Hi

[caza1118]

Hi all I have been loitering here for months. I'm Caz i'm a 26 year old mother of 2 I was fairly fit until I had a episode of numbness and collapsed in august 2014 (during a 6k run). So I saw my GP who ordered a mri the gp spotted the chiari straight away and refered me to a NS with 6 month wait. However my symptoms progressed really fast from October so they managed to get me fast tracked. So on 3rd November 2014 I went to see a NS. He confirmed my Chiari and bad syrinx. He did the normal neuro obs and was so concerned about my numbness in my legs I was told to go home and pack my bag and come back the following day to be admitted for surgery on 5th November or the damage could be irreversible. So I did and surgery went really well. Although hasn't totally cured me obviously. I have my follow up on Monday any questions I should ask?

[selmaS]

  Many feel wonderful immediately post op....but as time goes on we do have some symptoms beginning to resurface...generally around 3 months post op....this is just the nerves healing...so that could be what you meant by honeymoon? not sure....but it is not uncommon to find yourself a little depressed as the benefits seem to have stopped or reversed....just remember this is temporary and it will get better....the nerves will over react as they heal....and the sensations can be unsettling at times...

WE all describe our post op symptoms or sensations a little differently....but always discuss them with your Dr...especially if they are not short lived or cause a lot of pain, discomfort ...as that could be something other then the nerves healing...especially if nausea , vomiting or passing out are involved.

[caza1118]

Thanks, yeah I do feel back to normal actually better than normal. But I am aware I over do it sometimes and god do I regret it. Is it normal to have this honeymoon type period? Just wondered is it normal that I hear a noise when I yawn like water rushing from the back of my head? As I said I didn't have any warning of what was happening so I'm so new to all this i know some of you have been going through it for years.

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum...and to the zipperhead club!!

I agree with the above poster that you will want to know the status of the syrinx.....Have you had a post op MRI? Some Drs will do it early on in recovery when a syrinx was present....or other issues...some wait when things seem to be going well....

You will also want to know how your incision is healing....and know your limitations.....some Drs will give you a timeline of what you can do when....like anything, we do not fit into timelines as we are all different...as I am sure you know from having children....no 2 are alike or develop the same so they can not be on a time line as to when they should be doing this or that.....listen to your body....rest, rest and rest some more when you feel the need...and keep your neck moving....do the exercises to keep the muscles from getting tight or scar tissue from forming.....

Allow others to help for now....as the above poster mentioned over doing it can cause set backs...do not rush things....let them happen in their own time.

[baccalynnwv]

You are still pretty early in your recovery. Especially if you had a syrinx. I have no had my surgery yet - so this is just coming from all of the people I have talked to on these forums. At your follow up appointment, hopefully you will get the good news that your syrinx is shrinking! Since you feel you are doing fairly well, I bet that it is.

Just, still keep in mind you are healing. This was brain surgery. Its going to take several more months for you to feel close to normal again. Don't over do it right now, even if you feel like you are up to the tasks at hand. You don't want to set yourself back.

I really don't know any follow up questions. But I would be sure to have a list with you - maybe kept on your cell phone - of the questions or concerns you have throughout the next days till your appointment. That way, you wont forget to ask.

Maybe be sure to ask when your doctor feels you could return to exercise, and what types.

welcome to the community.