Pain and HA's 2 years post op

[aaa222]

hello again everyone,
I have a couple questions for you guys.

I had decompression surgery with a duraplasty in February 2012, since then there have been days when i had headaches and chiari pain but nothing too bad or unexpected. Until lately. I have been having intense headaches almost every night, looking down is extremely painful and washing my hair sets up the pain for the night. my fingers have been tingling occasionally. also, I'm not sure if this is chiari related but i have been having hiccups almost every day for the past couple weeks.
I would love to avoid the doctor but this has me a little worried. Anyone had these symptoms post decompression?

[selmaS]

Well a MRI of the thoracic and lumbar should be done.And since u r having issues u should have the cervical and brain done again and compare to the Pre op ones.

[aaa222]

Thanks so much, good luck and i'm eager to hear what they tell you

[aaa222]

Selma,
pre-op I had  many brain MRI's, two CINE MRI's, and a few on my cervical spine. I never had anything below my cervical spine though. I had a CT of my lumbar spine during a spinal tap.

[ZilZil]

It's time to go back to your neurologist and talk to him about it.  

I had DC surgery in Dec 2011 (no syrinx) and only started having noticeable symptoms again in the last few months.  My NL ordered some nerve and eye testing (I'm having tingling/ loss of sensation in my arms, visual disturbances and fairly mild headaches- compared to what they were pre-surgery) next week.  I'll follow up on this forum with what ever happens.

Good luck and don't ignore it.

[selmaS]

  Hi...it is possible u also developed scar tissue and it is now obstructing CSF flow....

And as the above members suggested see ur Dr and have testing...it is not out of possibilities that u developed or had related or non related conditions underlying with ur Chiari and did not realize it until now....

May I ask, what MRI's did u have pre op? Brain, cervical , thoracic and lumbar spine? CINE MRI?

[aaa222]

Thanks for the reply, no i didnt have a syrinx at the time of my surgery...but its worrying me now. is it possible to develop one after decompression surgery?

[frankie_rush]

Hey,

My surgery was in July 2012 and it has been pretty good just your normal headache and getting use to the new me.  I am going back this coming Friday for a new MRI just to make sure everything is fine and nothing new is going to popup on me. I have a little pain  between shoulder blades   I do agree with TinyRN go back to the doc and have a check up.  Remember Chiara is your best bud now it will always be with you.

[TinyRN]

Did you have a syrinx with your chiari as well? I have my decompression surgery almost a year ago and I have been battling with headaches some days more than others. I find that making sure I dont over do it is the best thing... Have your lifestyle changed recently? are you exercising more, did you change jobs? I find that my headache exacerbations are brought on by stress and working because I work as a nurse and the heavier patient loads are always the worst nights for me. I have also been trying to kick the fioricet because I have been having more headaches because I have been taking it more frequently. And of course now I am getting withdrawal headaches. I find as my syrinx is decreasing I have good and bad days that come and go with the numbess. I may have a good week and then a bad couple of days with the headaches and the numbess. My suggestion would be just to follow up with your neurologist. If you did have a syrinx it may be related to the fluid redistributing and causing referral pain on the nerves as it interacts or pushes on new areas. But I think just to be safe than sorry it may be for the better to at least make sure its no problems with your graft.