I recently begin having numbness, tingling and a pins and needles sensation in both legs/feet throughout the day. So I scheduled for my decompression surgery however I also have a tethered cord so at this point they can’t pinpoint which condition is causing this new symptom so I’m not sure if I should get the decompression surgery or the tethered cord surgery. I canceled my surgery date on 8/2 in Philadelphia and I have now decided to go see a Chiari specialist on 8/15 out of state in hopes of getting answers. I was wondering if anyone had a similar situation or had both surgeries at one time.
I have both, I just had Decompression surgery on June 12th, right now I do not have any symptoms from the tethered cord though. My main symptoms (which my doc said was from Chiari not tethered cord) was tingling in hands and feet, sometimes face, desensitized hands, dizziness, occassionally seeing spots and of course neck pain and headache.
Thanks for your insight. This group is excellent at helping us to find others with similar problems who understand what we go through on a daily basis. I’m hoping that when I travel to see the specialist he is able determine which condition is causing my new symptoms because this very scary for me. Where did you have your surgery and how are you feeling now? Are the symptoms gone? God willing everything is okay !
I had my surgery in Houston at the Methodist Hospital by Dr. Parrish. Almost all of my symptoms are gone, I still have desenitized hands and some occasional dizziness (which I think is just from recovery). But everything else is gone. I was very scared of the surgery at first, I was so nervous about it that I actually called and asked for them to move my surgery up because the thoughts were consuming me. But the night before my husband said "are you ready for a new life?" and then it just clicked that I should be ready for a change and excited, so the next morning going to the hospital and at the hospital I was very calm and relaxed. My recovery was so much easier than I thought it would be, I was very surprised since I had read so many stories. Today makes 3 weeks exactly and I started back to work yesterday and last week I did everything like normal at home, I even went several places with the kids and had no problems. I did take a pain pill or muscle relaxer here and there but I could have made it without it. The first week was the worse for me and I was on pain pills and muscle relaxers every 4 hours, at about 5 days post-op I started to wean myself off and by day 8 I was only taking them occasionaly. My tethered cord is not bad at all, the radiologist actually missed it, but my doctor saw it on the mri, he told me to just watch out for urinary or bowel inconitenance (sp) and arm or leg pain and if I start having those symptoms to call right away. If you have any questions at all (even if you think they may be too personal) just ask, I dont mind at all. Now that I feel like I am better, I want to help other people as much as I can!
I apologize for taking so long to respond but I had a few busy days. I just wanted to say thanks for sharing your story with me because it’s helping to have a more positive outlook on things. I have an appointment with Dr. Heffez at the Chiari Institute in Wisconsin and I have read and heard a lot of good things about him so I’m just hoping and praying that my experience will go as well as yours did. How often was the tingling in your hands and feet before the surgery and how long did each episode last ? Did you lose any weight after the surgery? I’m about 5’1 and 108 lbs so I really don’t want to get
any smaller. I have started water therapy twice a weak to help strengthen my muscles but are there anything other recommendations that you have for me before I have the surgery? Once again thanks for your support !
The tingling was every day, but not constant, it was several times a day and lasted a few minutes at a time. The most noticeable time for me was in the monring when i would get out of bed, it felt like i was walking on tiny little pins and my hands felt like they were asleep. I might have lost 1 or 2 pounds after surgery, not enough to notice, lol. I weight 125 and am 5'4 so a couple pounds doesn't really change things for me.
As far as surgery recommendations, take the pillows that are comfortable to you to the hospital and some snacks. The hospital food is never great. And at the hospital and at home get up and move around a few minutes every hour, you wont really feel like doing it t first but it really will make you feel better faster!
I hope your having a great week and figure things out soon!
Just wondering if you've gotten some answers yet and how are you feeling lately??