My surgery will be Nov 4th with Dr. Bejjani in Pittsburgh.
I am at 85%-95% success rate (relief of symptoms) if I remember his #'s correctly.
3-6 weeks recovery time: 1-2 days hospital stay.
I hope it works!
I have fibromyalgia and migraines, IBS and TMJ.
I keep having surgeries.
Sheesh!
I had a hysterectomy, carpal tunnel on both hands and bunionectomy with a big toe (1st MPJ) joint fusion due to no cartilage in both feet!
The only thing left to dig into is my head!
Lol
I am trying to be funny cuz even though I am actually looking forward to getting potential relief I am also a bit nervous cuz it's head surgery and cuz I was told the 1st 1-3 days are going to be bad.
I’m so glad for you! Your comment about them having nothing else to dig into but your head made me laugh! So your normal for being nervous, it is a brain surgery. My immediate post op experience wasn’t bad at all, though. My pain level was very low. I was in the 'spital for 5 days and asleep for 99% of it. I was nauseated and had some vomiting for a couple of days but the actual pain was almost undetectable. I know you didn’t ask for any advice here but I’m gonna throw some out there: make sure your bowels are working before you start eating normal food again- you don’t want a fecal impaction! Also, be prepared to be very tired for months after, try to go with the flow of what your body tells you and just relax into the recovery process- some people (definately me) get a lot of anxiety and depression during this time. I’m am very hopeful for your successful outcome!
Jenn
Thank you so much! I didn't expect it to be so quick! I could have had the surgery done next Wed but I LIVE for my Halloween/Fall and I would rather wait. I am glad to know people on here are so kind and supportive. I will be here lots I think! I will heed your advice about the BM's being good before surgery: had that with my hysterectomy. Sheesh! I never appreciated going to the bathroom nore than when I COULDN'T! Lol I will try very hard to not be anxious and relax and get better after surgery. After all there is Thanksgiving and Christmas time to look forward too!
jcdemar said:
Ophelia,
I'm so glad for you! Your comment about them having nothing else to dig into but your head made me laugh! So your normal for being nervous, it is a brain surgery. My immediate post op experience wasn't bad at all, though. My pain level was very low. I was in the 'spital for 5 days and asleep for 99% of it. I was nauseated and had some vomiting for a couple of days but the actual pain was almost undetectable. I know you didn't ask for any advice here but I'm gonna throw some out there: make sure your bowels are working before you start eating normal food again- you don't want a fecal impaction! Also, be prepared to be very tired for months after, try to go with the flow of what your body tells you and just relax into the recovery process- some people (definately me) get a lot of anxiety and depression during this time. I'm am very hopeful for your successful outcome! Jenn
No, I have not been checked for it but I was wondering if I needed to be?
I don't seem to have any symptoms of it. What symptoms do you have?
And what relationship does it have to Chiari?
I know nothing about Ehlers Danlos except what the internet says (not always a great source!).
My Dr. did not mention it.
???
Let me know when you get a chance please. :-)
Abby said:
Have they checked you for Ehlers Danlos Syndrome? I have a lot of the same issues as you do. You really should be checked before your surgery.
Happy for you and know your doctor is a good one. You sound like my reaction to learning I had chiari. I was just glad to know it had a name and I was not abnormal! Wait a minute, having chiari is a rare thing. But, anyway know what you mean.
I have had lots of stitches and I have no problem healing at all.
Also, my skin does not stretch although I do have a lot of the other symptoms: ankles pop out of place and have fibromyalgia and the pain that goes with that. I will call tomorrow and ask for sure! I have an appt with the Ear Nose and Throat Dr. on Monday (my PCP referred me there) cuz of the lump in my throat. I am responding well to the Prilosec so far and I really think that it may be reflux but I dunno for sure. I will see what he says.
Abby said:
TMJ severe, both sides
Flat feet
knee cap pops out of place
bleeding after surgery/cuts more than normal
stitches pull out of tissue
IBS
varicose veins
scoliosis
degenetive disc disease cervical
ankles dislocate
Tennis elbow
hip, back, neck, shoulder pain
tested 7 out of 9 on the beighton evaluation
Restless Leg syndrome
severe growing pains as a child
velvet skin
scars are wide and paper thin
wrist pain
eye pain/ear pain/vision problems/
neck pops and cracks
reflexed odointoid
endometriosis and heavy periods
POTS or dysatuonomia
bunions and skin growth (non cancer)
joint and muscle pain
respiratory infections and a lot more
The reason it is so important to have this test done, is some of the complaints you listed. TMJ, carpal tunnel, bunions, joint fusion in both feet, and probably you had severe cramping and endometriosis.
Patients with EDS, need to be treated special while having major surgery. We tend to bleed more, stitches pull out of the tissues, so we need to have tape, glue, and very small stitches. You will have to read up on it and please get someone to send you for evaluation.
here are more of the symptoms
Symptoms of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
The severity of EDS symptoms varies from mild to very severe and debilitating. Symptoms depend on the specific type of EDS.
Well, I have not got enough symptoms to warrant any testing: I heal extremely well after surgery ( I have had a fibroid removed w/ a c-section type incision: 2 carpal tunnel release surgeries: 2 bunionectomies w/bone fusion: 1 hardware removal (from the bone fusion it was bothering me) 1 hysterectomy and my tonsils removed.
All surgeries went very well w/no bleeding issues and no problems with scarring.
My skin doesn't stretch and my joints don't dislocate.
I do have: TMJ, Migraines, Reflux, Fibromyalgia, IBS and Chiari and congenital Osteoarthritis that was present only in both my feet and a tiny bit in my lower back that was really quite normal cuz I fell in the snow once and hurt my back and the hernia I got from that healed on it's own). I also have a little bit of bursitis from time to time in my hip because of how I walk (w/ 2 fused big toe joints you walk differently and I can't afford my orthotic just yet...in a few more months I will get it).
I have had MRI's of my hips, lower back, my head 2x's and my neck 1x.
I have had EEG's, EKG's, Ultrasounds and a complete Bone Scan(which is where they found the tiny arthritis in my back). So...I think all shall be well. I never get infections from surgery and I never bleed or bruise much at all in fact. They always tell me I am a "perfect" healer and say it's probably cuz I don't smoke or drink.
The only thing I DO have that I don't know about is this damn lump in my throat. I hope on Monday the ENT Dr. can figure it out. I am tired of feeling like I have to burp and can't/ being strangled by a phantom thumb on the right side of my throat! Lol
My guess is I have Silent Reflux and/or the Chiari but I will let the DR figure it out. :-)
Hi,
I have been doing my ’ catching up’ reading here since I have been absent for so long…this discussion is truly amazing…wealth of knowledge here…
Thank you so much Abby for all your hard work in sharing much info…
This subject will help a lot of folks here, I am sure…Ophelia…I am so happy you are here and posting your topics of concern and interest…that is what makes this site so great…all our members!!!
Oh, how I have missed this place …you all!!!