The human body is so complex that no one knows when, to whom or what will happen. An American girl also has a very complex disease. His mind is slipping from its place. His head starts hurting when he laughs. The surprising thing is that it took 14 years for the doctors to correctly diagnose his disease. From this you can understand how rare his disease is.
When a woman has a headache, it becomes difficult to bear. (Photo: Jam Press)
brain moving towards spinal cord
Shelley had problems like headache, dizziness, fatigue, confusion and tingling in hands and feet since an early age. Symptoms like headache when laughing, inability to tolerate heat and sometimes blurred vision were also seen. Many times his condition became almost like unconsciousness. Once, while teaching in school, she felt so dizzy and hot that she collapsed in the bathroom and her fiance had to take her home. After this incident, MRI was done, which showed a 4 mm Chiari malformation. Doctors said that there was no need for surgery at the moment, but his problems continued to increase.
MRI revealed the secret
Even simple movements like bending, standing or moving suddenly became difficult. In the next MRI, doctors also raised the possibility that he might have pseudo-tumor cerebri, which is related to increased pressure of fluid in the brain. It is also suspected that his problems started from birth itself. Shelley tells that at the time of birth she was in the reverse position (breech) and her head was stuck near her mother’s ribs. She was delivered by emergency cesarean and had also swallowed a lot of amniotic fluid. At the age of six months he needed a hip brace. In childhood, his head seemed bigger than normal, but at that time the doctors did not take it seriously.
Doctors still searching for treatment
At the age of 14, a scan done due to his headaches revealed mild hydrocephalus i.e. accumulation of fluid in the brain. Treatment took place, but the symptoms never completely went away. In his youth, frequent fainting, uncontrolled fatigue and severe headaches became a part of his everyday life. Many doctors kept calling it only a weight issue, whereas even after losing 50 pounds, the situation remained the same. In January 2022, she suddenly fainted while standing up after an exercise class. Then he realized that it was not just a matter of fatigue or weight, it was something more serious. A clear diagnosis was finally received in November 2024. The lower part of their brain (cerebellar tonsils) is slipping down through the opening in the skull, putting pressure on the spinal cord and obstructing the flow of fluid. This is why they constantly have to suffer symptoms like headache, neck pain, dizziness, numbness and fatigue. At present experts are keeping an eye on Shelley’s condition. His case file is complex due to a combination of Chiari malformation, chronic hydrocephalus, large ventricles, and possible pseudo-tumor. Doctors are still working on the final treatment plan. Until a decision is made, Shelley is taking care of herself with lifestyle changes, rest, hydration, limited activity and caution. However, even simple tasks such as looking up, bending, or standing suddenly from sitting cause immediate symptoms.
