Anyone regret having PFD surgery?

[DAWGS]

Hi

I am looking possibly to have Chiari surgery in September of this year. And I wanted to ask honestly if there is anybody on this forum whom regrets having surgery. I know our goal is to try to be as POSITIVE as possible - and look at life optimistically but if there is anybody who wished they had either A - waited longer before having surgery or B - not had it at all I would be interested to know.

It is looking that if I have surgery it will be with Dr. Di at Cleveland Clinic...Thanks so much for all your time and sharing your story!

[lu7997]

I have not had the surgery yet but Dr Di is my NS  and I trust him  nerves before any surgery are normal. Just know he wouldn't donor if he thought there was a better way.  Good luck

[stephanie_C]

I was in your exact position a couple months ago. I know how nerve racking it can be to try to make this decision. I asked the same question to all the people on this forum and it is an overwhelming "no". Although lots of people here still have some trouble it really seems like the majority (and I mean a BIG majority) of everyone feels better than they did prior to their surgery. Although how much better is what seems to be so variable. In the end I just had to base my decision on the fact that I was starting to have new symptoms that I hadn't ever had before and the fact that my 2 and 1/2 year old daughter started saying things like "you can't play with me anymore because you have a headache?" I new that it was starting to not only affect (effect??) my quality of life but also my daughters.

Good luck to you!

[*Stormy*]

No regrets...although a lot of my symptoms are still present..I feel that is mostly due to not getting dx'd fast enough so therefore the surgery came a little too late for me. BUT..I do feel that it has stopped the progression...I believe I may have been in a wheelchair if not. With this condition, it is the only choice we have..so we have to take it and hope for the best. Just keep in mind that you COULD see some symptom relief but it is not guaranteed...but you don't want to keep progressing so that more damage is done.

Good luck in your decision!

Carolyn

[n40066]

hi dawgs!

i was sooo miserable before my surgery and my symptoms progressed very quickly once they started.  so much so, that i couldn't wait to have the surgery!!  and i have never had a single regret!  many of my symptoms are gone completely!!  you will know when the time is right for you to have the surgery...your body will tell you and you will be more than ready to listen!!  we are all different and handle pain differently.  i had had enough of the pain and was afraid of nerve damage if i waited.  my surgery was on 11/23/09.  i have only looked back to say thank you to my dr.  and i agree completely with everything selma said above.  we are all as varied with our symptoms as we are with the results of our surgerys!!  good luck, dawgs!!  hope this helps!  elizabeth

[selmaS]

Nope...I am happy...and I have heard soooooo many positives about Dr Di.

U do have to look at where u r with symptoms....and how it is affecting u and if it is progressing quickly....and then make ur choice. There r risks as with ne surgery  and u can have some issues u did not have b4 surgery...but u have to look at the bigger picture, if u prevent a syrinx ( if u do not already have one) and perm nerve damage, than it is a success.