms, these symptoms might actually be a result of a Chiari malformation.
In other words: hypermobile EDS ➤ Chiari malformation ➤ ME/CFS, fibromyalgia or MS symptoms
The symptoms of Chiari malformation vary a lot from one person to another. Some people may not have any symptoms (asymptomatic); others have serious manifestations.
The general symptoms of a Chiari malformation include:
Source: here.Occipital headaches (felt near the base of the skull and may radiate to cause pain in the neck and shoulders).
Abnormalities affecting the eyes including: double vision (diplopia), abnormal sensitivity to light (photophobia), blurred vision, involuntary eye movements (nystagmus) and pain behind the eyes.
Vertigo, dizziness, ringing in the ears (tinnitus) and bilateral hearing impairment can also develop.
Additional symptoms associated with a Chiari malformation may include poor coordination and balance problems, muscle weakness, difficulties swallowing (dysphagia) or speaking (dysarthria), palpitations, fainting episodes (syncope) and tingling or burning sensations in the fingers, toes or lips (paresthesias).
Sleep disorders, especially sleep apnea and chronic fatigue, have also been described in individuals with Chiari malformations.
Chiari malformation will not show up on a standard brain MRI, according to @jeff_w in this post. It requires an upright flexion-extension MRI to see a Chiari malformation.
Patients with Chiari malformation may also have craniocervical instability. This is a structural instability of the bones that join the head and neck which can also lead to ME/CFS-like symptoms. It can be caused by physical trauma, or can be congenital.
A story of a patient diagnosed with ME/CFS who was cured after corrective surgery for craniocervical instability is found here.
Types of EDS include: hypermobile EDS (the same or very similar to joint hypermobility syndrome) which involves joint hypermobility; classical EDS which involves stretchy skin; vascular EDS which affects blood vessels and internal organs; kyphoscoliotic EDS which involves curvature of the spine and fragile eyes. 1
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