Circulatory Issues - Listen to your body

So far, here are the symptoms that I've found online that may be associated directly or indirectly to CCSVI (being researched or to treatment stage):

1. Neck, back, vein, brain, jugular, heart injury or defect
2. Multiple Sclerosis
3. Autoimmune diseases
4. Gout
   
5. Migraines
6. Sinus issues
7. TMJ
8. Trouble regulating temperature - cold hands, feet
9. Reflux
10. Dizziness, coordination issues, significant
11. Rheumatoid Arthritis, other arthritis, Parkinson's
    
12. Circulation issues - it makes sense that if you have small veins in one area (say your legs), they could be in your neck, heart, etc.
13. ADHD, Autism spectrum, ADD
14. http://www.rainiernaturalhealthclinic.com/ccsvi.html
15. Changing posture
16. Systemic fibrosis
    

Why haven't I heard of this? CCSVI was discovered in 2009:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CCSVI

Should I be checked for CCSVI?

I am not a doctor. I can only suggest you "Listen to your body". You may know already that your family has a history of heart problems, systemic fibrosis, small veins, etc. You may have played football or another impact sport (or carried a heavy backpack in the military) - any situation where neck compression could have compromised the bone structure or vein integrity. You may have been in an accident or had to hold your head in an unnatural position for too long at a job or in surgery/dental care. I have been searching for a way to reverse or at least stop the deterioration I can feel. My explanation to my husband was simply, "there's something wrong with my head - circulation". There were many signs along my path after the accident. Here are a few signs I did not recognize until this weekend, and how I think they relate:

1. Stimulants, drugs, alcohol, suppression meds - any drug or exciting food - seem to effect me more than other people. I am on 4 prescribed meds, and they stay in my system longer, so I have to take 1/2 the dose. Alcohol stays in my system for about 3 days (1 glass of wine). Motrin works for about 50% longer than supposed to before re-dosing. Controlled substances of any kind have a more dramatic and lasting effect on me.
   
2. An insatiable need to drink diuretics constantly. Soda, licorice tea, natural blood thinners. Many spices are natural blood thinners and I've craved them: garlic, tumeric - here is a list of blood-thinning foods you might crave: http://www.ctds.info/natthinners.html The problem is that reflux is associated with this condition, so everything in moderation...
   
3. Symptoms worsen as it gets colder (veins constrict) and exciting or stressful situations (more blood pumps to head, but is not necessarily draining). I skipped more get-togethers in the winter due to dizziness and excitement.
   
4. Anxiety driving (only sometimes).
5. Moving makes me feel better. In most asthmatics, exercise induces asthma. In my case, it is the opposite. However, my arms and legs are fatigued to a point where I can't do exercise right now, and it was recommended I stop by the chiropractor until treatment has progressed.
   
6. My coloring fades from green/pink to green skin.
   
7. I felt (and feel) from the first week of the accident that if I laid down I might have a stroke. There was a lot of pressure on the back of my neck - like someone was clamping down - especially laying flat on my back. Can not sit at computer for more than 20 minutes at a time. There is some suggestion that these are mini-strokes.
   
8. I previously had trouble taking aspirin, but since this issue take an aspirin whenever I feel lightheaded. I was treating for a stroke or heart issue without thinking about it. The symptoms slowed after about 40 minutes.
9. I have to move and change positions constantly. Resting hurts.
10. I am sometimes fatigued. It is especially bad during PMS time, as I load up on iron-rich food. All kinds of crazy issues come from this. Spacing out, feeling like blood sugar has dropped (although it is perfectly within normal ranges).
11. Upon seeing a rheumatologist, it was suggested I stick to veggies, dairy and meat++ - and avoid carbs. I felt somewhat better, but the dizziness and numbness. I was eating better more whole foods that went through my system faster. While I was not being influenced by sugar spikes, but the iron was coagulating in my head faster than ever.
12. Need to say goodbye, get affairs in order, finish unfinished projects and business, and "nest" in case I did actually have a stroke.
13. Sensitivity to light, sound, repetitive chores, repetitive sounds, music, tv, anything that overly stimulates
14. Gaining even a little weight adds pain
15. Putting myself in a warmer place (jacuzzi, in front of heater) great as long as it's not for too long. The veins open up. Unfortunately, for too long the heart starts pumping more and the issue worsens after 15-20 minutes.
16. Petting puppies and having kids around helps keep blood pressure down. These things make me happy.
17. Massage helps with circulation. Inversion table helps, also. If you don't have one of these, hang off of your bed from the waste down (secure yourself with your hands on the floor if needed, but best to let the neck decompress by hanging).

There are other relationships/clues that I did not experience personally, but seem significant:

1. Friends and family who smoke are constantly told to stop because of circulation problems. Bodies deteriorate faster from more free radicals. I don't care if someone smokes or not, but any circulatory impairments you can avoid seem like a good idea... Lighten your back pack (or your childs), carry a smaller shoulder bag, take frequent walks or stretch at work.
2. Friends with MS are told to eat only the minimal calorie requirements for the day and go on macrobiotic (whole food, 80% raw) diets. They weren't told why, but now I think the reduction in food reduces the iron deposits and slows the disease.
3. Friends with MS are also told not to sleep more than the required amount of time. Being stagnant for long periods of time can also be a problem.
4. Gout is a circulatory issue - I would lobby for MRV's of veins leading to the inflamed tissue.
5. For people with anxiety - you feel like you're having a stroke. Maybe you are...little tiny ones that push themselves through. Just a thought.

No matter the symptom - do not let your doctor miss or dismiss CCSVI as a possible cause for issues. This is so new (2 years old the first research was announced by Dr. Zamboni in Italy) that your doctor may simply not know about it. Your doctor may also have only read about it as an MS cure and do not know about the other applications.