Post Chiari Surgery

[ARK1305]

so, I had a chiari decompression surgery 11/29.  I developed a CSF leak and infection of the CSF fluid following the surgery.  I have been either in the hospital or going for twice a day antibiotic infusions until this past week.  I was put on steroids to aid in my recovery, and have since developed Cushing Syndrome like symptoms (swollen face and upper body, rapid weight gain, sore muscles, etc)  from the steroids.  the doctors are finally tapering the steroids due to these symptoms.  I suppose my question is I'm still having terrible headaches and pressure and pain in the back of my head.  anyone else have a similar situation?  how long can this be expected to last?

[selmaS]

  I had a CSF leak yrs ago after I had my DD....and mine sealed up but I was flat for everything except to go to the bathroom....I ate laying on my side....no fun....but u have to say down....I was down for 5 days.....

Good luck to u <3

[ARK1305]

Thanks, SelmaS!  No, they thought the best thing would be to let the leak heal on its own with bed rest.  I had an MRI earlier this week that showed there was still fluid, but the amount of fluid had decreased.  I had a bovine dura patch. thanks for all these suggestions!  I'm going to start some research!

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome back....so sorry u r having such a bad time......

The leak could be causing u to feel like that...what have they done to stop the leak? A blood patch?....

Another issue could be cerebral ptosis....have they done a MRI since u had a leak and an infection? What type of dura patch did u have?

   And lastly did they rule out Ehlers-Danlos? Some have it pre op, but find out post op...it can be the reason for a leak and even an infection, plus with a lamenectomy it can also cause cerviocranial instability to worsen....so, u feel worse.

So it really depends on what is going on....and how they treat it.