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5952632 tn?1377267069

Tracking Triggers

I was decompressed August 13 and for almost two moths after felt the best in my life.  No symptoms of any kind at all, energy like never before, really able to enjoy life!  However, we welcomed the arrival or our third child about 3 weeks ago, and things started to go downhill.  I was trying to help with the baby during the night, but as each day progressed and the lack of sleep piled up, all the symptoms started returning.  The headaches, dizziness, confusion, all the fun stuff.  I finally had to take a step back from helping at night so I could focus on making sure I am taking care of, which makes me feel selfish as hell, but things have started to improve.  It's not back to where it was right after the surgery, but getting better.  I've been sleeping on the couch since my surgery because I tend to roll onto my back in bed during the night and start hurting.  I have been noticing that it will come and go, so I started to track what I was doing, eating, drinking, etc.  Besides the lack of sleep kick starting stuff, I'm noticing that eating a lot cleaner, more balanced meals seems to help along with increasing my water intake.  I also found that when I drank anything with alcohol that I would most times start up with a range of symptoms soon after.  And probably the most concerning trigger that I have found is driving.  I work about 30minutes from home, and by the time I make the drive either way I am drained of all energy and most times have a splitting headache to accompany it.  I was diagnosed with a concussion and traumatic brain injury back in April after a car accident, so I don't know if this has something to do with it as well.  I had an incident a couple nights ago while driving home with the family where I started to black out and had to pull over to let my wife drive the rest of the way.  I don't remember half of the trip home and was out cold when we got there.  I'm going back to the surgeon Thursday and will be discussing all of this with him, but any advice, help, tips or tricks that any one can provide on here is greatly appreciated!
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620923 tn?1452915648
COMMUNITY LEADER

  I never went back to work as I was let go, but I do have other related conditions which would make going back to what I did impossible....

I can not stand florescent lights and  that is all they had, plus not sure if I could do the hrs and the physical aspect.

Since u r having issues , I would continue with what ur doing for a little more.....U may want to try a diff Chair to help avoid that slouching.....


AS for neck exercises I do have a chart in my profile page, it has a lot on the chart but not all are for us so do read the comments to know which are the ones for us.

Just know, u will have symptoms crop up from time to time as u heal....rest when u feel u need it and know it is not being selfish as u need that rest so ur body heals....
Helpful - 0
5952632 tn?1377267069
I've actually been back at work on light duty for about a moth  now, computer work, paperwork, that sort of thing. I've actually bee contemplating going back to a standup work station with a stool to help keep my head and spine straight as I tend to slouch when I am working (seems more comfortable I guess).  What are your thoughts on this?

I've certainly been trying to keep everything as low key as possible, but that has been a task in itself with 3 kids at 4 years old and under.  Going to work almost seems like a break for me and my head, depending on ho stress free I am able to keep things.  

I have been trying to do some neck strengthening exercises that I used to do before the surgery, but I am not sure if they are the proper ones with the current conditions.  Any guidance?
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620923 tn?1452915648
COMMUNITY LEADER

  Hi, it is typical to feel great post op as there is a big change in CSF flow and meds are still in ur system, but as they wean out of u, around 3 months u will get some symptoms returning as u heal...especially if u r doing too much.

U should not be lifting ....

U need sleep...and this is not being selfish u had major surgery.....and u  drive to work, u r back to work????

I would advise u not drive as u still need to heal....not sure what u do at work, but u may want to cut back how much time u work as this is the time u will have a return of symptoms as u heal.....

DO u do neck exercises to help with the muscles getting tight and to help prevent scar tissue? It is important but the way u need to hold ur neck and turn it while driving may be too much too soon....and only u can tell by the way ur body responds to the activities....Drs give us a general guideline as to when we can return to work etc....u have to let them know if u can or can not....and it sounds like it was too soon for u.
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