I had my surgery on December 2ND. Since the surgery, all of my pre-op symptoms have slowly returned. I had originally been diagnosed with Encephalopathy (brain disease) by my NL. It is a pretty vague term. I called my NS yesterday to let them know what about the symptoms and they said that it is probably just migraines, because I had a history of them. These are NOT migraines. They are pressure headaches. I had migraines soon after the birth of my son, 9 yrs ago! And they only lasted for about a year. Haven't had any since! They also said that they could refer me to a headaches specialist. Ugh!!! They are sending me back to my NL. The NS also asked if I had any swelling and I told them..yes, the left side of the incision is definitely higher than the right and I am still having a lot of pain on that side. The right side feels like nothing was ever done to it. She asked if I felt a pocket of fluid and I don't. So, she said not to worry that they would see me on the 11TH. Lol. I am starting to find all of it kind of amusing. Not one of them knows what this is like and I really don't think that they have any idea what is going on.
I know that I needed to have the decompression surgery because of the syrinx, but this is all kind of crazy. Now, I feel like I am back to square one. For some reason though, I have accepted it. I am OK. I don't know what changed overnight, but I can honestly say that I am prepared for more appointments and no real answers. As my Rheumatologist said...I am a bit of an enigma. I am going to take that as a compliment! Lol.
You are still very fresh from surgery so I'm not sure you can say the surgery didn't work at 4 weeks post-op. My NS told me I could see symptoms come and go for up to a year. I did have several bad headaches up through 8 weeks post-op.
I needed the surgery and I am sure it will be a long time before I am healed from it. It just seemed like the NS passed the buck. I wish they would just take things more seriously and actually listen. I have an appt on the 11th, hopefully they will just listen. They could have said that it is just the healing process, but they seem to think at 6 wks, I will be able to return to work....in the ICU?! I am not really comfortable with that at this point. It will eventually get better. I still have faith :)
How long ago did you have your surgery? Do you still have any pre-op symptoms?
Diana Smirl said:
You are still very fresh from surgery so I'm not sure you can say the surgery didn't work at 4 weeks post-op. My NS told me I could see symptoms come and go for up to a year. I did have several bad headaches up through 8 weeks post-op.
Dr Oro did my surgery 09/20/11. I have had a very smooth recovery. I was released 11/28/11 to do anything except contact sports or fast roller coasters.
The only symptom I am still having is my pinkies on both hands are numb most to the time. I didn't really have bad headaches before surgery. The vertigo, balance issues, cognitive problems and neck pain were my pre-op symptoms that I couldn't function through. I did have some bad headaches post op but the last one was Thanksgiving day and I have been good since. I think they may be migraines like I had back in my 20s because since then I have taken migranes meds as soon as I feel one coming on and it has helped.
I returned to work at 4 weeks post op but I am an Accounting Director and need to be able to think nothing physical.
FWIW, I did see 4 NS before surgery and 3 of the 4 made no guarentees on the surgery helping with the headaches.
Try to take it easy so you can heal. Will you see the NS to be released back to work?