Five weeks post-op and having a couple of issues

General
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Hey guys, I have a couple of post-surgery questions. Nothing major. Overall I'm doing great but this week I've started getting headaches. I think they are sinus because I've been sneezing and having a bit of stuffy nose. Also my ears have been kind of stuffy feeling. Do you think that healing combined with sinus could cause pressure like headaches? I just feel a little worried because they seem so similar to my old headaches which I haven't had since the surgery. Also I get discomfort if I look up to far but I think that is unrelated and due to the incision not being 100% healed.

Another small issue is a new neck pain. I've not had much neck pain the past 5 weeks so do you think this could just be normal muscle stuff? It's not severe, just annoying.

My last issue is that my incision seems to seep on occasion. Not pus or anything that seems like infection. Not blood. Just like an almost clear liquid? My hair seems to be growing back through the incision...could this cause that? Has anyone else experienced this???

Next Monday I'm back to work. Getting nervous! I'm not really too excited about it to be honest. I guess I'm thankful I have a job to return to though!

Thanks for all the help guys!

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Anglyn,

I had liquid filled "blisters" along my incision for a long time. They are from iritation like ingrown hairs as your hair grows through the scar. They scared the beejezus out of me at first because I would touch it and my fingers would be wet. My ns looked at it and said it was normal. It lasted a few months though on and off. The headaches could be sinus. You don't have any salty taste in your mouth do you? If it's sinus a Neti Pot works great for getting relief and fending off allergies and sinus infections. It feels weird at first but after a while it feels very soothing. You want to use bottled water and non iodized salt for best results. My neck muscles were sore for a long time after surgery. Arnica Cream works great and I have been using Hylands Leg Cramp Ointment on my neck muscles and for me it works better than the Arnica cream. It has Arnica in it along with other remedies and wintergreen that is warming for your neck or any muscle. You could bring it to work in your purse and rub a tiny bit on every time you get sore...It last hours.

Good luck with starting back to work. Wendy

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Thanks so much Wendy! You are always so helpful and I appreciate it! :)

The incision seeping is just as you described. I told my husband that I thought it could be hair growing in because I can feel little tiny prickly hairs sticking out.

No salty taste thank goodness...I'm going to try the neti-pot for the sinuses and the arnica for the neck. If that doesn't help I'll grab some of the hylands. The warming sensation sounds nice! :)

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Thanks for all the advice! I will try all the tips. Sadly I think I need a new GP. I can't really go to mine for any chiari related problem because she was so, so against surgery and said no one should ever resort to it for chiari. It sounds lame but I would never, ever let her know I had any issues related to the surgery.

One other concern. Sometimes the back of my head feels 100% normal, other times even the slightest pressure hurts. Is this normal or should I call my NS?

These are the times I hate being 5 hours away.

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ahhh, Anglyn...are we really 5 weeks post-op?? Hard to believe, isn't it! I am so glad that I am not the only one who worries...I haven't read the above posts yet because I didn't want them to influence what I write....I don't have real practical answers. It hurts like an SOB when I look up also. I am not even sure as I write, if I am even allowed to do it, but should have some answers tomorrow. A physical therapist came into the hospital and had me look left and right, down, and tilt my head side to side as my exercises - nothing about looking up. After Beeba suggested it, I am now starting PT. My PT order didn't mention neck extension either, so she was going to call the NS to find out what I am supposed to do.

I have had some stuffy sinus stuff, which is beyond rare for me. I wonder if this is common? Any thoughts frieds? Maybe it has something to do with having our head messed with or having our CSF flow change? I noted to myself that it was so weird, because I just don't have sinus issues, so I find it interesting you are having the same symptoms. hmmmmm

I have had odd pains here and there, or a pre-surgery pain appear and FREAK ME OUT because I don't want the surgery to go wrong. My ears have been stuffy a couple of times and I have popped them to relieve the pressure...a bad thing? I don't know, but it helped.

Last night, I had my first deep headache that originated at the left occipital area like before surgery. OMG, i was internally flipping just hoping my surgery didn't go bad. It went away and no probs today.

I just keep remembering things I have read on here about symptoms waxing and waning as we heal. I also remember Dr. Oro telling me that it could take up to a year before we see every benefit. The final thing I remember is that NONE of the Chiari health care folks acted like this was a super fragile surgery. As a matter of fact, I was surprised at how nonchalant everyone was upon discharge. Rest. Take meds. Don't lift more than 8 lbs. I am sure there was more said, but none of it was dramatic. As a matter of fact, I have learned way more post-surgical info on here.

Hopefully we are fine, and I am sure we are. But, after being willing to do such crazy a thing as a brain surgery (haha), it can be unnerving when these things pop up.

I just feel better knowing it isn't just me. I take that as a good sign that we are just healing and back and forth symptoms are part of it. Oh, my incision is fine and I am not so sure yours should be weeping....but that seems easily treatable.

((hugs)) Kelly

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oh, quick question for you, A, and any of you...

I have at least 3 swollen lymph nodes on the BACK of my neck. Just had CBC done, and white blood cells normal. Is it common to have these lymph nodes swell? Maybe as protection for our surgery? I don't like it one bit, but no signs of infection anywhere.

My neuralgia pain issue is not doing good. Neurontin was a bust...I finally discontinued it after the third side effect, which was welts and peeling on my face. Nice, huh? At least I tried it.