Chiari 2yrs post op

I work 40 hrs week at hospital. I come home and eat, then go to bed because I am sleepy and exhausted. Tried joining a fitness place n I have so much trouble with nerve pain n my left leg plus MRI showed I have 2 herniated discs so my dr had me to stop going.

Gaining weight n that seems to just add more nerve pressure n depression.

Still have bad headaches. Something hurts every day. Quality of life is not do well. Definitely could b worse though.

N e suggestions???

[selmaS]

  Hi...we do have a Chiari forum here on MedHelp...and u may want to join us there : )

http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Chiari-Malformation/show/257?camp=msc

I am also a Chiarian and post op since 2009 and do not could not work let alone 40 hrs a week.....

U may need to adjust what u do.

   Please join the Chiari forum
     "selma"

[selmaS]

I see they moved ur post to the Chiari forum. Welcome : )

Herniated disks could cause a CSF obstruction, I am dealing with this right now too.....
I really do not know how u go to work 40 hrs a week....

Outside of the possibility that the disks r the only issue, there could be other reasons going on....when u had ur MRI was it of just the spine, or have u had a recent brain MRI?

    "selma"

[2009Zipperhead2009]

I have had several CT n MRI post op. However; I was thinkn same thg. I called Med Rec n they said it's been a year since last one.

I had to have 3 surgeries!  2 emergency surgeries. Spinal fluid started squirting outbox my head through my staples. Then at my check up visit they immediately sent me fir another CT n leakage again inside n so I was headed down for 3rd surgery. Oh...went blind as well for several weeks!  People here where I live have never heard of Chiari before so it's very hard for ne one to know what I went through n am still battling. But God is good!!!  :)

[selmaS]

  CSF leaks r not uncommon...what type of dura patch did they use?

Sometimes it is the type of patch......

Have u ever been tested for Ehlers-Danlos?...it could explain the disk issues and the CSF leaks if it was a rejection to ur patch.

  I also wonder if ur skin was tearing where u had the staples...those with EDS should not have staples....

   Sorry I am throwing so much at u...but it is so diff to know, and it is good to check it all out.

   "selma"

[2009Zipperhead2009]

Not site on patch. They took out new way of decompression n started all over on third surgery. I was then cut from top of head down to c-spine. I do know I have an upside down triangular patch sewn in. They shaved both sides of my skull n back part of first vertebrae, moved a muscle n heated under brain n order to place back n skull. I was very ill and n bed for 3 months.

There r says I feel like my eyeballs r go n to pop out of my head or my head is go n to explode!  Especially when a front comes n. Migraines usually happen.

Thgs could b worse.   :)

[2009Zipperhead2009]

Thx Selma!  

[selmaS]

  Sorry I do not understand what type of decompression u had?

      "selma"

[2009Zipperhead2009]

Selma ~

How do u place a pic on ur profile?

[2009Zipperhead2009]

Chiari Malformation Decompression

[2009Zipperhead2009]

I really thought post op third surgery I was leaving this world. I could c my stats n they were not good. Pain was EXCRUCIATING!!!  When I closed my eyes they would say breathe, ur not breathing. It was HORRIBLE!!!!!!!!!!   :"""(

[selmaS]

  There r diff types of decompression surgery for chiari....this is y I wanted to know if u had a dura patch, and if so what type.

Unfortunately Chiari is life altering and surgery is not a cure.

    "selma"

[2009Zipperhead2009]

I'm really not sure on type of patch name. I just know he cut the dura lining n sewed n an upside down triangular patch to allow room for brain. Surgery took hours n hours.

[selmaS]

  I see u had Dr Tew...he is very well respected..and I would suggest u call and ask his office for a surgical report..this tells u exactly what was done during surgery and what type of patch...and type of surgery  was done.....

Many times there r "surprises" once they r inside and have to repair more or less then originally planned.
Types of dura patches are bovine, synthetic , cadaver and ur own skin.

There are also diff types of decompression. And the type of surgery  can play a role in how u recover.

  Find out more info

It is possible that u had some perm nerve damage since u had to have 3 surgeries....

  All NS's do these a little diff then each other...so, it is best u get more info from ur Dr.

      "selma"