Just trying to figure things out and forum people are always so knowledgeable! I would appreciate any yeses as well as nopes...

Can Chiari Malformation affect bladder emptying and/or ability to sense a full bladder? I had an MRI done in 2002 that showed CM (not severe enough to flag) when I was experiencing severe balance problems, nerve palsies (6th especially) and, at its worst, couldn't urinate and couldn't swallow.

I had more trouble with inability to urinate and/or sense my full bladder on and off, almost always at night, until a switch to prednisone, and then all was better! Until last Friday when I again started having balance problems (I think I veer more to the left, although any quick movements will have me tipping that direction). I no longer sense my full bladder in the morning. Blood pressure and pulse have been erratic, I'm dizzy when moving, had bad headaches.

In 2002, the uro consult felt that the bladder problem was related to the CNS problems, which they never found a cause for. My Endo wants me to increase my prednisone but even increasing it a bit caused headaches, shaking, and a wide pulse pressure (>50) at bedtime. Elevating my head for a while helped normalize my Bp and pulse and got rid of the headache.

Thoughts? I'm going for an MRI today but it will be horizontal, like all have been. I've read that they're less sensitive at detecting CM.

Thank you!