Thursday, 2 June 2016

Misaligned Atlas, vagus nerve and dementia

Collection of "rare" conditions

by Sabrina
(OR)
I am a 34 year old female who has had familial hemiplegic migraines since childhood inherited from my father. In the past couple years I was also diagnosed with Dandy Walker Malformation (no hydrocephalus), MTHFR genetic defect and Pots/Dysautonomia. There is also a strong possibility of EDS. My dad's father passed a couple year ago from Parkinsons and his mother recently developed Parkinsons. Is it possible for the arachnoid cyst in the posterior fossa to cause the Dysautonomia and EDS? Could there be some connection between these neurodegenerative diseases in my family? I seem to have inherited all kinds of seemingly rare conditions and trying to determine if there is a missing link because I am at a loss for where to go for health management.

Comments for Collection of "rare" conditions

Average Rating starstarstarstarstar
Jul 15, 2015Dandy-Walker, Migraines and Strokes
by: Dr. Flanagan

You're welcome Sabrina.

I don't know what type of technique the chiropractor you spoke to uses but the incidence of stroke from chiropractic care is extremely low in general. I would not recommend, however, that you get diversified rotary adjustments of the cervical spine.

I didn't recommend you get just any method of treatment, however. I recommended specific upper cervical, such as NUCCA, Atlas Orthogonal, Orthospinology, Blair, Kale etc., or the the Cox method of Flexion-distraction. These are some of the safest and most effective techniques used by chiropractors for cases like yours. They may or may not work in your particular case but they won't cause a stroke. The trick is finding a good doctor who is qualified and has plenty of experience.

On the other hand, you have a Dandy-Walker malformation, an arachnoid cyst, dysautonomia and hemiplegic migraines, which are sure signs of faulty craniospinal hydrodynamics. Migraines are also associated with chronic ischemia and possibly "mini" (silent) strokes. It is very likely that a malformation or misalignment of the craniocervical junction is the cause of the faulty craniospinal hydrodynamics and possibley ischemia of the vertebral-basilar arteries. The correct form of treatment could help.
Jul 13, 2015Thank you
by: Sabrina

Thank you for your response. It does make sense that pressure on the vagal nerve could cause Dysautonomia, especially since I have a lot of GI issues.
I have had complete spinal MRIs in addition to the brain ones and so far they have not found evidence of Chiari.
I do have one correction, it was my grandmother on Dad's side and she has Alzheimer's, not Parkinson's, but I was typing late at night so that was my error.
Also, I was told by a chiropractor that he would not do any work on me because there is a risk of stroke with chiropractic adjustments and I am already at high risk for stroke with the Hemiplegic Migraines.
I will look into your book and consider a consultation. Thanks again.
Jul 13, 2015Migraines, Dandy-Walker, POTS and EDS
by: Dr. Flanagan

Hello Sabrina,

The migraines, Dandy-Walker malformation and POTS/dyautonomia are most likely all related to faulty craniospinal hydrodynamics. The faulty craniospinal hydrodynamics could be due to a malformation or misalignment of the craniocervical junction (upper cervical spine).

In this regard, EDS is associated with ligament laxity and instability of the joints of the upper cervical spine that can cause cranial settling and a low grade Chiari malformations (cerebellar tonsillar ectopia), which can block blood and CSF flow between the cranial vault and spinal canal. Blockage of blood and CSF flow can cause hydrocephalus and Dandy-Walker malformations. It can also cause tension headaches and migraines.

It is unclear as to whether or not the Dandy-Walker malformation and the arachnoid cyst are the same entity in your case. A Blake's Pouch Cyst is a variant of Dandy-Walker that can look like and arachnoid cyst. In any case, an arachnoid cyst in the posterior fossa causes crowding the contents of the posterior fossa and that can push the brainstem into the foramen magnum. It can also increase pressure on the vagus nerve in the jugular foramen and cause dystonomia but it is not the cause of the EDS.

The fact that your paternal grandfather and great grandmother both had Parkinson's make me suspect there is an underlying issue in the design of the skull and craniocervica

There are two particular types of chiropractic care that are worth considering in your case. One is specific upper cervical. The other is cervical and full spine flexion-distraction. If you purchase my book throught this website you will get my email address and a complimentary consultation if you would like to discuss your case further and need help finding a professional.
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)