Had decomp on the 7th....update and experiences like mine/

[PipelayerAndy]

Had my decomp surgery on the 7th, was just made aware of the condition over the holidays after an accident, also have a large syrinx at t1-t5.   Anyway,  Surgery went well, physically was much less than I expected.   Discharged home after four days and two days later was leaking csf all over my pillow and clothes.   Went back and had a lumbar catheder installed and was discharged after five more days once leak stopped.   Lots of mris and ct scans, dr. says everything is looking good so far.      My question is about the mental side.    I feel, different, hard to explain.    Kind of depressed, angry, driven but unmotivated.  I feel like Im losing my mind basicly.  Been having trouble focusing on a book or tv show and it makes me more angry.   I know its only been a short time and that the meds may to blame but was wondering if this is something I should seek help with or just wait and see if its me adjusting.    I keep telling myself to get outta my head and just focus but its pretty tough and aggrivating.   Ill write or pick up a guitar and i just cant get myself to be able to do what I I know I am capleble of and its frustrating.      Sorry for the wall of text from potential crazy man but thought maybe someone felt the same way or might have an idea?

[pamk5]

I had PFD on 4/20 and have been having some issues with horrible mood swings too.  I have blamed most of it on steroids that I am taking again due to some inflammation at the surgery site.  Are you taking prednisone or anything like that?  Sometimes that can cause horrible mood swings.  I am also a very impatient person by nature and am not having alot of patience with this recovery process.  

My doc explained a brain stem  phenomenon to me about moods and a decompressed brain stem.  He explained that now your brain stem is firing for the first time and that it can miss fire.  Causing lots of things to be hyper acute like all of your senses.  I can imagine that some of what you are describing may feel that way.  Apparently if this becomes an issue there are some meds they can use to slow this firing down until your body gets used to it.  

I hope this helps.  Good luck and hang in there!  Hasnt been long at all for either of us.  

Pam

[STL5]

I also had surgery on April 7th.  Forget about reading, my memory is currently bad, I do have trouble concentrating, I avoid loud noises, well you get the picture....  I am not really angry but do not have my usual high level of patience.  I can relate to what you are going through and from what others have expressed it just takes time.  Hang in there!

[PipelayerAndy]

@ citysmom yes exactly....the most inncocent thing will make me want to do unreasonable things,  just everyday sounds and sights...gotta laugh if i think about too much

[PipelayerAndy]

thanks for the reply.  yeah anger is the big one.  Always been so positive and optimistic.  Good to know its a common thing and will try to be patient and take baby steps

[selmaS]

  Hi...there r stages of recovery...and yes, u will feel diff, but as time goes so will most of those feelings....at a yr post op I felt like I still did not have the strength to do some things I wanted...2 yrs later just about I see a diff.....we continue to heal.

So take ur time...u r right it is too soon to xpect  much....I used audio books as I could not focus to read either...and it was a much better way for me to go about it.

Even when u begin to feel like u r up to doing more, don't over do it.....it is easy to think we r up to something when the meds help with the pain.

At month 3 post op some symptoms may return for a bit....and some depression at the  possibility of always feeling like this...but it does get better.

Chiari may not go completely away, but u can feel better, but u have to have patience and wait.

  "selma"

[citysmom101]

Also, don't discount that it could be a reaction to the pain meds. I always list Vicodine as an allergy, b/cs on it - I feel UNRESONABLY angry & severly/extremely agitated. Like to the point of doing someone bodily injury if they do anything (including breathing to often!), along with being unable to focus or concentrate.  just a thought from someone who has felt like what your are describing.

[redkim]

I can relate to the emotional symptoms.  I too was angry.  I kept wondering, why after coming through froma  successful brain surgery my attitude was so poor.  Concentration issues yes, I came back to work and even six months after had a really hard time focusing on reading and I was a great student who loved school.  I used to have an awesome memory.  I am artist and I did find I was able to start drawing a few weeks after and enjoyed it.  I would wait and see if this all improves.  I think I was pretty angry for over a year.