Surgery recovery time?

[Nuggin1983]

I am a 25 year old male and I had decompression surgery 6 months ago. I am still suffering severe pain in my neck and shoulders and heavily depend on pain relief (Endone) I feel like I am never going to be normal again. Has anyone had the surgery and what was your recovery like...how long until the pain subsides?

[selmaS]

  Hi...I did reply to this same query in a different thread here.....

this is the link - http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Chiari-Malformation/pre-op/show/1739433#post_9748588

[audrey00115]

I was recently diagnosed with chiari malformation.  I am having decompression surgery in a month.  With my insurance changing and the holidays this is the best time.  However I would prefer sooner as my neck and shoulder pain continue as well as the tinnitus.  My family has encouraged me to have a second opinion, which I am in a week.  This other neurosurgeon is too busy to meet with me until then.  I liked the neurosurgeon that is scheduled to do the surgery.  We meet five days before the surgery to go over everything.  Is there anything you can recommend I do at this point?  I do have a really dumb question.  What clothing will I be wearing while in the hospital?  I would think PJs.  I am short and all my PJs are too long.  I want to know if I should spend the money to get new ones.  Also, what should I expect on the pre-op day?  Does insurance typically charge for each service or just per day?  I ended up getting the diagnosis after having an MRI.  My ENT referred me to have an MRI because of my symptoms.  All of this has happened in about 2 ½ months.  I have just started taking norco for pain at night and tramadol during the day.  I am trying not to rely on that.  Thanks.  

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

May I ask y u need to go back to work? 5 weeks is so soon to be going back to work regardless of ur duties....driving to get there is too much at this time....the more u do now the longer it may take u to feel better and it can also cause set backs...

Did ur Dr release u to go back to work ?

U should not be doing ne lifting, pushing or pulling....u need to rest and heal...walking is good but a little at a time and u need to do exercises for ur neck so it does not get stiff and to help avoid scar tissue....

I understand how u feel....and it takes time....I am 4.5 yrs post op and each yr that passes I see more improvements....so it is not something u will see right away.

[tay1980]

I had my surgery 5 wks ago and I have been tryin to get strength back In my muscles In my legs and neck arms etc... I have my good days and my bad days good night and bad ones. I still have alot of stiffness in my neck and some numbness In hands and parts of my legs will be numb. The doc can't do mri til the 2month post or. I need to go back to work. MY job doesn't require anything except walkin and checkin doors. I also have to wear a hard hat. I can't wear that yet but can try a bump hat. Will this be a big risk to go back to work?? I'm post to start back tuesday day after my 5 wk mark. I suffered for 4 years b4 I Found right doc at the semiens murphey insutuation I have a great doc. The fluid was completely gone In my neck brain was already sitting On my spinal cord In my neck. Had severe migrane and chronic pain in my shoulders and arms I was clumsy so I thought. I have done some little house work but not all at once and every time I do a little of anything I hurt so bad I can't sleep can't get comfy for nothin. Is this normal? Some days I dn't do anything except get somethin to eat or drink. It's easy meals like oatmeal ,yogort or any soft foods cause still can't chew long or tilt my head back to drink I still drink out of a couple wit a straw. I'm not sure what I'm askin I'm just  miseriable

[frankie_rush]

Hello Heather,

I am sorry to hear your little man is going through this.  But he sounds like a fighter.  I am a 46 year old male that spent 16 1/2 years in the Military.  A Marine and a Solider.  So you can see I was very active to, the day before surgery I walked into the hospital with no help.  I had the surgery and could not sit up by myself.  I left the hospital in a wheelchair.  But 6 months later with the best therapist and best place Patrica Neal in Knoxville, TN I am walking with no help, driving and back to work as a computer tech.  So tell him I am very proud of him and never give up, you may have to take and do it a different way but you can always do it.  Like ai used to tell my people in the military I don't care how you get it done, just geet it done.  Semper Fi

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

It is still very early in recovery for ur DD...and it may be a few weeks till she starts to cut back off the pain meds....

It sounds like she still has inflammation, so watch her temp to make sure it is not an infection.

Post op we do feel over stimulated from lights, loud sounds, and even emotions run a muck....this we r told r the nerves healing and coming back to life...I do not know if that is what is going on with her.

I was not on morphine, I was on dilauid and when I stepped off that , I did not move to another pain med, but did continue with the valium for a while...or when I had muscle spasms.

AS I said it is the steroids that she can not continue with much longer, but it may indicate a CSF leak or infection...so do keep an close eye on her temp and her symptoms.

Keep us posted <3