Just an update

[Devin215]

Hey eveyone,
Just wanted to update all of you. I am doing ok. The headaches have been tappering off ( I DO still get them though)and are now more treatable and not as intense. One problem I have been having though is severe muscle tension in my shoulders and lower back accompanied with lower back/leg and shoulder pain. I have been going to physical therapy and they have been doing traction on my lower back (up to 75 lbs). They found some mild disc bulging in l4 and l5 I also have mild facet joint degeneration and I saw a note on my physical medicine Dr's screen saying possible early onset of DDD. She wasnt too familiar with Chiari but she is very open minded and on my side to be convservative since I have already gone though the brain surgery. She refered me to Accupuncture for the muslce tension since physical therapy isnt doing much for me. My physical therapist thinks my body just responded to the surgery funky and pulled all my muscles up into knots to try to heal. They have gone as far as masaging my shoulders so hard I literally had a bruise the next day on my back in and attempt to make the muscle release and even that didn't work. I am slowly getting better though and am back to work full time at 40-44 hours a week. Has anyone tried the accupuncture? if you have what is your advice or feedback?

[*Stormy*]

I'm glad to hear that things are finally going a little better for you!

I haven't tried acupuncture either but I have been thinking about it...maybe something to ask my PT

survivor- I've heard a few of you now saying that the TENS machine really works. At PT I thought that was what they were hooking me up to but it's actually called an Interferon..do you know what the difference is? I take it you have bought your own..do you know where I can purchase one? I would much rather go that route than go back on meds.
Thanks
Carolyn

[survivor08]

TENS unit saves me!  Muscle pain had been my biggest complaint for the past 10 years and my TENS unit has kept me from losing my mind.

[selmaS]

Hi Devin...thanks for the update...I still have the tight shoulders....heat helps and I do the shoulder rolls...ect....massage would feel great :)

I am sure ur muscles r still a bit sensitive from the surgery....but, if u r brusing easy u should mention it to ur dr.

A friend of mine did /does go for acupuncture....she said that it does make a difference who u go to for it and a older Chinese practiciner.....she does get pain during it...and said that she also gets benefits.....

"selma"

Good for u back to work  already !!...