I had my decompression with duraplasty on February 18th. I was in ICU one day and a regular room for 2 days. They had me up walking a few steps the morning after surgery. Dr. Oro came in every day and visited with us and answered questions. He’s wonderful and seems to really care about his patients. Dianne Mueller came in everyday as well. She’s his PA I believe and is very knowledgeable. I’m only taking about half of the meds they’ve prescribed and I’m quite comfortable. I had to halve the Valium after a few days because it was making me cry a lot and feel like I was losing it. Other than that I’ve not had any problems. My husband and I flew home to Texas yesterday. I’ll have my 27 staples removed next week. My incision is itching like crazy, but that is part of the healing process I understand. I am so glad the surgery is behind me. It was not nearly as bad as I’d imagined and I feel so much better than I’d anticipated! I’m happy to answer questions about Dr. Oro or the surgery if I’m able. I’m excited to see what improvements I get from it! I’m attaching a couple of pics from 2 days and 5 days after surgery.
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That’s great news I’m glad to hear your doing well after surgery! Your incision looks like its healing nicely! Did he use your own tissue for the duraplasty? Also how did you feel when you first woke up and what position were you in? I just found out January 14th about my chiari and had a neurologist suggest surgery but I’m going to see a specialist in 2 weeks. I’m pretty sure I’ll be having surgery so hearing your story is so encouraging. Thanks again and take care!
I really needed to hear this. I just scheduled my decompression surgery for March 25th and I'm excited and nervous. People seem to mostly post horror stories, so it's awesome to read a success story. Yes, please keep us posted. I'm really glad you're recovering so quickly.
I am glad to hear this! I have had positive results so far too.
Though for me the first two days in hospital were not fun!
Every week it seems to get better and you find out what is starting to go away and what isn't.
Some stuff isn't the Chiari (for me for example it's the TMJ that is causing some headaches still).
I am glad you posted this so others can know that there are two sides to the Chiari surgery coin.
Did you have other diagnoses as well as Chiari?
I was wondering if that is why other people don't do as well.
And did you have a syrinx?
Please keep us updated!
I am super excited for you!!
:-)
Don't mean to hijack this discussion but to answer your question I did ask about it and I don't have hypermobility or anything and the Dr felt I did not have it.
I was hit square in the jaw when I was about 19 or so and it spun me almost 360 degrees around! Ever since then, I have had problems with it sliding when I lie down on my side to sleep and sort of spasming muscles in my sleep. So far, the joint looks ok. I do have a mouthguard and it shows very little wear and tear on the back molar area and I have had the same one for 3 years. If you want I can start a new thread if you want to tell me anything more? I am a little confused about EDS. I will call the thread EDS/TMJ .
Abby said:
Ophelia, I have ask you maybe this before, but have you been tested for Ehlers Danlos? Folks who have EDS have a problem with TMJ, I have it on both sides and pop like crazy in my jaws while chewing and my knees pop and crack and knee cap pops out of place. I have EDS.
Ophelia1568 said:I am glad to hear this! I have had positive results so far too.
Though for me the first two days in hospital were not fun!
Every week it seems to get better and you find out what is starting to go away and what isn't.
Some stuff isn't the Chiari (for me for example it's the TMJ that is causing some headaches still).
I am glad you posted this so others can know that there are two sides to the Chiari surgery coin.
Did you have other diagnoses as well as Chiari?
I was wondering if that is why other people don't do as well.
And did you have a syrinx?
Please keep us updated!
I am super excited for you!!
:-)
Lili, I’ve tried to reply 3 times and it keeps deleting a long message each time! I’ll see if a short one works. Yes he used my tissue for the patch. I’m doing great! Only had to take narcotics once in the last 4 days! Ibuprofen is working well. I do take Fioricet about once a day for frontal headaches that you’ll get for hopefully only a few weeks. Until csf regenerates. I can’t recommend Dr. Oro highly enough!
Also, I woke up flat on my back. I asked the same thing. It’s really not painful laying that way. I don’t remember anything until I was in ICU, quite a while after surgery. The pain pump contained Dilaudid and that’s heavy duty. 13 days out I’m feeling better than I’d dreamed I would! Even 8 days out I felt pretty good. I overdo some, it’s so hard not to!! If I could stop that, I’d be great!
Oh that’s to bad it kept deleting your long messages darn. Through everything I read I was thinking I would prefer using my own tissue also it seems that your body would best adjust to it. I know different things work out for everyone. I’m so glad to hear your doing so well 13 days out and that it’s hard to stop lol! What a blessing I’m truly happy for you! I know I would be the same way I would have to keep reminding myself to sit down and relax ha! That’s great that you only had to take narcotics once in the past four days your pain is managed with ibuprofen! Do you know how long it takes for the csf to regenerate or is it different for everyone? You wake up flat on your back wow I would think on your side or something. It’s not painful that’s great you would think it would be but they knew what they were doing of course! I was also wondering if you had any nausea after your surgery and if so was it able to get under control quickly? Thanks again Aggie and I pray you continue with this great recovery take care!
