I want to thank all of you who have answered my previous questions. I am thinking about surgery, have a consultation with the chiari institute in new york on nov 22.
Can anyone tell me what the quality of life is like after surgery? Is a full recovery to "normal" life expected? Do symptoms often come back? Will I be able to exercise and lift weights? or is weight lifting a no-no once you have this surgery? So many questions....
I thank you all who respond so much!! I need as much help as I can get, as this is such a difficult decision.
Hello I just wanted to add alittle here. I just had my surgery alittle over a week ago. I’m told by my doctor from U of penn that once I’m fully recovered I can do whatever I want go off-roading with a helmet of course go on an atv she didn’t think I would have a lot of limitations. If you power lift or do extreme lifting that’s something to ask you doctor.
I am about 2 weeks post op and am glad I did the surgery. I think it will be another couple weeks before I’m able to start lifting and doing normal activities. But so far so good.
There is lots of great hope for a great life after surgery! Just stay positive.
I’m four months post-surgery and despite some initial speed bumps my quality of life is a lot better than it has been for years! I would never have been inclined to lift weights due to my symptoms anyway, but you will know when you are ready. I was advised to undertake no excercise or heavy lifting for six weeks but to be honest even now my family won’t let me lift much anyway, it’s not a bad set up
I was decompressed (and C-1 removed) 3 years ago for Chiari and a large syrinx. I had a very good outcome. My syrinx collapsed, progression of symptoms stopped, and some neuro symptoms went away over time. I am left with a couple of minor neuro symptoms but nothing than really impacts the quality of my life. My NS, who was a college athlete and is very into fitness, said that it was fine for me to resume all weight training and cardio, etc. once I felt well enough to do so and had completed enough PT to make sure my shoulders, neck, and back were strong enough again. In fact, he strongly encouraged me to take it slowly but try very hard to get back to my full range of activities by working with the PT to isolate and strengthen muscle groups whenever I was experiencing soreness and mild pain. I had a lot of discouraging moments but I am so grateful he didn’t let me quit and tell myself that I wouldn’t ever be able to do certain things again (like jogging). It has taken time but I am pretty well back to normal. I should say that I am middle aged so when I say weight training I am not talking very heavy lifting. However, I used to bench press and did decide on my own not to resume because I have some concern that the slightly weaker condition of my cervical spine and neck due to surgery might put me at much more risk for injury. This is my worry, not from the doctor or PT, but I have chosen to move on to other things. There are not any restrictions whatsoever on my activities but I will likely never go on amusement park rides that jerk you around, bungie jump, ride bumper cars, or water ski again because I don’t want any injuries to my neck that could cause trouble and lead to another surgery. I think I can live without all of that with no problem!!
Because I had a syrinx, surgery was a necessity. I had a great surgeon with a lot of Chiari experience and an excellent track record. It sounds like you have done your research and going to TCI for their opinion is great. I would also suggest that since it sounds like you are into fitness and able to exercise, Etc. without pain, that you get yourself in the best shape you can before surgery. My docs all said that my recovery was greatly helped by my pre surgery fitness and I also believe that to be true.
I’m 9 weeks post op and my quality of life is better than it has been in years. My tremors are gone. My heart rate went from 100+ resting to 60 resting. My shortness of breath, balance issues, insomnia, headaches with straining and bending are all gone. The only time I have head pain and neck pain is during a barometric pressure change the day before storms arrive. My doctor, a chiari specialist, tells me that this symptom could go away as I will continue to get even better for up to a year post op. I did have the dura opened, and a C1 lamenectomy as well. I came to my doctor unable to work and taking 8 meds daily. I’m now applying to full time jobs and taking zero daily meds. I’m shocked at how well my recovery has gone. I saw him last week and he said the only thing I need to avoid are roller coasters and football…I’m a 35 year old, small framed girl so I w
I too was told the only thing to avoid was roller coasters. I had decompression and cervical fusion in March. It was a long recovery, but I feel better than I have in a very long time. I also had my surgery at the Chiari Institute. Best of luck to you.
