Is it normal for a concavity / depression / dent to form where the bone was removed?

[Lidiaggl]

I had my decompression surgery about two months ago, and I have been noticing that there is a noticeable indent where the bone reduction was done.  I have been thinking it was getting deeper, and today my PT agreed.  Overall, I feel better than before the surgery, and my recovery is going about like I was told to expect.  However, I am still having some sharp pains and headaches centered right where the 'hole' is, and like some other people have posted, I can't lay down with the back of my head on a pillow.  I read the following post on here from 2011, which did not get an answer - it is similar to my situation:

"strawberry22 - Hi.. I am about 9 months post op.  I woke up last night with this intense pain right where the incision is.  It is usually sunk in pretty good.  But my husband and I feel it is even more sunk in.  In know this sounds weird.  But we are wondering if it us something to worry about or not? - Jun 26, 2011"

Like strawberry22, I am wondering if this is normal.  It was not mentioned by my doctor, and I don't find any other references to it on this forum or others.

[selmaS]

  You did say that is what it felt like....with Chiari it can also distort a typical cold....as we have both symptoms together...

Hope you get over the cold soon.

[Lidiaggl]

ok need advice.  This morning woke up with discomfort in the top area of where they took my skull out.  Also the usual neckache which causes the headache.  What could be causing the slight pain to the tip of the skull where to remove the bone?  I hope I am making sense.

[selmaS]

  It is hard to say about individual symptoms as we all can have a different set of them.....only your Dr can give a full explanation of what is going on....

Breathing issues should be brought to your Drs attention ASAP !

[Lidiaggl]

I think I solved one of my head issues.  I have a massive head cold.

[selmaS]

  A metallic taste can indicate a CSF leak....let your Dr know about that and the other symptoms you are having.

Do you have a copy of the MRI?

[Lidiaggl]

What does it mean when I have a feeling of a head cold starting from my head and heading towards my nose and spreading?   But it is not a cold.  I have the feeling of having just jumped into the pool burning sensation up my nose and some kind of metal smell too.

[Lidiaggl]

I forgot to add.  I went to the ER a couple of days ago because of pressure in my chest that made it feel like I could not get enough air, but I was so not that scary.  Now that I am home my daugther noticed my skin under my eyes the blood vessels are popped.  Not sure if it is related or not.

[selmaS]

  I know daily chores need to be done....but not by you.....

In re-reading your post you stated you had the minimally invasive decompression....sometimes that procedure has short lived benefits and some have to have another surgery and the 2nd is the more invasive procedure where they open the dura.

Do you have a metallic taste?

[Lidiaggl]

Yes I have a metallic taste.  A few weeks ago I went back and had an MRI.  They said everything looks good and their is no signs of problems from the Chiari.  It just seems like the physical problem has been fixed, but all the symptoms are still there.

[selmaS]

  Do you have a major change in weather...rain or a drop in barometric pressure...I tend to have bad days with the changes in not only the weather but seasonal changes as well....so always look to the weather....if it is not changing then look to your previous days activities.

Take the day to allow your body to regroup and heal....relax.

[Lidiaggl]

People are constantly telling me "hey you had major surgery.  You need to take some time to rest"  Well then who is cooking the dinner, laundry, dusting, moping, sweeping, mowing, washing cars.  When I do something as light as clean the refrigerator I am hurting the next day.  Last night I went to bed and got such a sever pain around the area were they removed a piece of my skull.  If I turned my head around to try to get comfortable the pain would increase.  My taste buds suddenly did not want to work right.  I had garlic bread that my son made and oh was it good.  After they all went to bed except my husband and I  I took another piece of garlic bread and oh it tasted awful.  I tried something else and it was the same.  Now my nose is giving me the feeling I got water up my nose.  Just awful.  I am supposed to be getting better not developing other problems.  Sorry just frustrated that this issue hasn't totally gone away.

[selmaS]

  I have IBS and just b4 taking the gabapentin I had gotten it under control and asked if it would affect it....I was told it would not.....BUT it did....and it took a year to get it back on some kind of regular routine again....ugh....

I also did not see any other effects of the med being it did noting for the symptoms I was having at the time.....

[Lidiaggl]

Ugh! Feeling terrible today. Sever headache, neck pain, shoulder numb.