Anyone with trouble walking/ wheelchair bound

Hi everyone! I was juster wondering if anyone out there has had trouble walking because of chiari, or if anyone has been wheelchair bound because of it. I am post op and basically learning to walk again and I am having a lot of trouble with it and would love if anyone that has had the same or similar experience to chat with about the frustration and ways to deal with all of it. It is so overwhelming!

[selmaS]

Hi..I am so sorry u r having a rough time post op...I did have to use a walker for a while after surgery, but I did not have the issues u appear to be having.

Do u know what issues were found during surgery?....what has ur NS said about this post op problem?

"selma"

[blondeballerina07]

The problems, weakness and tremors began before the surgery, the surgeon said that is was a difficult situation to assess before surgery. I guess I expected everything to be magically better when it came to the walking aspect and now am facing the harsh reality.

[blondeballerina07]

In my follow up appointments he has said I am making really good progress and he is still very hopeful for a full recovery but he expects it to take quite a while before we get to the point of walking with a walker.

[selmaS]

Well we all heal at different rates...and normally it can take up to 2 yrs to fully heal....I am 16 months post op and still noticing  changes...I do feel stronger..but still have to watch what I do and how much I do.

I use a cane....and have for over 10 yrs...long b4 my dx of chiari,.

I pray u heal swiftly.....

"selma"

[*Stormy*]

I had walking issues but not to the extreme that it sounds like you are.  I thought my gait would be all better too after the surgery and sadly that wasn't the case. I did see a few immediate improvements right after but not to the extent I had hoped. What I want to pass on is that it really DOES take time..from my initial surgery I really didn't see any more improvements till I passed 7 months post op. Even at that, now that I have been cleared as far as the surgery, I will have to go to a rehab specialist and basically re-train the way I am walking. I feel confident that with that help I will gain better function...in the meantime I will continue to wait and heal. I have faith that the same will happen for you in time:)

Take care
Carolyn

[blondeballerina07]

Thanks Carolyn. I am trying really hard to be patient and I have seen a few initial improvements but it is so very frustrating to not be able to do things for myself sometimes especially when no one cared to help for so long. I am doing neuro rehab 5 days a week and hope that the doctors are right and tat it will all get better with time!

[mrsmith60]

no no problem here