radio therapy rhyzotomy

[flerrie]

I was diagnosed years ago. Few years ago had my first radio therapy rhizotomy to relieve pain. This was wonderful and I stopped using pain meds. in 2011 had decompression operation. Not too painful, due to rhizotomy effect. After op also much better - less pressure and no pain meds. However have to look after yourself. Pressure will be made worse by over tiredness, alcohol, stress or anger etc. I would like to ask  how other chiarians experience mood swings and emotions. I found recently that I battle with the chaos and noise of family and small kids visiting, the constant disobedience or busyness and constant talking around me. Seems to build up stress and not at all good. Have a great day. Flerrie

[flerrie]

Hi Kurt, the rhyzotomy makes all the difference. It takes all the pain out of the pain. You will still have pressure, tiredness etc but will need no pain meds and will function 100% better. It changes me from just about a ghost to very much alive. Combined with mirtazapine it adds to headache control as well as works against depression and the lamicton  helps balance and dizziness. It changes the quality of life completely. You will still have battles but it does make life more livable. I have a very good quality of life despite the problems I wrote about previously. Regards. Flerrie

[KurtPT]

I'm really interested to try some of the things to mentioned.  I know for me that there are times that the pressure and pain really kick up, and thinking about it, the most common time is when I get home from work to three little ones under the age of 5.  Pretty much the definition of over stimulation there!

As for the Mood swings and emotions, I fight with that a lot too.  At times I can go from happy and excited to numb to life.  I wasn't sure if this was Chiari related, caused by meds or from a brain injury last year.  I've worked with my wife to get her to recognize the swings when they happen and help me to get through them or bring me back to reality.  Sometimes though, they just have to run their course.

Thanks to both of you!

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

Over stimulation is the issue....I have issues with that as well....but I am almost 5 yrs post op and it is slowly getting better, but I never could stand too many things going on at once...TV on, people speaking loud while I am trying to read....ugh....no matter how often I say I can not deal with all of it at once, they all still try....lol..

So I will say wait, I get the remote and mute the TV, and I say now, please if I am reading  ask me to stop as u have a question for me so I can focus on what u r saying.....

For me it is avoiding it as much as possible....and reminding those that do not get it no matter how many times I tell them....it can be frustrating for us, but for those around us as they just do not understand as it does not bother them....sigh....

We know what will affect us so we have to learn patience and know what to avoid....and do the best we can...