Question: Hello,

I was diagnosed with a Chiari 1 malformation 2 years ago when I went in for an MRI because I had extreme difficulty swallowing. It was distending 6 mm. I had many of the other symptoms on list as well, but they tend to come and go, and the neurologist didn't offer any suggestions (I'm in Canada).

For the last 9 months I have been experiencing extreme nausea and no appetite at all. The nausea is so extreme that in February I was only able to physically consume 3000 calories over a 3 week period - and I vomited most of that up. In spite of this, I gained 12 pounds over that period (which have to be water).

My cortisol levels have been elevated (850 am, 600 pm) since October, but go down with a dexamethasone suppression test.

I am at a loss for what to do regarding the high cortisol. (I am doing absolutely everything possible in terms of lifestyle to keep it down).

Could the Chiari malformation be causing this issue? Do you have any suggestions on how I may be able to lower my cortisol? I am hoping my nausea, stomach issues and lack of appetite have to do with it's elevation.

The only changes I made were to work out LESS intensely (down to an hour of yoga a day, and about 10 km of outdoor walking or hiking per day, and 20 minutes of weight training 3x per week). I used to work out anaerobically for a couple hours a day for most of my life (which always made me feel better and increased my ability to think), but have been told that doing so just creates further stress on the body, therefore increasing cortisol production.

I'm really at a loss for what to do, and am tired and wired all the time. I can't concentrate, I lose words mid sentence, memory is dreadful, I have major rage issues, and I'm constantly nauseous or vomiting. (I have the classic headaches, neck pain, inability to tilt my neck back, dizziness, XXXXXXX shaking feeling, inability to regulate my body temperature, inability to sleep etc. as well), but those have been part of my life since I've been a child.

Could the Chiari malformation be causing the increased cortisol, or do you have any suggestions on what I could do to improve the situation? My body feels anxious all the time, but there is no psychological/cognitive component to it.

(I don't drink, don't consume caffeine, eat mostly organic, never any hormones in food, and consume a high protein diet (consisting of vega protein shakes, Whey Isolate and Cassien .... from hormone and antibiotic free animals).

Any thoughts, suggestions or guidance would be really appreciated.

Oh - I also have adult ADHD, and just began taking dexedrine again (I stopped in the Summer, as well as reduced the intensity of my working out then because it was suggested that I had hypoadrenia at that time - though my cortisol was actually a low normal)

Thank you so much!

May your spirit be filled with peace, your heart with love,and your body with health!

Thank you!

I appreciate you taking the time to respond.

Have a wonderful weekend!