Arm numbness when waking after decompression

[jenniferk86]

Ok, so its a month from decompression and I feel great but, I have stopped icing my neck and it no longer hurts really I am doing fantastic.I have never had any issues with the incision site whosoever and I am almost completely pain few except for my ankle and my hips which are two separate issues from the chiari...si joint dysfunction and peroneal tendinitis....which is a miracle for me!!

But for the last week or so I have been waking up with both arms completely numb the left side even more so and my hands even swell.

I sleep on my back and have had a sleep study done and they told me that I do stay on my back, and I wake up on my back, even laying down I get numb, so I know its not cause I'm laying on one of my limbs, plus usually both limbs go numb....has anyone experienced this? Is it something to worry about?

[selmaS]

  I have a feeling ICP is like chiari in that there may be diff guidelines to determine a dx..I read that ICP is nething over 25...u r high at 24, but just like chiari they say it has to be 5mm to classify and even then some say it is mild...it all depends on who u talk to dr wise.....

It is sooooooo frustrating.....

  Praying they capture info with this MRI they can use to help u feel better

                      "selma"

[jenniferk86]

but I am concerned because last time i went in with a horrible painful headaches and my pressure was at 24 which is really really high and they did a ct scan and an mri and it didnt show and I was in the hospital for 4 days and they almost released me without doing anything and I insisted and then demanded them to do a lumbar puncture and that is the only way they found out I had high pressure.. I am just nervous they are going to miss it again.

[jenniferk86]

i havent gone in yet i have an appointment tues for a mri

[selmaS]

  Did they check ur optic nerves?

Then tend to swell......

    "selma"

[jenniferk86]

i have pulsitile tinnitus and visual issues. so I am going in for an mri... but I dont know why as the mri didnt show anything the last time I had high pressure....

[Samanthab259]

I had swelling after my first decompression. I looked lilke shrek. I found out it was the meds i was taking.

[selmaS]

  True, visual issues would arise as well as pulsatile tinnitus, and swelling of the optic nerves would be something  testing would show.

But for the most part it is HA's and pressure...but not everyone will have those.

  "selma"

[jenniferk86]

You do not have to have headache or pressure to have icp developing or have it and I think I actually may be developing it again.  I'm going to call dr oro tomorrow if I'm not feeling better

[selmaS]

  well it could be a disk like  cash said...I do have a bulging one in my back as well.....

  The reason I asked about HA's and pressure was the possibility for ICP developing....but with out that pressure I doubt that.

I will say this, how u feel now is  pretty normal to feeling great....just do not over do it...continue to go slow u r still in the early stages of recovery.

   "selma"

[lydelia]

I agree with Cash. It is wonderful to hear that you are doing so well. :D

[cash242]

I have this problem due to my ruptured disc and herniated discs.  I know you said you had that problem it may be that is what is causing it.  I notice it more at night and my arms ache terribly.  I am so happy that you are feeling so well that is amazing!!!

[jenniferk86]

no.  I feel amazing.  like better than I have ever felt in my entire life.  I feel no depression any more and no headaches, no more pain or joint aches no more swelling in my body and no more pressure or anything like that like it was before except for the ankle and now the arm numbness when waking I am completely healed after surgery !

[selmaS]

  Question...do u have increased head pain/pressure too?

Just a thought......

[selmaS]

  Hmmmmmm......did u talk to ur dr about this?

  Can u lie only part way on ur side...so not all ur weight is on ur side but u r not completely fat on ur back either...I do this  as my shoulders pop in and out of joint when I am on my side,. I put a big pillow or a rolled up blanket behind me so I am on it and my weight is not on my side...but I am not flat...it is more comfortable that way....

BTW where do u put ur arms while u sleep?

   "selma"

[jenniferk86]

I have tried sleeping on my side as well still numb

[selmaS]

  I would have to agree with lydelia....try lying on ur side, and put something behind u to keep u from rolling onto ur back....

  Also lying on ur back are u lying flat on ur scar as well? I was not able to do that, still don't....I prefer lying on the side.....I had issues with my arms going numb lying flat on my back...I thought it was my lower back issues....I tried using all diff types of pillows , the best  thing for me was lying on my side as I was told in the hospital with something to keep me from rolling.

   "selma"

[lydelia]

I haven't had a decompression, but I have had that symptom for awhile, and now I don't. I went through a spell of no matter how I slept, I wound up with my arms and hands being numb. It eventually passed. It might be something to mention to your neurologist though. Have you tried sleeping on your side or something? Maybe the pressure from your back sleeping is compressing something that is still a little inflamed from surgery.