PRAYER THREAD~~~ KerricC1

[selmaS]

Hi all please wear your purple to gain awareness for Chiari and show support for our friend as they head in for surgery on Monday July 27th.

Sending Good Vibes ~~~~~ and prayers to them and all in  charge of their care.

and sending Healing MoJo for a smooth recovery.

[KerriC1]

Thank you very much for the advise! According to my op notes the top right corner of the patch didn't seal so he added more sutures and attached a piece of muscle to it. Hopefully that wasn't the area where the leak formed. But it would make sense. I will take extra precautions with it just to be safe! Thank you

[Lottida]

Hi I also wanted to encourage you to refrain from coughing, sneezing or laughing.  I had a CSF leak which was caused from a sneezing attack.  I suspect I had a weak spot on my durapatch that the sneezing caused it to rupture.  I had to have a 2nd surgery because my leak was so big.  I know leaks often seal on their own so I just wanted to give you a little more "ammo" to help assist it to seal!!!  I couldn't cough, sneeze or laugh for 6 weeks after my 2nd surgery.  Good luck & hoping you leak seals quickly!!!!

[KerriC1]

Thank you so very much. The support here is amazing and appreciated. So glad I found this forum and friends that can fully understand this condition

[LLMomAndWife]

Stay strong KerriC1. A lot of us are routing for your speedy recovery!

[selmaS]

  No worries....hope you feel better soon and see benefits from the surgery.

[KerriC1]

I didn't really think too much of the small leak because he didn't seem concerned about it and literally said there is some fluid there but it's perfectly normal so I really didn't give it a second thought. I will be very cautious now just in case. Thank you again

[KerriC1]

Thank you very much for listening and advising me. It's so confusing when you have many things going on and not completely sure if it's to be expected of its a war I g sign of something else. Such a strange condition....

[selmaS]

  So you do have  leak.....hmmm.....well it is best to keep flat as much as possible...and as you mentioned hydrated.....

The pulsing and whooshing could be related to the leak.....as is the positional change from laying down to standing....try rolling to one side lay there a while, then slowly sit up....then slowly stand  ( I am sure you are not bounding out of bed) but go as slow as possible and see if it helps any....

[KerriC1]

I've been trying to note whether symptoms are positional, and I think it just fluctuates. I do notice a pulsing and whooshing headache when I change positions from laying to standing, but the numbness doesn't seem to get better or worse with positions. And as far as the meds go I have been tapering down in them to see if that's what's causing it but there doesn't seem to be a link there either. I know on my MRI that he ordered he did say there was a small leak but that it was normal and it happens to everyone right after surgery. So I just keep laying and hydrating and hope for the best

[selmaS]

  Hmmm yes that is puzzling....do you feel worse when upright or laying down?

Is there a difference?

Are you taking your meds according to a schedule?

[KerriC1]

I have t been doing much of anything to be honest. I haven't even been out of be house since I got home. Just some slow walking and adhering to the 2 hours up and thirty minutes lying down. This is what is puzzling me

[selmaS]

  Well it should not be worse....did you do anything activity wise that could have caused it?

I know for me, going places there were a lot of people or noise could trigger a major migraine....even florescent lights will still trigger symptoms for me....

Be aware of what you are doing lifting things more then 5 lbs can cause issues, bending, pulling, pushing..etc....

[KerriC1]

Not necessarily new but defff worse and longer lasting than pre op. The dizziness is worse also. And I had a migraine 4 days ago. It was a bit different than my previous ones but I still thought it was too soon to be suffering from them again. I'm hopeful that all this will pass soon and it's just a normal healing process.

[selmaS]

  Is this a new symptom? If so, contact your Dr.....if it is one you had b4....it can take time.

As you heal some old symptoms may return, it is the nerves that were affected coming back to life and they can get over stimulated....but should be short lived....

Many of us do experience depression during recovery....as we still have ups and downs but they are to be expected and if you are aware of that it may hel you thru those times.

[KerriC1]

I know it's early in recovery but was wondering when this numbness in hands would go away. It's been daily since the Saturday following discharge. Now my left shoulder is rearing its ugly head... I'm not discouraged yet but it's getting to be a nuisance. Not quite sure if it's a problem or nkt

[selmaS]

  I know what you mean.....me either....but if I had to to help with new or worsening symptoms of this or related conditions I think I would....

[KerriC1]

I struggled in ICU due to the nausea and vomiting. Also my bp and oxygen kept dropping very low. Eventually my nurse had to put the bp cuff on my leg to monitor it more closely. I've been taking it very slow and one day at a time. Don't wanna undo anything! I never wanna have to go through that again for sure!

[selmaS]

  Aww so sorry you had to go thru that ....I know what it is like as I had a reaction to the morphine too....I was in ICU 2.5 days as a result.

  Thanks for the update and it is possible to have some issues post op...so rest rest and rest some more....it takes time to heal and some symptoms can return as you heal.

Keep us posted.

[KerriC1]

thank you to all who have sent prayers and well wishes my way. The first few days were extremely rough as i was in terrible pain and found out the hard way that i have a morphine allergy. Once the meds got switched i started feeling much better. All the numbness and tingling in my hands and feet were gone! I was discharged from the hospital on Friday and by Saturday i started having blurry vision and numb, tingly hands and a lot of head pressure. I called and spoke with Dr. h's assistant who said to lay flat and by Monday if not better they may order and mri. So thats exactly what happened and doc said everything looked fine. So i guess im just trying to figure out whats normal and whats not. Just wanted to share my story and thank everyone for all the prayers. I hope all is well with everyone!

[Lottida]

Sending prayers your way for a smooth recovery!!!  Hope the nausea is getting better!!

[selmaS]

   Aww so glad to hear all is going well....I also had the nausea afterward for me it was the pain meds.....so if it continues, have them try a different pain med.

[KerriC1]

She's in ICU right now. She's feeling sick to her stomach, but that's normal. She looks amazing! The numbness and tingling in her legs is already gone. I'm so amazed! Once again, thank you all so much! I greatly appreciate you!

[selmaS]

Fabulous !!  Thanks for the updates

[KerriC1]

She's out of surgery, everything went well! She should be out of recovery very soon and in ICU! Cannot wait to see her! Thank you all for your prayers!