chiari post op

[KRISSE27]

I had chiari malformation decompression surgery on may,31 2013 and I still am having the really bad pressure headaches.  They are even worse then before I had the surgery. I get very dizzy and nauseous a lot and sometimes just walking up and down the stairs I get chest pains.  I just want to know if this is something that's normal that I should be experiencing after surgery.

[KRISSE27]

Thank you very much for all of ur advice, I will try that and keep you posted with my recovery. .

[selmaS]

  If u feel worse when getting up, it could be a CSF leak,,,,,try to stay flat unless u r going to the rest room....and drink plenty of water, keep hydrated....and caffeine can help....

It is good that a patch made from ur own  tissues was used as u r less likely to reject ur own skin, but u could have a leak,....so rest.

[KRISSE27]

Yes I think my dura was opened because he used something from my leg to cover it back up I have a scar there also. I was sent home after 3days in the hospital I slept all day yesterday off pain meds. The first time I get up to go to the bathroom I was in so much pain I felt like I was going to pass out my head was hurting so bad. And im not sure if this is the healing process or not this is horrible. ...

[czpdx]

So sorry to hear you're not feeling well. I know it doesn't feel like it, but you are still very early in your recovery. I agree that the pain that changes with position is suspicious and makes me wonder about a CSF leak too. However, being only three weeks out from surgery, you're still in the "worse before it gets better phase" (based on my experience anyway).

Are you resting as much as you can? Avoiding lifting, bending forward, etc.?

I hope you feel better soon!

[selmaS]

  Hi...thanks for ur concern, but u are addressing ur comments to the wrng person, I am not having this issue KRISSE27 is,,...and I agree her Dr needs to address this.

In the mean time, since her Dr feels the need to wait...and many of them follow this protocol....she needs to stay flat for a few days and keep hydrated.

[Cure4chiari]

Something is wrong! you should not have this kind of pain. Their was a time I had a dura leak. It was horrible. I could not move with out being in pain. Have you been back to the DR about your condition. If not you should.

[selmaS]

  Do u know if ur dura was opened, if so what type of patch was used? Sometimes it can be a failed patch....and sometimes it can be us rejecting the patch, a leak develops..and a Blood Patch may help at this point if u do in fact have a leak.....

Stay flat in bed for a few days only get up to go to the bathroom...eat laying down...drink plenty of water to help this seal if it is a leak.....I had a leak while in the hospital after having my daughter....they kept me flat for 5 days....I was lucky as on the 5th day I was ok, mine sealed.

No walking for the next few days and see if it  helps.

[KRISSE27]

the pressure is worse if im sitting up, if im laying down im fine.  sometimes if I try to re position myself in bed then I get the bad pressure in the back of me head.  I have gotten my stitches out and I called my doctor a few times about what im experiencing, he says it could be scar tissue but its too early to tell and wants me to come back in 3 months to get another scan done.  Im not sure if I can last 3 months the pain is horrible sometimes I feel like just going to the ER but I don't know what they can honestly do to help.  It can be so painful sometimes I can be in tears.  I really don't do much at all. im in an apartment so I don't have to do stairs unless I go out. I have only been out of the house maybe 3 or 4 times sometimes I walk the hall ways just to get some type of exercise.

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

I can not say it is normal for u to have chest pains doing the stairs, as I did not have that post op.....and I also did not have more pressure immediately post op either, in fact I felt wonderful....that does not last as meds wear off, but I am still better now then pre op,

Do u notice if the pressure is worse if u r upright or laying down?

Does it change as u change position?

Have u been back for ur stitches to be removed and shared ur concerns with ur Dr?...When do u go back?


It is important to rest , rest and then rest some more post op and not try and do daily activities....no lifting bending etc as it can cause u to feel worse post op, so I am not sure what all u r doing....I stayed down stairs the first few weeks...that was good for me and I walked outside....Practiced on the stairs and went up for baths....but, I did not do stairs daily for a few weeks.

Always express ur concerns to ur Dr....

Keep us posted on how u r doing,