Lightheaded/dizzy after Chiari Decompression surgery

[Missyper]

Hello.  I am almost 4 weeks post op for my Chiari Decompressiom/c1 Laminectomy.  For those of you that have had the surgery, is it normal to be lightheaded/dizzy post op?  It's not spells, it's continuous.  I'm getting stronger and regaining some balance, it's just the dizziness and eyes that still bother me at all times.  Any input would be appreciated.  Thank you!

[selmaS]

A heating pad would be what you want to use......just do not use it for more then 15 mins at a time......and only if you do not have swelling.....

I could not lay with my head flat on the bed for some time....you may be rushing to do things too soon.....

If you had a CSF leak the symptoms can be much more severe including vomiting and most times can not be upright at all....granted there are small leaks that do not have such a drastic effect on us...but dizziness because of moving too fast that soon post op...could just be moving too fast.

Try to slow down ,listen to your body and if you feel the symptoms are too  much, ,then call your Dr.

[Cakal87]

How are you now? Did you had this dizzyness immediatelly after the op or couple days/weeks later? I have been operated i also feel dizzy unsteady post op...selma are u there?

[selmaS]

Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

Yes I am here....I am not always on line but I do check in daily if I can.....

May I ask when you had your surgery? What all was done during  your surgery? What are you doing daily since surgery?

[Cakal87]

Hello Selma,

My surgery was 7 march..cutting some from c1 vertebrae and the dura is opened and a patch is settled from braun i think.. (not from my skin)..i walk daily..i try to turn with my neck..neck exercises like it is written on page of mayoclinic..

Although i have ringing in both ears..not very loud bit still loud..back stiffness/pain...pain between shoulder blades..and i get sometimes dizzy/off balance..especially when i move quick with my head or do neck exercises..

When i turn on bed or on the couch...
What should i do? You are long on this forum right..

[selmaS]

Do you use heat before and after your neck exercises? It is important to relax the muscles before you exercise....and heat is  only used for a short period of time and ONLY if there is no swelling.

If you have swelling you need to use ice.

Is the Mayo clinic where you had surgery? ANd are the exercises listed the ones they showed you prior to be released?

What are your daily activities outside of the waking and neck exercises?

[Missyper]

Hi Cakal87!  Sadly, I'm still the same, worse even since returning to work.  I have constant dizziness and light headedness.  Since going back to work I have to hold on to walls and have several times I nearly pass out everyday. :(  My weakness and body buzzing from head to toe is back now too.  I've heard the dizziness is common and can take several months to subside.  I hooe you find relief soon!

[Missyper]

Sorry, I didn't answer your question.  I can't remember the hospital much, but yes, as soon as I came home I stated noticing the dizziness.   I thought it was from my meds so I got off of them after a week and the dizziness hasn't stopped or let up since.

[Cakal87]

Hello Selma,

I dont use heat before and after exercises..no i live in the Nehterlands..have been operated in Belgium by a experienced surgeon..this dizzines came after couple weeks post op..3/4 weeks later..

I havent it constantly sometimes..Selma during a day i try to walk 3 times (20/30min)
I go to physical therapy 3times a week light relax massage to my trapezium muscles..doing some light strengt exercices with him

Uh and further i try to sleep during the day take a nap..further watching tv..eatinghealty..going little bit to family/friends..resting home

Although i try my best to recover unfortunatelly my body still feels stiff especially the neck and the back the trapezium muscle..ringing in ears..dizzyness no balance..arms feel little heavy..if i wear something like 3/4 kg it hurts my body.

[Cakal87]

Missyper when have you been operated? Dura opened? And a patch is put?

[selmaS]

Using heat before and after should help relax those tight muscles...PT should be able to show you that and be doing that with you when you go for therapy.

Didn't your Dr give you exercises? What about the PT you see?

Make sure you are doing the right exercises and doing them correctly....as it is possible to do them wrong and then they will not be of benefit to you.

The dizziness, it i w worse on standing , ,sitting up from laying down. or worse when laying down?

[Cakal87]

First it was worsening laying on the bed turning wity me head on the bed..now sometimes if i pick up something on the ground and quickly get up..

Or when i walk fast and turn my head..

I dont know if it is coming from post op or this bpdd position problem with inner ear balance..my gp says could be from that.. habent seen the surgeon yet..


You mean by using heat..warm water ? Or staying in a heat saunna..something like that..hesat place.. for those tight muscles..they are indeed tight..my neck..trapezium muscles..shoulder muscles..

What could it be..what shall i tell the surgeon.
Could i have a inner csf leak..the incision looks good and nothing is wrong with it no redness..but i still have some symptoms (also rining in ears on a quite place it is hearable)

[Cakal87]

The dr said walk each day more step by step..move your neck to the left and right slightly..and go to pt..i try those neck exercises which is written on mayoclinics site chiari exercises daily..i can move my neck better if you compare it with the first weeks after op

[selmaS]

Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

I had surgery and I did have lightheadedness depending on what activities I was involved in....we are told to avoid certain activities....lifting, straining, pushing and pulling can all cause us to not feel well...listen to your body....if this is hapening without any activities contact your Dr and let him know how you feel

[Missyper]

Thank you for the reply.  The lightheaded/Dizziness and sometimes faint feeling seems to happen with and without activity and certainly more pronounced when I am trying to walk and move about.  I did notify my neurosurgeon who did not seem concerned as he says it will take some time and to be patient.  It just does not feel right by any means.  Though I do trust my neurosurgeon, knowing that other people that have been decompressed have also experienced this helps to alleviate some of the anxiety from this unsettling and unrelenting post op dizziness.

[selmaS]

Are you off all your pain  meds? They can lead to feeling like that too....even the stopping of them....plus just the nerves that were impingeed coming "back to life".....they can be over stimulated at times.....and your Dr is right, it does take time and for each of us the amount of time can be different/