I am 23 yrs old and was just diagnosed with arnold chiari type 1 malformation with 8mm herniation. I often have headaches (more frequently then usual), stiff neck, trouble sleeping, my throat always feels like theres phlegm stuck in it, and lack of appetite. A few months ago my appetite was so bad that I dropped 12lbs, bringing me to 102lbs. My appetite since then increased after my doctor put me on appetite stimulators, but I still lack an appetite and often feel very tired. I just met with a neuro-opthalmologist and she gave me a referral to get an MRI of the cervical spine, and an MRI to check Cine fluid to rule out syringomyelia. She said that an 8mm herniation was significant, but I ve read all sorts of things on the internet. Should I be concerned? I m trying not to stress over it before getting the MRI s.