Looks like surgery is in my near future. I've read the research and medical info but from experience how long is recovery back to work status. I know it's different for everyone and some dont make it back but just planning ahead. Btw Im a firefighter and I'm thinking I might need a career change.
I’m scheduled on feb 19 and was told to take 8 weeks off. I’m a RN but in a clinic setting so I’m not on my feet like I was when I worked in the ER. I’ve read the recovery is pretty hairy so I’m hoping all will go as planned. My NS seems to think it will be a quick rebound. Good luck!!
Everyone's Recovery is different & they do usually say 8 weeks or so. Some go back sooner and some go back later. There is no way to tell. Everyone is different pre and post surgical.
I was originally scheduled to go back at 4 weeks because I have a desk job but I had a flare-up of mono so it ended up being 6 weeks. The first couple of weeks were really tiring and that is with sitting down most the day. I'd say you may need even longer for an active job. Of course everyone is different! Best of luck to you! :)
For me, first two weeks were a blur- drug induced lol. I didnt drive for a good three months because of my neck, it took a long time to get my range of motion to the point where i felt like i could look far enough to the side to drive. I work from home so i cant say when i would have been back to work in a different environment. With your job, i would suggest physical therapy for your neck. I wish i would have. I think i would have had earlier recovery of those muscles if i had. It took me about 9 months before i could say i really felt like myself again. I dont know if that helps- just my experience. Good luck to you!
Wow. Im waiting for my surgery to come through as I've been on the waiting list since October last year - I am expecting the date to come up sometime in March. I don;t have private medical insurance so I have to go through the National hospital system here in NZ.
The First Neurology Specialists I was referred to said I would be back to work in a week. Then the Surgical Registrar said I would be in hospital for a week, home for a week, and back to work the week after.
Doesn't sound like this is a realistic time frame at all. If I was in better shape I think I would bounce back quicker, but since I have slowed down and become so unfit over the last few years I don't think this will be the case.
My job is administration based so sitting at computer all day - its tiring enough keeping my head up already. So not looking forward to trying to strengthen it again after surgery. I may become like those little dogs you put in the back window with the wobbly head.
forget me knots,
Neither of those time frames seem very realistic imo. I am not sure who you mean by neurology specialists or registrar, but are any of them doctors who actually perform this type of surgery?
This is major surgery, you would be the exception and not the rule if you were back to work two weeks after surgery imo. And I'm talking about zero post surgical complications.
I was only in the hospital for two days (this was in the height of the H1N1 flu season and my NS said he likes patients out of the hospital as soon as feasible) And I had a textbook surgery with zero complications and there is no way I would have been able to go to work after two weeks.
I am sure there are people who can, but realistically you should prepare for that not being the case.
My experience was originally my FMLA paperwork said I would be out 8 weeks. My surgery was on 6/21/12 and I ended up going back to work on 9/12/12/. I had exhausted all of my FMLA and was not ready to go back to work. I sat at a desk and talked on a phone all day scheduling therapy appointments. My last day of work ended up being 10/10/12. My neck is really and just now getting back to normal. Well I don't really know what normal is anymore. It is at the point now that I can turn it and drive now. I didn't drive until the week before I went back to work.
I would plan on 8 weeks. Do the physical therapy. GOOD LUCK!
Before you read this just remember that every person’s case is different…
I had a very rare form of this already rare condition. My herniation was at 22 mm and I was given only months to live if I didn’t have the surgery. I was a carpenter, quite physically demanding, but not as much as a firefighter probably. I had my surgery May 22, 2012 - I’m still not back to work and I won’t ever be able to return to construction.
But like I said, my case isn’t typical. But the reality of it all is this: You are going to have to accept MANY changes in your life because of this. It may turn out great on the other side, and it may not - HOPE for the best, but PREPARE for the worst.
I know I may sound a bit discouraging and bleek, but I feel like I was given false hopes before this whole experience and I needed to share my reality with anyone else facing this.
