anyone feeling significantly better after surgery?

[teeners]

it's hard to gauge how many improve after surgery and i was wondering if there have been members who come back and share their stories that are now symptom free? is it always a chronic condition that people suffer from for their entire life or can you be symptom free after the decompression surgery? it seems that so many people on here suffer from surgery complications or require multiple surgeries- is this normal for a chiari patient?

[selmaS]

We have had many members have successful surgeries that have gone back to their normal life some feel better then they have in yrs, those people tend not to come back and post, those that have issues come back as they still r looking for help and support....

But we have had many that have done well....my surgery was a success....I do have other related issues still untreated, but my symptoms from Chiari r gone....in 3.5 yrs I have not had a drop attack...so, I am well pleased.

We r all different and it depends on u what all is going on and if u have ne nerve damage as to how u will heal...and u must also look to see if u have related conditions b4 u consider surgery as it can and will affect how u heal and feel post op.

[lisa393]

Thank you, Viva001 for sharing your experience and information.  I just joined this community today and appreciate all the stories.  Some relatable and make me feel like I am not going through this alone.  I have been diagnosed for a year and have had symptoms since 2007. Recently deblitating and taking a toll on my career.  I have often questioned myself.  I wondered if the Headaches were in my head could my dizziness and weakness just be me being lazy. I justified every symptom (i asked myself if I could perhaps be exagerating the pain and maybe I have low pain tolarance) because the doctors couldn't find anything wrong until they did an MRI.  It is hard for people to understand the intensitsy of the headaches or I feel like I am on a cruies ships that keeps sailing and does not allow me to catch my balance.  I know many of us have cried ourselves to sleep, but it is the post like yours and so many others that have inspired me to help.  I hope that some of what I share my comfort others or let them pose a question to their doctor or specialist.  

[Viva001]

Selma said that those that are mostly recovered return to life--work, family, fun, whatever.
I had 2 surgeries 12 years apart, which would have been only one, knowing what my NS knows now.  It's a chronic illness for me, because I went undiagnosed & untreated for so long.
Many have other health problems (chicken or egg situation), so they will always have a chronic condition.

I learned a lot here, so I continue to post to help, to pay it forward, in gratitude to those who gave support to me.  But if it were spring, I might be out working in my garden.