Coping after Surgery.

[tracycoll]

These past few months have been a whirlwind for me. I have suffered from sever unexplained pain that has gotten worse over the past 6 years and over the past few months my pain and symptoms got so severe I cound hardly function. I have seen every specialist and no one was able to tell me anything to explain what was happening, until i found a diagnosis on my medical records that was never mentioned to me: chiari malformation. I came across the awesome website while researching chiari and was able to find a chiari specialist in my area. After reviewing my records and tests he decided that he believed I would benefit from suregery. After seriously considering surgery and reading posts on this site, I decided I was going to have the surgery. I am currently in recovery. I had my surgery a little over two weeks ago and I was wondering how other people cope after surgery. I know everyone copes differently, but I'm struggling. I feel great and want to go out and do the things I couldn't do before like go to the mall, but it's only been too weeks out and I don't want to push it. I have a great support system of family and friends, but it drives me crazy when they say, "I know how you feel." I know they say it out of love, but they haven't gone through what I have so they really don't. I guess I just need to take this recovery day by day because I know how important it is to heal, but any tips for taking this all day by day? Thanks!

[selmaS]

  U will be able to slowly step down  off the meds when u no longer feel the need for them.

  U may continue to have some of the symptoms...not all of them go away...and some may take some time...since we r all diff  it is hard to say if or when u will see improvement.


  "selma"

[tracycoll]

Thank you both for the advice!
Selma, I totally forgot that the meds could be a reason I'm feeling better. I have an appointment with the NS next week for my three week follow up. Is that usuallyy when they take you off of the pain meds? If I'm still experiencing some of the same symptoms I had before surgery, is it possible they will improve over time?

[selmaS]

  Hi...first, post op at 2 weeks u r still on meds and feel the best u have felt in a long time...but u r on meds...wait, this will change as u heal u will develop some return of symptoms...not like b4, but it is normal part of healing....TAKE IT SLOW !!

Rest...ur body went thru major surgery and it took yrs to get as bad as it was, it will take time to fully heal....2 yrs to completely heal and if u push urself now u could suffer set backs.

I am just about 2 yrs post op, I do have a few other issues as well, but I still have things I can not do....but, I do not regret having my surgery as it helped with soooooooo much.

The thing is surgery is not a cure, or a fix....and it is possible for a return of symptoms if we have a fall or get bounced around too much.Stress can also trigger the onset of symptoms post op....so take it easy and slow...listen to ur body and do not be deceived in the early stages of recovery.

  Welcome to the Zipperhead club!!

    "selma"

[lynnbrook177]

Hi

Sorry that I can't help you with advice on how to handle the after-surgery day-by-day struggles, as I have not had surgery yet and don't know whether I'll need it, but after reading that you are feeling great, I have to express to you that THAT is the most important thing right now.  Before you know it, the day-to-day struggles of after surgery will be behind you and you'll be living a much better life. It is amazing to hear that you feel GREAT!