I wish you the very best in your surgery and recovery. Make sure you are surrounded by happy and loving people while you get better. Its been my wife and daughter that have gotten me through the worst of it.
I completely agree with you about given false hope. My surgeon told me I would be back to normal in 8 weeks tops. Normal? I've learned that my "normal" will never be what it once was. I am having a really hard time accepting that. I work on it on a daily basis. Some days aren't as bad as others. Of course that's all dependent on how much I am hurting. I wish that I would have done what some of you have done which is research this on my own prior to having the surgery. I really had no idea what I was in for.
DizzyE said:
Before you read this just remember that every person's case is different...
I had a very rare form of this already rare condition. My herniation was at 22 mm and I was given only months to live if I didn't have the surgery. I was a carpenter, quite physically demanding, but not as much as a firefighter probably. I had my surgery May 22, 2012 - I'm still not back to work and I won't ever be able to return to construction.
But like I said, my case isn't typical. But the reality of it all is this: You are going to have to accept MANY changes in your life because of this. It may turn out great on the other side, and it may not - HOPE for the best, but PREPARE for the worst.
I know I may sound a bit discouraging and bleek, but I feel like I was given false hopes before this whole experience and I needed to share my reality with anyone else facing this.
I wish you the very best in your surgery and recovery. Make sure you are surrounded by happy and loving people while you get better. Its been my wife and daughter that have gotten me through the worst of it.
My thoughts and prayers are with you my daughter. I will be there with you every step of the way. Have faith. I love you best friend.
Rachel said:
I'm scheduled on feb 19 and was told to take 8 weeks off. I'm a RN but in a clinic setting so I'm not on my feet like I was when I worked in the ER. I've read the recovery is pretty hairy so I'm hoping all will go as planned. My NS seems to think it will be a quick rebound. Good luck!!
Aw that is sweet Claudia! Bless you for being such a supportive mom, I know it’s scary to think of your child having brain surgery. Telling my mom I had Chiari was the worst.
I went back to work this past Monday, which was 5 1/2 weeks after surgery. I probably could have gone back sooner, but just wanted to be cautious. As DizzyE stated above, everyone’s case is different so take my next statement with a grain of salt, but I almost feel back to normal at this point. A new, good normal. I have more energy and stamina to be on my feet, too bad I have a desk job! I don’t have full range of motion in my neck yet but I’d say it’s 90% back?
I realize I could be the exception rather than the rule, but just wanted to throw my experience out there. Good luck!
As everyone else has stated, it depends on our situation. Please make sure to do physical therapy post op though. I really do think that if I had been offered it or asked for it right away, I may have had better success earlier on. I hope all goes well for you and please let us know when you have a date. I am glad that your doctors are moving on this and not putting you off, you seem to be one of the more fortunate ones. Count your blessings. Good luck :)
I went back to work at 7 weeks and started physical therapy at 6 weeks to get back range of motion and help with the tight muscles in neck. I was not in a lot of pain after surgery just sore and weak. My neck muscles were so weak. Physical therapy has helped so much! I highly recommend this surgery. Best decision I have made- I finally have hope that I can live a pain free normal life!
Good luck to your surgery, first off!
I am in the military, so I understand physical work, so here is my story. I had mine in August, 2012. Spent a few days in the hospital, and then sent home for 6 weeks recovery. I became severely infected and had to have three bouts of antibiotics before I beat it. I returned to work at about 20% honestly, and had to push through the day. Just take it real easy, it will take time to heal. After two months of just the cross trainer for PT, I started lifting weights again. I was nowhere even close to what I was at, and learned real fast not to push myself lol! I am six months out now and running ends at half a mile on good days, the pounding just hurts too much. Weight lifting is up to a better amount but I believe I have hit my limit for now.
I pray you have someone there 24/7 to help you heal when you leave the hospital. My wife was an angel and a life saver. Getting up to use the restroom took more effort than passing a budget in Congress!! Be safe brother and take your time with everything.
I was told I'd need 8 weeks off work. I was actually off for 6months, after a not so good recovery ended up having to get a shunt about 3months after my surgery