Post Op, Right arm

[KEdwards03]

Hi there! I can't tell you how helpful this community has been for me on my crazy journey. I had my decompression surgery on April 21st and spent 4 days in the hospital. I already feel better than I did before my surgery. I have only had a couple of bad headache days! Before the headaches were constant, day in, day out. Life was miserable. So that alone makes me consider my surgery a "Success". Of course I have other problems that I was told would take time to heal, if they did at all (of course there were no guarantees made). My right arm has been a problem for so very long. It swells and i constantly get tendinitis. It actually is colder than the rest of my body. Anyway, I have an appointment June 2nd and I will ask the doctors then, in the mean time I am curious to know if anyone else has had issues similar to this. The more I use it, the worse it is. I am of course, right handed. I can barely write, type, or do my makeup. I need my amazing husband's help to blow dry my crazy uncontrollable hair, he helps me straighten it too. I can barely manage to use it without it getting terrible. Some days it is so bad I literally can't move my fingers without holding my breath because it is so painful. My doctor at my post op appointment told me, "If your making it hurt, you aren't allowing it to heal". I don't know if i should put it in a sling or what. I use it all the time, its my dominant hand. Has anyone had this problem or something similar and do you have any helpful information? Also, if you live in Oregon, Dr. Vora with Kaiser at Mt. Talbert/Sunnyside is the man to see. I have been on a LONG journey with this Chiari diagnosis and someone who understands is SO hard to come by. I highly recommend seeing him, a true professional who understands Chiari. Kaiser has been difficult to deal with, but he made it all worth it.

[selmaS]

  No worries.....I am home bound since my surgery I no longer work or drive a car....and I have things here to keep me busy ...I usually turn the computer on in the afternoon and pop on every so often to see if nething is going on...lol...

I believe in paying it forward....I got help here, so I offer help here : )

[KEdwards03]

You are so helpful, you must dedicate a lot of time to this site. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart for all the advice, help, time and effort you put into this. It has been so helpful to my family and I.

[selmaS]

  Hi..welcome back !

Today is my 5 yr Zipperversary and in that time each yr I see new benefits....this is a surgery that can take time to see ALL the benefits,....

My legs would always swell...get cold....my PCP even gave me pills for retaining water as we had no idea what was causing it....the last time it happened was Oct....a yr ago...and it was not as bad as the other events I had.....and that was only the 3rd time since surgery....so not bad at all....

Is ur Dr on our Drs list? If not please add to the Drs list thread so he will be added to the complete list in the Health Pages.....

I had issues blow drying my hair...washing my hair so soon post op....there are things that do get better with time...so for now enjoy ur new hair dresser....lol... my DH was mine as well,...lol...

U may be doing too much too soon...listen to ur body.

Taking walks are important as is the neck exercises to help prevent scar tissue and the muscles from getting tight.

No lifting, pulling, pushing or bending....relax, and rest, rest, rest.