Couple of Questions and a picture

[christianirc]

Thank you for letting me ask these questions.  

1. I have sleep apnea and I get that same "I can't breathe" feeling when I take pain meds.  I try not to take them often but sometimes I just have to.  Does anyone have any solutions for this?

2. I hope to go back to inpatient rehab after the surgery so I can try to start walking again.  I've been wheelchair bound for six months now (that is if any NS ever agrees to surgery.... but I'm not being fair, I haven't seen my second opinion yet.. that is June 6th).  Is going right into physical therapy expecting too much?  Would trying to walk and doing physical and occupational therapy be too much strain after that kind of surgery?

3. How long until you can wash your hair? lol.  If I am in rehab around other people I don't want gross hair... especially if it has nasty stuff from surgery in it.

Also, I've posted a picture from my MRI in my profile.  I have a 15mm ACM1

[selmaS]

  Hi...I saw ur pic as well, as zygy said it does look very tight in there.....as to how long u have to wait to wash ur hair etc and begin to walk.,...all depends on how u do...and how u r recovering.

I could not bend to wash my hair or stand the idea of the water hitting my head in a shower.,...the easiest for me was to lean at the kitchen sink and my DH washed it for me....plus, my hair was was left was long and tangled, I could not hold my arms up long enuff to do nething neway.....so it was the best choice for me.

Post op, I did not sleep in bed, as my DH is a thrasher and I did not want to get hit, plus I needed to be more  on an incline than flat....and even the little bit of an incline I have my bed for reflux was not enuff....so I slept in the recliner in the living room it worked great for me.

My NS had a PT visit with me while I was still in the hospital and we did neck exercises and they had me walk b4 they would release me, I am sure the PT's that work with ur NS will take in consideration how long u r in a wheel chair and set up the appropriate PT.

   "selma"

[zygy2]

Looked at your MRI, that is quite tight in your head!!!    Looking at your MRI it looks like you really need the surgery I would get that second opinion as soon as possible.  I didn't realize you are not walking, I would be finding a third, fourth and fifth opinion if I was you!  Someone one will help you, the is just such a tight squeeze back there it just has to be causing so many issues!

I would think they would want to get you moving again as soon as possible but the surgery did take a lot out of you.  I remember when they got me out of bed the first time I could not believe how hard it was to walk.  I had been fine and now baby steps were a challenge.  I am sure they would find the right pace to get you moving again.  It is a long process no matter what so starting from a wheel chair has to make it even harder and longer.  

I could not wash my hair for FIVE terrible days... the stink was so bad!!!!  I really though my husband deserved an award just for being willing to sleep in the same bed with me.  It was dirty and gritty and disgusting.  For my next surgery later this month I am planning on putting many pillow cases to cover my favorite pillow and keep it safe :)  

Very interesting MRI, you should look around at other profiles and you will see how crowded your head really looks.  Mine was stuffed in there but was still a lot less than your crowding!