Symptoms of ventral brainstem compression may arise from various types of basilar insufficiency and instability, often grouped under “cervicomedullary syndrome.” Common symptoms include:

• Blurred vision.
• Heavy headaches, often described as feeling like a “bobblehead” or a “bowling ball.”
• Migraines.
• Pressure headaches that worsen with Valsalva maneuvers, similar to Chiari malformation-related flow issues.
• Dysautonomia symptoms, such as tachycardia, heat intolerance, orthostatic intolerance, fainting, excessive thirst, gastric emptying issues, and chronic fatigue.
• Severe neck pain.
• Central or mixed sleep apnea.
• Facial pain or numbness, occasionally including trigeminal neuralgia.
• Impaired balance and coordination.
• Muscle weakness.
• Dizziness and vertigo.
• Visual disturbances, including double vision and downward nystagmus.
• Reduced gag reflex and swallowing difficulties (dysphagia).
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and hearing loss.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Paralysis.
• In severe cases, non-epileptic seizures have been documented.