Eve and that darn apple......but seriously, yes I do have a Chiari and had decompression surgery in 2004. I have been fairly headache free except for the monthly woes. I went from severe explosive daily headaches to 2-3 days of that dull roar behind my eye. But in the last year or so, I have noticed an increase in frequency and severity, so am looking for new neuro doc.
What I have learned about Chiari or any type of neuro issue, is that it makes us much more sensitive to all the usual migraine/headache triggers and throw in the XX gene combo and it is even more complicated. MSG might cause a crippling headache for me when I am on my period but may not even notice it in the middle of my cycle, for instance.

And yes, I was waking up with headaches, but I was also nearly passing out from the pressure and pain when I laughed really hard, coughed really hard, or even with straining to lift something heavy. Childbirth nearly killed me because I was undiagnosed and had epidurals each time.

I guess what I am trying to say is you don't have to suffer. I am going to see a nurse practioner who prescribes bioidentical hormones. Since my decompression surgery, my hormones have been askew. I now have hypothyroid, low adrenal function and irregular periods. If I forget to take my thyroid meds, I get a horrible headache and it is gone within an hour of my taking my missed dose. When you think it is 1 thing causing that headache, it could be something else entirely.

Believe in yourself, if it doesn't feel right, it probably is not right, and you need treatment!!