I had surgery with Dr. Oro on January 28th. I too was amazed at how well they handle pain control. Dr. Oro and his nurses are awesome caring people! I am so glad I traveled from Iowa to have them do my surgery. Like you, I was preparing myself for the worst, and thankfully that was not the case. I had difficulties with valium. I made me extremely nauseated. The horrible frontal headaches lasted for about two weeks for me. I think that was the worst part.
I had my first physical therapy session today (which worked out well because my neck was very tight and sore for some reason today) and the massage felt soooo good!
I agree, it is very hard not too overdo it when you are feeling so good! My follow up appointment is on the 21st and I am excited to see what Dr. Oro thinks and to see what my MRI looks like.
I hope you continue to heal well!
hayperk said:
I had surgery with Dr. Oro on January 28th. I too was amazed at how well they handle pain control. Dr. Oro and his nurses are awesome caring people! I am so glad I traveled from Iowa to have them do my surgery. Like you, I was preparing myself for the worst, and thankfully that was not the case. I had difficulties with valium. I made me extremely nauseated. The horrible frontal headaches lasted for about two weeks for me. I think that was the worst part.
I had my first physical therapy session today (which worked out well because my neck was very tight and sore for some reason today) and the massage felt soooo good!
I agree, it is very hard not too overdo it when you are feeling so good! My follow up appointment is on the 21st and I am excited to see what Dr. Oro thinks and to see what my MRI looks like.
I hope you continue to heal well!
When you guys say “frontal headaches” do you mean to include the temple area too?
I would get excruciating headaches across my forehead and into my temples. Similar to where a sinus headache is. They would start very quickly and they were the worst headaches I have ever experienced in my life. Thank goodness I was able to take some fioricet and use icepacks and hot packs to help.
Hi Aggie how are you feeling how is your recovery? Hope all is we’ll take care!
Hello! I’m feeling about the same, pretty well. Good days, bad days. I can’t say enough not to overdo! I’m having a difficult time with this. Taking less and less meds everyday, although last night my husband had me take a hydrocodone so that maybe I could slept more than 6 hours. It worked! Staple removal went well. Way easier than I’d anticipated. I’m waiting for my orders for physical therapy. I’m guessing I’ll start next week. My neck and shoulders are so tight and I’m looking forward to the massage! How are you doing Lili?
Lili said:
Hi Aggie how are you feeling how is your recovery? Hope all is we’ll take care!
How are you doing Hayperk? How’s PT? Have any advice for me? I hope your recovery is going well!
Hi Aggie! Glad to hear your doing pretty well! That’s a good sign if your taking less meds each day! I can just imagine those times when your feeling well it’s easy to overdo it. That’s great you were able to get more sleep your husband knew what he was doing! Do you use a special pillow when you sleep or does a certain type work better for you? I know it was a relief when the staple removal went well! How do they remove the staples? I’m sure Pt will be helpful and the massage should help the tightness! I’m ok my appointment with the chiari specialist is this Thursday I just finished writing down a bunch of questions for him. I also wrote down all my symptoms and I couldn’t believe my list it was so long. I’m excited and nervous at the same time for my appt. I can’t wait to possibly have surgery to relieve some of this pain and symptoms! Take care!
I am glad the staple removal was easy for you, I was very worried about that as well. My PT didn't start until I was 5 weeks post op. The first appointment my therapist spent a lot of time massaging my neck, and I actually felt more pain in my neck afterwards. I think he was pushing too hard. My subsequent visits have been MUCH better. He has been focusing on gentle stretching instead of massage.
Yesterday was the first day I was able to look down with only slight tightness and discomfort! Yippee! I was at exactly 6 weeks post op. I only have one tender spot. It is right where they put the plate in. I suppose that is normal. I am excited to ask Dr. Oro about it next week.
How are you feeling today? Are you still taking any meds?
Hayley
aggie89 said:
How are you doing Hayperk? How's PT? Have any advice for me? I hope your recovery is going well!
It is so good to hear the good reports about Dr. Oro and his clinic. I had an appt. with him back in Jan. and he recommended the surgery. I am now waiting on my insurance to decide if they will cover the surgery out of state as I am from oklahoma and Dr. Oro is in Denver. For those of you that have seen Dr. Oro did he order a cine MRI for you? I’m wondering because I really hoped he would order one for me so I would have a clear yes your CSF flow is blocked or not. He didn’t order one though saying he could tell by the way my MRI looked that it is extremely crowded. What do you think just curious? Thanks to all for taking the time to share info that really helps and encourages others.
Blessings and prayers,
Edra
hayperk said:
I had surgery with Dr. Oro on January 28th. I too was amazed at how well they handle pain control. Dr. Oro and his nurses are awesome caring people! I am so glad I traveled from Iowa to have them do my surgery. Like you, I was preparing myself for the worst, and thankfully that was not the case. I had difficulties with valium. I made me extremely nauseated. The horrible frontal headaches lasted for about two weeks for me. I think that was the worst part.
I had my first physical therapy session today (which worked out well because my neck was very tight and sore for some reason today) and the massage felt soooo good!
I agree, it is very hard not too overdo it when you are feeling so good! My follow up appointment is on the 21st and I am excited to see what Dr. Oro thinks and to see what my MRI looks like.
I hope you continue to heal well!
Hi Aggie! How are you doing did you start PT? How’s your healing and recovery coming along? I hope all is well! Take care!