I had my decompression surgery back on August 7. I did remarkably well post op and had minimal complications. Due to how long it took to get the right diagnosis and such, I was off of work for a total of 7 months and 3 days (not that I'm counting or anything :)
I have been back to work now for about 6 weeks. Other than being completely exhausted, I have been sick for almost the entire time. Granted I am a pediatric nurse and the nature of my job is to be in the faces of sick kids. I've started with headaches, some chiari and some not. I've been on multiple rounds of antibiotics and a long term course of steroids. I have a history of asthma and it has flared up completely. I've dodged being admitted on at least two occassions. I started to finally feel better on Friday but by Sunday I got pretty sick. I'm thinking it is strep and possibly pneumonia.
Looking for any advice that I can get! Also, checking to see if anyone else had issues with illness/healing post op. I talked to my neurosurgeon and am getting a CINE MRI this Thursday to make sure that my CSF flow is still ok.
That's exactly what I thought too. If you don't get enough sun Vit D levels suffer and it is instramental to our immune system. If you are having levels checked ask for Iron too. If you are taking antibiotics it also kills off all the good bacteria in your body a good mixed probiotic is important too. My doctor said that Jarrow-Dophilus is the best one on the market. It's kind of pricey but all good probiotics are and this one is shelf stable and doesn't need to be refrigerated and lasts a long time because you only need to take one a day. If you have been taking antibiotics for a few weeks I would take 2 a day for the first week. Amazon discounts it also. Also EFA like Fish Oil/Krill Oil and Evening Primrose Oil helps with inflamation as does Ginger and Tumeric. Emmaline can tell you more about that than I can and how much to take. My acupuncturist told me to limit or eliminate dairy any time I am feeling ill. It also causes inflamation which is what asthma is. If you ever want to try Homeopathy I can help you with that. I hope you feel better soon.
Emmaline said:
Jenn, have you had your Vit D levels checked? It sounds like your immune system is stressed out. I'd look into that, we want our levels to be on the high side of the lab range.
I personally take 5000u daily, and step that up to10,000u during the winter. On that dose my levels were finally up to the higher end of the lab range. It's helped with my immune system greatly. You are bombarded with everything where you work, so you need to support your immune system...one that is already stressed out because of what you've been through.
Jenn, I am not sure if you are even on this site anymore but my son has been struggling. He had decompression surgery June 3, 2015. He had about 2 good weeks post surgery. We had really no instruction from the surgeon as to what he can and can't do after surgery. He just told my son who is 14 if you feels sick after doing something don't do it. He seems to be getting absolutely every illness and has been out of school for almost a month. I think he has only been in school a half dozen days. We are going to the neurologist today. I have a call into the neurosurgeon for 2 days now. Can you tell me how long your were getting sick? Was it due to your immune system working overtime from the healing? Did you increase your vitamin D or B complex? What helped or how long did you continue to get sick following surgery? I am feeling lost.
Hi Lisa, I saw your post and wanted to respond. I'm sorry your son isn't recovering as fast as you'd hoped. I can't imagine how tough that is on a 14 year old who just wants to be, well, a 14 year old boy!
I think we all tend to think that surgery is the fix and underestimate the trauma and stress that occurs to to the body when it undergoes surgery and general anaesthesia, not least of which is the impact upon the immune system which can take from a few weeks to many months to recover .... more of a marathon than a sprint. During this time the body is more prone to infections, not just around the surgical wound itself but any and all other areas of the body.
Everything I've read is to do with taking steps to protect yourself from infection: - personal hygiene, skin health (avoiding cuts and skin breaks), avoiding germs, practicing food safety - and providing the body with everything it needs to heal and support the immune system: plenty of rest and sleep, a good healthy balanced diet with lots of fruit and vegetables and gentle exercise.
As well as your NS and NL I would think that your family doctor should be able to offer advice and support, maybe even a simple blood test just to make sure he's not anaemic or deficient in any areas? Are there any options for home schooling or a home tutor if you're concerned about him falling behind with his studies?
I hope you get some help from the medics that gets him back on the road to full health as soon as possible. Kindest, Jules
Im sorry to hear so many are struggling with their health. I too catch every illness. I have a 7yr old son that I try to be envolved with his school but each time I go in I get sick. The flu a cold it doesn’t matter I get it. I hate not being as involved as I wish to be because of not feeling well enough. Its not fair but I don’t know what else to do but continue pushing myself :, (