1 Yr Post Op and Having Some Trouble....

[rmlyonsfamily]

Since our move to AZ I haven't been on much.  DH is almost 1 year post op (August 1st).  He has done well until the last month and is having some strange things going on that have came to a head over the last 24-48 hours.  Need some thoughts...

First, he has had 4 or 5 episodes of disorientation.  All of which have happened at night when he's sleeping.  He wakes up very confused of his location...  even in our own home.  One night, he wasn't even sure who I was and started pushing me away.  Lasts about 5-10 minutes until I can get him redirected and settled down.  Odd thing is...  he remembers some of these episodes the next day.  He claims they are because we are in a new house (been here 6 months now)...  I'm not buying it.

He's had a few more headaches over the last few months too.... but he was brushing the off.  Until now...

The last few days he has had a headache that has progressively gotten worse.  It's eerily reminiscent of his pre-surgery headaches.  Nothing is working to dull the pain, dizziness, haziness, etc.  He even called in sick to work last night (he goes to work vomiting if he has to!) and today has been more of the same.  He claims the head isn't quite as bad, but still says it's a 6-8/10 on the pain scale.  He's also having more numbness in his hands and dropped his favorite coffee mug shattering it.  Yikes!  Says his head feels "hollow and numb"  In the last few hours his balance is for crap!  He nearly fell once and finally decided to go to bed.

I work with our family doctor and talked to him face to face today.  Our instructions from him are if it worsens - go to Barrow ER tonight.  If no better in the morning, go to Barrow ER tomorrow morning.  If he starts to improve, we can wait but they want to see him early in the week and they'll schedule an MRI to check on things.  The concern being the syrinx may be getting larger (he didn't have a shunt done with surgery last year, they opted to let it drain on its own).

DH is still holding on to hope it's a bad migraine and all the worry is for nothing, but he does recognize it's pretty bad right now.  :(

Thoughts??

Advice??

[rmlyonsfamily]

Mike was admitted to St. Joe/Barrow Neurological Institute today.  We will know more tomorrow.  

[selmaS]

  Please keep us posted on what the Drs say as that seems to be the best step for now...especially since he is not on meds that could be the root of this....

  There is no way to compare what is going on with him with ne one else either as we all are different and our body will react/respond just as differently....

Good Luck at Barrows.

[jiggle93]

Hi Lisa! I can pm you because I don't think this site allows me to post the links here.
Jiggle

[desertstorm2009]

I'm in Buckeye and sure could use some support. Have Chiari, and need the surgery. You have had it? If so ease share your experience with me... Lisa

[jiggle93]

Hi! I had no idea that you moved to Az. I am in Queen Creek and have a pretty good support group here. If you need anything or any info, please let me know. If I cant answer or provide the info you need, I'll  ask around for it! So very sorry that this is all going on. I know the stress from a move tends to do a number on us.  Please let me know if I can be of ANY help!
Jiggle

[rmlyonsfamily]

Ha!  Thanks Lisa.  I work in the medical field so that's probably where it comes from.

[desertstorm2009]

The problem is you don't know what's going on.... In light of the rapid neurological deterioration he should be seen ASAP. You give a GREAT medical history by the way. In this instance you are far better off on the safe side. I would take him to Barrows and request Dr Zabramski. PM me if you need anything.... Lisa

[rmlyonsfamily]

No - he's not on any meds other than his Allopurinol (gout) and Metoprolol (tachycardia).  Same meds he's been on for a year.  

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome back !! So sorry ur DH is having issues at this point post op.

I do feel this is familiar but not with decompression surgery or chiari....I have to ask does he take ne meds? Nething to help him sleep?

I ask this as my father has this reaction with his meds to help him sleep, he is very disoriented and many times does not recall, and some times he does...ur description sounds so much like him .....so even if it is not a sleep med,. do look at ne meds he may be on,.

Other then the meds as a possibility has he been doing nething different?