So - its not a pseudomeningocele but I finally have an answer!!

[LoriVA]

So almost two years after my decompression surgery and chasing answers and many painful treatments, drugs, etc. - looks like there is a light at the end of the tunnel!!  I had my appointment with Dr. Jon Weingart up at Hopkins on Thursday and he figured me out in all of about 10 minutes.  He looked at all my scans pre-op and post op (about 6 of them) and then asked me to give him my history.  After listening he explained that my pseudomeningocele that was there for about a year post-op had gone away and that it hadn't been that large to begin with.  Well I kind of lost about time after he said that - thank god I had my family with me listening but I did snap to it finally.  

So.....  it appears that I never healed properly after the surgery.  My neck muscles never adhered to the graft so I've pretty much been left with a hole in my head from the decompression.  That's why my neck hurts all the time, my head hurts all the time and I feel this what I call "liquidy sensation" if I press on the back of my head - which I guess I shouldn't do!!  So, Dr. Weingart is going to insert a titanium mesh plate onto the graft so my neck muscles will have something to adhere to, clean up the scar tissue and, god willing, I should be good as new!  I'm certainly not looking forward to another surgery but I am looking forward to getting better .... finally!  He said that about 10-15% of his patients used to experience this phenomena so he began using the titanium mesh 100% of the time to avoid this problem entirely.  So there we go!  

[Sexybare]

Oh ya not to mention I had the biggest indent in my head that I could put my finger in. It was always painfull to touch even. Now so far with the plate and repair, that is gone. Still really sore muscles, but they have a lot of healing to do. Hope thaat helped, Dana.

[Sexybare]

Since my first surgery aug 2011,I had headaches everyday, bad headaches that would last 3 days straight every week and a half. They were debilitating. I could not function. They would send me to er for lil relief. My neck hurt all the time. Especially from any movement includin walking. I was getting to the point dr diagnosed me with syncope, which is passing out. That came with movement of my neck. I was worse after first surgery than I was before it. And I was pretty bad off before. Than thank the lord I found a chiari specialist. Just 8 days post op and I am sore but hopefully on my way to a great recovery.

[lynnbrook177]

So happy for you to have finally reached a conclusion.  I wish you the best in your recovery!

[The_Marine_Corp_Brat]

Bless your heart! I am so glad you finally have answers!! I will be praying for you that all goes well with your surgery and for your surgeons!

[LoriVA]

Hi Sexybare - were you having the same type of symptoms - headaches (miserable pressure type, etc.) and neck pain.  

[Sexybare]

My first surgery left me with muscle damage as well. Just had my surgery revised and now have the plate. The sunken in part is gone. And the muscle repair is the sorest part but so glad I had it done. And think you will be feelin better too :)

[Viva001]

Very happy for you, & best of luck!

[LoriVA]

Thank you so much.  When he first said that I didn't have the pseudo - I almost lost it.  I thought oh no again we have to figure this out from square one but thank god, he knew what was going on.  I am so thankful.  I'll probably have the surgery in mid to late October and will keep you all posted.  I wish you the best of luck as well!!

[zygy2]

Congrats on an answer!!!!!  Hopefully you will recover quickly from the surgery and be able to move on without pain and issues!  I find out in a couple of weeks if I still have my pseudo!  Good luck with things! -zygy