10 days post op, some new symptoms

[katie2014]

I'm 10 days post op- had decompression surgery and duraplasty with synthetic patch. Was in hospital for 4 days with no complications. 2 days after being home developed ringing in both ears, and severe sensitivity to noise. Called NS, he asked that I go to  ER to rule out any issues (he was at hospital at the time....so he could review my case) everything was good. NS read my CT, said patch was in tact,  no fluid leak, etc.... it is absolutely frustrating and driving me bonkers! White noise and drain it out a bit....but not sure I have read others with this postoperative. Is there other out there? Ideas as what to do?

Sleep: I am not sleeping; and I am not feeling tired...since surgery I have had no more than 2 hours of sleep at a time. I am not active just can't sleep. interested in if anyone else experienced this? I am not one to want a sleep aid, especially since I don't feel tired...more curious about this.

Fyi..in case it relates to my above symptoms....Meds....I stopped all pain meds 24 hours after the ringing started as a percaution....I was on dilaudid... only a small dose....and not on a regular regimin. I am not in major pain. I am taking Robin (375 about once a day) and top a max (200 twice a day) both of which I took prior to surgery consistently.

Location/NS/history:Los Angeles area...I used my local surgeon who had completed a fusion on my neck in 2005, he has done numerous chiari surgeries...so I felt comfortable with him. I'm a 35yo female 5mm malformation, no fluid leak, dx in 4/2011 decided on surgery because chiari headaches were progressively getting worse and severely impacting life with kids...simple case (i think)


Thanks in advance for anyone who may have some ideas or leads!

[katie2014]

I have until the 19th (3 weeks) but am thinking I will need a few more...only due to the ringing. I think if there were no set backs I'd be ready to back as planned. That being said...I think one should ensure they are 100% ready to go back and also be ready for a variety of set backs....I was not! I mentally was not prepared for anything to go wrong; which I think is making this even more difficult. Have a plan for longer, then if you go back sooner....your job (and finances) will be pleasantly surprised!

[selmaS]

  I never went back.....I had a few other surgeries due to a fall (Chiari related) so I used up all my FMLA time and was forced to take LTD...at which point u get terminated from ur job...so I didn't have one to go back to.

  Everyone is different as to how much time they will need...and some do not feel the need for the time, rush back and suffer set backs...

Wait and see what ur body needs u really can  not plan this ,,,,,JMHO

[Mel5056]

Question for you ladies....how much time did you take off work for,surgery and post op?  Not that it has any bearing i not decision for surgery but just wondering.

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

     ....10 days post op and no med....goodness u r brave....I could not have done that.

I think many of us do get the ringing in the ears and many NSAIDS and other meds can be the cause of it....mine comes and goes  as far as what is really annoying....it is mostly at night I have the white noise....and only on occasions do I have an issue during the day with all the other sounds around.

May I ask, did ur NS rule out ALL related conditions to Chiari B4 ur surgery? It is  possible that how u r feeling could be an underlying related condition....??

AS for sleeping, I found taking an antihistamine has helped me greatly....and using a body pillow to half lay on so not all my weight is on my side, but not on my back either....the nurses did this for me while in the hospital by rolling up blankets and it really helped me sleep better.

I also felt great immediately post op.....but it can change as ur body heals....do not let it discourage u, but also do not let feeling great allow u to over do it at this point u still need to avoid doing too much to help avoid set backs....just rest, rest and rest some more <3

[TinyRN]

Glad that information helped. I am glad to see that You have an appt with an ENT. that information can be beneficial. After my surgery I was feeling much better after the day 10 days as long as i didnt turn my neck all the way but yeah the sleep thing like i said was overrated. but if you are going to try melatonin I would try 3 to 6 mg (1 mg doesnt do anything). let us know how it turns out

[katie2014]

That definitely puts me at ease! Thanks!I was on antibiotcs...had planned to call the hospital in the morning to find out exactly which one and the dosage, to see if that can be the cause...My primary care dr. Is referring me to see an ent, I imagine that information will be helpful.  

I think the every 2 hours and repositioning my pillow is a great explanation, That may be exactly what is happening...i then just don't seem to go back to sleep for a few hours. Herbal remedies is a great idea! Maybe I'll start shopping now, since I seem to be wide awake! :) Appreciate the help! Amazed that despite the ringing in ears set back that I feel so great after 10 days! The neck pain was rough in the beginning...but is definitely tolerable now.

[TinyRN]

Katie-
   After I had my surgery last year I had ringing in my ears but not constantly I just placed it as the fluids redistributing itself. I am not sure on this behalf for you but were you taking any antibitiotics in the hospital like gentamicin ? Certain antibiotics if given too much of can having determental side effects such as this when given too fast or their (peak and troughs) levels are too high.
As far as the sleep thing goes. Been there definetly. I slept for two hours at a time and it was always a light sleep I never felt tired but had to always lie down afterwards and then just fell asleep, like you I stopped my vicodin and all my meds the 2 nd day I was home and only took the vicodin before the post op exam because of the long car ride with my neck. I had to sleep sitting up so everything was difficult but they prescribed me ativan 0.5 (I believe) for muscle spasms after surgery and I would use that at night so I wouldnt wake up in excruiating pain and it tended to work. Sleep will come back to you. but it appears to be very overrated for a while. I dont think I slept normal until like 3 months later when I felt comfortable lying flat again.
But you can always try herbal things such as melatonin to see if that helps you to sleep. I just found myself every two hours waking up to turn myself in bed and reposition my pillows. I wish you luck.