Almost forgot

[Tharris85]

I did have one question I forgot to ask.. I know there is a whole list of things that post op you are not allowed to do but Just how safe is the patch? I know it's not hard like your skull so what happens if I hit the back of my head? I hadn't really thought about that until I started back to work last week and my boss asked me if I was worried about that and made a joke that he would wear a helmet. Now he has me worried. And my neck is still pretty soar and seems to pop or crack all the time. Is that normal?  Also, I can't seem to find the list anymore of things post op that you can't do. Could someone please tell me how to find it? Thanks!

[selmaS]

  U went tanning?...lol...

Many do have the popping and it seems to be a "normal" issue/sound post op....were u dx'd with EDS? Was it ruled out? Just wondering if that plays a part...

But the popping could be the muscles pulling the neck in diff directions, they get tight so popping will occur, this is y it is so very important to do the neck exercises as Linnie mentioned above...keep doing them, this helps loosen the muscles and helps prevent scar tissue from forming.

In general ur head should be ok, obviously we do not want to do activities that can result in us falling...or being bumped around ( amusement rides)....
so as long as u r careful u should be ok, nothing to stress over.

[Tharris85]

I don't mean I'm worried about hitting my head at work I just meant in general. Lol.. I already hit my crown once hard when I was getting out of the tanning bed and I had a headache for 2 days and that area was so soar. Is it ok for my neck to be popping all the time? I know a lot of questions But i forgot to ask my dr all of this.

[linnielou232]

So happy to hear you have a sitting positiion, but do your neck exercises while at work so you can keep those muscles relaxes.  Even having an ice pack or heat pack with you.  Yrs ago her in MI I worked for telepnone co as a service observer it was a very interesting job.  So happy to hear you have one you enjoy.  I did hit the back of my head afer my 2nd surgery and I was worried when I was getting out of the car, but everything was o.k.  just be a little more careful, but sounds like you have a safe job so happy to hear your back at it.  
Linda :)

[selmaS]

  Not sure what u will hit ur head on if u r sitting, but I also have a dura patch made from my own pericardium (skin) and have not had a problem.

U may be a bit sensitive in that area as u r still healing, and I would not advise doing things where u might fall or bump ur head, but just working while sitting u should be fine...

U may have an issue with being tired, and stress can cause symptoms to resurface as many times they do as we heal.

[Tharris85]

I am a manager at an AT&T call center and it involves no physical labor at all. I am full time but since I missed 2 months I missed a lot so they have me in a training for 2 weeks and all we do is sit there right now for 8hrs and I feel really good other than some pain/stiffness in my neck. Is it dangerous to have the patch? What if I hit my head?

[linnielou232]

Sad to say in my sisuation I couldn't return to work.  Hope your job doesn't entail a lot of lifting, bending, etc.  This could cause some issues to return. As Selma mentioned I hope your only going back part time so you can build your tolereants up for longer days.  Wishing you the best.
Linda :)

[selmaS]

  What do u do at work? What r ur duties?

I am surprised u r back to work already...and I know quite a few go back at this point.....and I do hope it is part time.

Lifting, pushing and pulling should be off limits, even looking up and down can still bother ur neck....

Knowing what ur job entails will help.