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Post op issues.
Hello all, I am really concerned that it has been almost a month and today I am severely dizzy and nauseous which hasn't been a symptom till today. Has anyone had this problem and or what should I do? It is just very scary. It was my first surgery ever and I'm just really scared. I have also had nightmares every night since surgery unrelated to it and unrelated to daily life. I am scared and nervous and feel very depressed recently. Not sure where to go from here.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Once ur releases u, there is not help for any other issues,...look for a Dr that is willing to monitor you thru this and willing to learn about Chiari....that is very important as too many Drs do not know or have experience with it and related conditions...we look to our NS as Chiari specialists but they only can help with surgical outcomes and not other issues that may crop up post op.....
Use ur down time to research PCP's and NL's to find someone to help u.
No worries....just take it a day at a time and know u r not alone <3
Thank you very much for being here for me through this. It means a lot. This is harder than I thought it would be for recovery. You are a huge help in coping and answering my little worries :)
COMMUNITY LEADER
A lot report those bumps many are ingrown hairs...and some is just the way the incision is healing and nothing to be concerned about unless it is fluid filled....
I am sure the popping is just the bone against the tub.....not the most comfortable way to relax....but I know the desire to try that one.
U will need a bath pillow to use to prevent that for future baths....
I know I always have something to be worried about!!!!! I hopped in the bath tub (first bath since surgery. Always took showers). I have not had my insicion against anything hard. What I'm trying to say is that I laid back with my head against the tub and heard popping. I also felt some pain where the pops came from. No bleeding or incision leakage. Just pain and popping. Any idea what that may be? I have bumps along the insicions so could it just be little bubbles of fluid popping?
COMMUNITY LEADER
So they are familiar with this condition and seen someone deal with it b4? It is like a car mechanic saying they know cars so they can handle a foreign cars transmission...that is not true.,...
And not all transmission shops can handle the foreign cars transmission either....
JMHO
They won't. They think they are completely right and that I'm using the site to worry. They don't understand that I'm NOT in the medical field and I don't get how things work and side effects scare me. They push me regardless.
No response from the NS. Parents are pissed I emailed them in the first place. They think they can handle it themselves.
No response from the NS. Parents are pissed I emailed them in the first place. They think they can handle it themselves.
COMMUNITY LEADER
I pray your parents do realize you are not being lazy but healing....it is not easy doing things with Chiari let alone post op....
The one thing you may want to try is get them to read some of these posts so they can see it is not just you and it is difficult having this condition.
((hugs))
I hope my parents will realize and let me be. They harass me to do work and to "get off my lazy butt". "You have to keep pushing and working hard or u won't get better"
It's irritating.
It's irritating.
Selma has given you the best information about your activity level. Heed those words, and overdoing physical things can just exacerbate the pain you already have. I remember when my family thought I was just lazy. Then my father-in-law viewed my MRI and understood. I truly hope some peoples' posts here can help you.
COMMUNITY LEADER
The best rule of thumb is listen to your body..if it is complaining, then you are doing too much.
Thank you very much. I completely agree. I emailed the NS and my neurologist and I am waiting for a response. I feel like I'm pushing too hard too soon.
COMMUNITY LEADER
NONONOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO do not vacuum and sweep this soon post op....I do not care what they did and I am not trying to contradict them, but there are not many in the medical community that understand this condition.
The thing is there is no way for anyone but you to know what you can do and when, a general guide can not be used for everyone.....just like one size does not fit all....
Try cutting back on some of the things to see if you feel better, if not contact your Dr.
I will talk to my dr.
I help do dishes. Vacuum, sweep, etc. I live at home with my parents and they insist I help out and stop laying around and being lazy. One parent is an MD and the other was a neurosurgery nurse about 30 yrs ago. The NS said at this point I can drive and bend and help out with chores. I don't feel pain when doing these actions and the NS said after 4 weeks, I can hold 10lbs per hand. Seems a bit much I think.
I help do dishes. Vacuum, sweep, etc. I live at home with my parents and they insist I help out and stop laying around and being lazy. One parent is an MD and the other was a neurosurgery nurse about 30 yrs ago. The NS said at this point I can drive and bend and help out with chores. I don't feel pain when doing these actions and the NS said after 4 weeks, I can hold 10lbs per hand. Seems a bit much I think.
COMMUNITY LEADER
May I ask what household chores.....my Drs instructed me to do nothing, no lifting (even a milk container) bending, pulling or pushing......
No bending or lifting to even get a piece of lint....so, that was his way of saying do nothing....and I know it is hard....but we have to find other things to keep us occupied ....I crochet and at first not for long periods as it affected my neck and shoulders.
I did walk and do my neck exercises,....
As for symptoms you did not have b4, that could be from meds or meds and stress combined, you mentioned having nightmares,,,that could be feeding into stress....look at your dreams and try and make sense of them.
Last talk to your Dr about your concerns.
I also did not have these symptoms at all prior to surgery which is why I am so concerned and nervous.
I have gone on walks, I do some menial household chores and I am in physical rehabilitation. I am taking it easy for the most part.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.
May I ask what you have been doing daily since surgery? Recovery from this surgery can take time, even tho you appear to have healed at the site of the incision....but the nerves can take up to 2 yrs to heal.
Doing too much can cause set backs, like a leak....or symptoms to return sooner then expected as they will return as the nerves begin to heal...but should not be the same as b4 surgery or last as long....
We go thru stages b4 we get a DX, when we get a DX and then post op....and depression is one of them as we may have expected to feel 100% great post op and when we don't we get down....it all takes time, I am 5 yrs post op and each yr that has passed I have continued to see improvements....it is not something you will see all at once.
Patience is key with recovery...as is rest, rest and rest some more.
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