post op - swallowing

[TinyRN]

I had my decompression in May 2012. Since the surgery I have suffered with joint pain occasionally and also headahces. I have cut back on my Fioricet because I was having rebound headaches and I take about once a week now if that. I have been trying to manage diet and caffeine and limit my activities to better control my diet. Before surgery I had a sleep study that noted 2.5 seconds pauses (not enough for qualification for CPAP), I have been having more trouble sleeping like prior to my surgery and it is becoming stressful because I am going for my Master's Degree. Before my surgery the doctors did talk about the chiari causing swallowing or gag reflex issues but I only noticed myself having the water ocassionally "go down the wrong hole" and now I keep getting food caught in my throat, kinda like that pop corn kernel that gets stuck up there and bugs the heck out of you... but with most foods, it doesnt matter the consistency. I am feeling fatigued again and wondering if others have gone through the same. I see my primary whom has done his dissertation with syrinx and chiari on tuesday and then I will set up my appt to see my NS in Miami but would like some help or discussion about similar occurences if anyone can help. thanks in advance.

[selmaS]

  Hi...I had the loss of gag reflex but it has come back....I also had issues with swallowing b4 surgery and had a swallow study done....nothing found, I really feel it is a neuro issue and not physical.....so much harder to pinpoint.

Since u r having sleep issues it could be ur sleep apnea may have changed.....something to consider reviewing....

It could also be the stress of school....

Another possibility  when reading ur thread is GERD or Silent Reflux u get the sensation of a lump in the throat, this is often referred to as LPR....and Silent as u do not always have the typical heart burn symptoms.

Reflux is common for us chiarians....so another possibility to look into.

Many of us tend to have periods of fatigue even post op as it can take up to 2 yrs for ur nerves to heal...just bcuz the incision is healed does not mean u r inside....so listen to ur body u just may be doing too much...

Look at ur vitamin and mineral levels to make sure that is not part of ur fatigue.


Hope this is helpful...good luck Tuesday <3

[TinyRN]

opps meant May 2013...