Hello I am 35 years old and had decompression surgery 4 years ago on Feb 15th 2017. So I have noticed in the past 3 or 4 months my headaches are back, I’m stumbling all over the place, and recently I don’t know if it has anything to do with anything but from my knees down have started going numb on me. My speech is also getting horrible again I really don’t know what to do or what they can do to help I really don’t wanna have to get in the dtate I was in before😔 has anyone had the symptoms come back? And if so what can be done?
Yes.
I reported my symptoms to my pcp, he discredited my concerns saying ‘They operated, they fixed’ so I ignored it all. That was a bad, BAD idea, as my symptoms got progressively worse. When I eventually saw the surgeon he was furious, there was an issue which needed to be followed up surgically and berated me for not following it up with him. But to see him I needed a referral from my pcp who wouldn’t listen. When I explained this to the surgeon he stated ‘Get a new pcp’ which I have now done.
My advice: Follow it up NOW.
The reality is that it could be any number of things, but if you’re seeing a progression of symptoms then something needs to be investigated. They could come back and say ‘Ohh, it’s all normal, it’s all OK…’ but by the same accord, leave it and things could progress way past that point of ‘…the dtate I was in before…’
“…what can be done?” That really can depend on what’s going on. As we age our bone structure changes, this can put pressure on nerves, sending odd messages to the brain. As the structure changes this can alter the flow of fluids (Blood and CSF) within the brain and spinal column, this too can alter sensation. If these fluids get blocked that can cause some major symptoms, ignore that and you can do your self some serious harm.
Go and get it checked out. They may well say ‘Ohh, it’s all normal, it’s all OK…’ but if it’s not OK and you ignore it, take it from me, it can be life changing. Don’t let it get to that point, make an appointment, get it all checked out and follow through with the dr’s advice. If the medicos minimise your concerns, get a 2nd, 3rd, 4th… opinion. You know your body better than anybody and if somethings not right only you will know, so it’s up to you to follow it up.
Hope it helps
Merl from the Modsupport Team
Be forceful with your surgeon! I have been told iam fixed and it’s all in my head! NO 
it’s been in my head for 15 years! Hold fast sister!
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Uummmm, not always a good approach I’m sorry to say. I have tried this and they tend to get a little bit anti, OK, OK a LOT anti. Some have a strong dislike to their knowledge or management being questioned. We often go to medicos looking for answers but sometimes they do not have the answers we seek, rather than admit they don’t know they give us scenarios of ‘it could be or it could be or it could be…’
I have tried that ‘Be forceful’ approach and received the response of “I’m the surgeon, I’ve completed years of study, so I know. You? you’re just the patient. You wouldn’t know…” but when I pushed the point ohh, they didn’t like that at all, labelling me as a ‘Non-compliant Patient’. I’ve been on this journey for many years and I’ve trialled many of their therapies, it’s not that I’m ‘non-compliant’ but rather cannot see the sense in repeating exactly the same therapies but be expecting a different result. So, I’d be cautious in being ‘Forceful’. Dont disturb that dragon, cos that dragon’s got big teeth and a bad bite.
Merl from the Modsupport Team