Symptom check, advise please

[tink_0427]

So I've been not feeling too hot for the past 3 days (today is day 4). I have sent an email to my NS but I thought I would inquire as to whether anyone on here would be able to provide some insight at all.
I am 10 weeks post-op and have been doing very well until 4 days ago. I started getting pain to the left of my incision which makes the whole left side of my brain/head hurt. I am unable to get comfortable to sleep (sitting up or standing is my most comfortable position as long as my neck is perfectly straight) the pain is not being helped by my pain meds, I've been using ice with slight relief. Last night, well more like this morning, I noticed that I was having a sloshy kinda feeling in my head...like I was 'off' I am noticing my balance a bit off and I'm not feeling too stable on my feet. Also I notices it is swollen where the pain is on the left side of incision.
I've been taking it easy and not really doing much of anything because of the pain the last few days but that hasn't seemed to matter. I'm wondering if anyone else may have experienced this and if so what was the cause? Is it normal post surgery, especially this post surgery when I haven't been having many symptoms the past like 4-5 weeks that are anywhere in comparison to these?
Like I said I'm waiting on a response back from my NS, they opened about 15 minutes ago and are really good about getting back to me quickly. But it is Monday morning so I expect a bit of a longer response time. Usually I hear back within a few hours, so I'm expecting to hear back by noon.
Any thoughts, ideas, advise would be mucho appreciated...
Thanks ~ Jen

[RheaAnn]

I just wanted you to know that I had a CSF leak at 6 weeks post-op. For me, the pain and weird feelings came one day out of nowhere and progressively got worse over 2 days. I had a full and waterlogged feeling in my head and it hurt to go from a laying down position to sitting up and vice versa. When I changed the orientation in my head (including turning my head at all), I felt horrid pressure and pain.  I went in to the ER when the pain was worse and meds didn't help. It scared me enough to know it wasn't right. A CT showed the pseudo. But the pain meds did not even dull the pain and I started vomiting. Ice seemed to help more than the meds did. I hope you don't have this!

[linnielou232]

I'm so happy to hear you heard from your NS.  At least now you can ease your worry.  Just please take it easy, don't lift, bend, or pull.  This will help with your healing.   Thanks for letting us know everything is going better.
Linda :)

[tink_0427]

I heard from my NS and he said that he didn't  think I needed to be seen right now. He said for me to go back on my pain meds from surgery (I had tapered myself off of them after surgery) every 4 hours & to continue to use the ice as well and if I got worse to go to the ER. He wants to see me back in 2 weeks to see that I am doing okay.

[selmaS]

  Linny is right it does sound like it may be a leak....and u deff want to contact ur NS asap.....the swelling may be the start of a pseudo beginning to form....

U should never stop ur meds...could be part of the reason u have chills too....no way of knowing for sure, but those meds r usually strong and u need to taper off...not just stop taking them.....

  Take ur temp to make sure it is not infection.....

and do keep us posted.

[tink_0427]

Thank u Linda! About the swelling, no it doesn't feel like it is balloon-ish like u described. I thought the exact same thing when I noticed the swelling. It's not terrible swelling but it's definitely there and also it's super sensitive to the touch and any movement of my head/neck.
Also since I posted the original thread I have gotten sick (vomitted) because the pain got to me. I was holding off on my pain meds because I didn't want them to tell me to go to ER and then them not be able to give me any meds, so all I have taken today is an ibuprofen 800. Also I'm sitting here in sweats and a sweatshirt and I'm quite comfortable (ummm it's supposed to be 93 here today and it's 86 now) definitely not sweats weather. Plus I know me, I'm ALWAYS hot so to be chilly enough to wear sweats is a sign to me.
I'll keep u updated, and thanks for the well wishes!
~Jen~

[linnielou232]

I am wondering about the sloshy feeling.  The swelling is it when you feel it does it feel like it is swellen as like a ballon filling with water?  If so please tell the NS because I had this and it causes a lot of pressure in the head and I did have a CSF leak, but you being 10 wks post op this is highly unusual.  My NS told me this happened usually withing 3 wks of surgery, but just to be safe and if it does feel this way I hope they will see you just to be reasured.  Hope they get back with you.  Let us know.  Glad to hear your taking it easy.  Best medicine for recovery.  Let us know what they say O.K.   Best wishes.
Linda :)