I think I’m going to get one. I felt okay and now I have high pressure again. I guess, it’s early days as only 7 days post op. Fingers crossed I get some relief x
3 Likes
@Hamonrye - Your post op swelling has just peaked so it’s not surprising you’re feeling high pressure again. Continuing to sleep/rest w/ significant head elevation at night i.e. ~30º, icing & taking your pain meds on schedule will be helpful toward getting better rest. The neck collar @SCJeff mentioned could help keep your head in a more neutral position when you’re asleep. If your head pressure stays high for the first month post op, you could ask for an Rx for a blood thinner. We’ve had a few members who’ve found that helpful for several months after decompression surgery.
As much as I am sorry to say this, it may take 3-4 months after surgery before you begin feeling significant improvement, but it could be sooner. I just don’t want you to get discouraged about not feeling better in the first few weeks post op.
3 Likes
definitely still early days, thinking of you and praying for healing 
2 Likes
I’ve had some really good days, but the last 2 days (I’m 3 weeks post op from C1 shave) have been tough. I have terrible head pain which is there from when I get up and I also feel sick. I’m waiting for a reply from Dr Axon to see if there is any pain relief they can give me. I’m due to start back at work on Monday, but I’m not sure I’m well enough to go. I just wondered what other people’s experiences were?
1 Like
@Hamonrye - Recovery from ES surgery is not linear. Symptoms can come & go for quite a number of months, & post op migraines after IJV decompression can take 3-4 months to significantly reduce. Sometimes it’s sooner though. If you could take a little more time off work, or if you could work from home part time for a couple of weeks, that would be better than trying to go back while you feel so bad.
You can try icing or applying heat to your neck (whichever works best) & sleeping with head elevation. Some members have gone on a prescription blood thinner for a few months post op to reduce head pressure & headache symptoms as they heal so you could ask about that.
I’m sorry for your set back but I do know what you’re going through is part of the recovery process.
3 Likes
I’m sorry that you’re in more pain, as @Isaiah_40_31 says the recovery from ES surgery definitely has ups & downs, steps forward & then back, so this certainly isn’t unusual…
Here’s a link to a recent discussion so you know that you’re not alone:
Post Surgery Headaches After (1) Month - General - Living with Eagle
If you can delay going back to work that would be helpful… I hope that Mr Axon has some suggestions to help you , and try to focus on what has improved
3 Likes
Thanks both. I will look into the link. I’ve just said to work I’m not ready. Fingers crossed the next few weeks will see an improvement. I know previously I saw a cranial osteopath who worked wonders, so I do wonder if some of it with me is muscular too. I just don’t want to do anything for next few weeks in case I make it worse.
2 Likes
It’s a good idea to wait at least 4-6 weeks post op before trying manual therapy or PT of any type so healing can get a good start.
You’re making a wise decision to delay going back to work. I hope the next couple of weeks of resting & keeping stress at a low level will make a huge difference in how you feel, @Hamonrye!
2 Likes
I don’t know if this link would be any help, there’s info about healing timeline:
2 Likes
That’s really helpful. I just feel like I’m on a roller coaster atm. I think it could be head pressure, but I’m not sure? I’m not going back to work on Monday, if I feel like this. Hopefully, Dr Axon will get back to me and suggest some medication.
1 Like
The vagus nerve can get irritated with the surgery, that can cause a ‘flight or fight’ response, is this what you feel, or do you mean more emotionally like on a roller coaster? That’s not surprising if so; we fight so hard for a diagnosis, fight hard to get surgery, then after the surgery if it’s not an instant improvement that can be frustrating
2 Likes
I do feel emotional, but more like the physical sensation of a rollercoaster. I’ve noticed on my CT scan I have empty sella, whereas on the previous MRI I had partial empty sella. I don’t know whether to ask for some tests to check on hormones too. I just worry that this will be rejected, but I guess, I should try.
1 Like
It’s always worthwhile advocating for yourself, @Hamonrye. The more you press for what you think you need, the better the chance that you’ll eventually receive it. Getting your hormone levels checked would certainly not be an unreasonable request.
Being emotional post op could certainly be related to vagus nerve irritation from prior to surgery & also from post op swelling. I think that will settle down as more time passes.
Rollercoaster sensation could just be your brain adjusting to a new level of blood flow but it must be a disconcerting feeling being constant. I hope Dr. Axon can help you.
2 Likes
A blood test to check cortisol levels doesn’t sound unreasonable… I would think you could get those done through one of the online testing companies if your GP won’t request it?
2 Likes
Yes, I will mention. It’s so hard to work out what’s what.
2 Likes