Trying to prepare for surgrey

I have been a quiet member here for a few months now. I was Diagnosed in Feb. of this year with Chiari, I have not been on much medicine outside of aleve and meclizine for motion sickness. On the 9 of this month I went for a check up after having stabbing pains in my back, shoulders, and lungs. My headaches are not very long lasting, 30 seconds to 10 minutes, but very frequent and extremely painful. It effects my hearing and vision. My NS said its time for surgrey, and Im terrified. I have so many unanswered questions, and so little info. If I dont have the surgrey does that mean Im gonna get worse? If I do have the surgrey is it going to do nothing, and I still get worse anyway. I guess what I want out of this discussion is for anyone who has had the surgrey please tell me your story.

Angie, I had surgery June 12, I can’t remember when I felt better. I spent one day in ICU, was moved to a regular room the next day, I was sent home the next morning. I was working from home after two weeks, and back at work after 4 weeks. Here are my tips: make sure you have a good relationship with your NS, ask questions; make sure you have a good support team that understands your pain management; and listen to your body. I’m already doing things that I haven’t done in 3+ years.

Good luck, the road ahead will not be as hard as the road behind you. Don’t look back.