# Learning about options **URL:** \ **Category:** New User Help\ **Tags:** stories, treatment, symptoms\ **Created:** [January 7, 2026, 9:36pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/learning-about-options/21826 "2026-01-07T21:36:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Veganchrissy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/7993a0/32.png) [@Veganchrissy](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Veganchrissy)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2026, 6:00pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/learning-about-options/21826/41 "2026-09-10T18:00:26Z")
@RickAZ , Please let us know the updates and outcome from your latest appointment with Dr. Nakaji. I’m also not feeling better after my first surgery with him and my inflammation is high… likely stalling my progress. Today he’s calling with the results of my post-surgery CTV. I’m 10 weeks post-op. Does anyone have any pointers for effectively reducing inflammation? Chris ---
**Author:** ![RickAZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/94ad74/32.png) [@RickAZ](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/RickAZ)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2026, 7:33pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/learning-about-options/21826/42 "2026-09-10T19:33:40Z")
Hi Chris, the appears as expected, going to have an mrv soon to see what’s happening. Will know more after that. ---
**Author:** ![Veganchrissy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/7993a0/32.png) [@Veganchrissy](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Veganchrissy)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2026, 10:02pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/learning-about-options/21826/43 "2026-09-10T22:02:08Z")
@rickaz, Can you explain what you mean by “the appears as expected”? What prompted you to get an mrv and who ordered it? ---
**Author:** ![Isaiah\_40\_31](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwitheagle.org/isaiah_40_31/32/3054_2.png) [@Isaiah\_40\_31](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Isaiah_40_31)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2026, 10:10pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/learning-about-options/21826/44 "2026-09-10T22:10:29Z")
@Veganchrissy - I’m sorry your symptoms aren’t going away very quickly, You can continue with ice for a bit longer & gentle finger tip massage along the incision using Bio Oil, vitamin E oil, coconut oil or the like to prevent friction can be helpful. You can do this several times/day. There’s also info on YouTube & our forum about soft tissue/myofascial massage to help reduce scar tissue. > [@Dr. Costantino and Dr. Tobias Scar Tissue management](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/dr-costantino-and-dr-tobias-scar-tissue-management/21591): > > Hello, I have a question regarding scar tissue. I am susceptible to scar tissue and I am trying to minimize the chance of too much forming post surgery. Does anyone know what methods Dr. Costantino and Dr. Tobias use to reduce scar tissue? Another member mentioned the following: “Dr. Hepworth uses medical grade sheep tissue as a scar tissue deterrent around the IJV once he decompresses it. Supposedly, it acts sort of like a teflon barrier in that it provides a slicker surface which doesn’t all… It can take 3+ months post op to begin noticing improvement from vascular symptoms & many of our members who have bilateral compression didn’t get good overall symptoms resolution until they had their second IJV decompressed. Recovery does take time, patience & a positive mindset is also very helpful. ---
**Author:** ![RickAZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/94ad74/32.png) [@RickAZ](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/RickAZ)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2026, 10:41pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/learning-about-options/21826/45 "2026-09-10T22:41:44Z")
Sorry, I meant the appointment went as expected, not sure how it got cut off like that. What I meant was that I expected imaging to be the next course of action, and that is indeed what’s next. The improvements post surgery are apparently pretty variable, some feel much better right away, some take lots of time to feel better, and some symptoms may not resolve. There’s no good way to predict. I appear to be in the middle, some improvement but not resolution. Imaging will help determine next steps. If it looks like surgery has completely opened the veins, then it’s probably wait and see, hopefully symptoms will continue to improve. If not, then consider balloon dilation or revision depending on what’s visible. (Most likely further studies before making a decision). ---
**Author:** ![Veganchrissy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/7993a0/32.png) [@Veganchrissy](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Veganchrissy)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2026, 11:11pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/learning-about-options/21826/46 "2026-09-10T23:11:01Z")
@rickaz, is Nakaji suggesting an MRV post-surgery? Why this, as opposed to a CTV? What did your post-op imaging show after your first surgery? ---
**Author:** ![Jules](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwitheagle.org/jules/32/404_2.png) [@Jules](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Jules)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2026, 6:34pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/learning-about-options/21826/47 "2026-09-11T18:34:11Z")
Some members have had a course of steroids to reduce inflammation, I don’t know if that’s an option for you? What is going on for you with the inflammation? Anti-inflammatory diets can help, but they’re difficult! ---
**Author:** ![RickAZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/94ad74/32.png) [@RickAZ](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/RickAZ)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2026, 6:49pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/learning-about-options/21826/48 "2026-09-11T18:49:06Z")
I didn’t have post op imaging after first surgery because I was already planning the second surgery, doing post op imaging for both at the same time. my understanding is that CTV is better/ more accurate than MRV, but MRV doesn’t have the radiation hit. Trying MRV first and if it shows something wrong then will probably need a CTV to understand better what’s wrong. But if MRV is clear will wait longer and consider CTV if symptoms don’t subside. ---
**Author:** ![RickAZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/94ad74/32.png) [@RickAZ](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/RickAZ)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2026, 6:51pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/learning-about-options/21826/49 "2026-09-11T18:51:09Z")
I’ve been on an anti inflammatory diet for years, haven’t considered steroids yet but maybe. Recent blood test had low normal inflammatory markers so getting some imaging seems like best approach. ---
**Author:** ![Isaiah\_40\_31](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwitheagle.org/isaiah_40_31/32/3054_2.png) [@Isaiah\_40\_31](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Isaiah_40_31)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2026, 8:20pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/learning-about-options/21826/50 "2026-09-11T20:20:57Z")
@RickAZ - MRVs don’t have radiation, but the contrast used is gadolinium which is a heavy metal & some people suffer heavy metal toxicity reactions after receiving that contrast. There’s really not a winning situation w/ possible side effects from either a CT or MRI. > [@MRI contrast risks / Gadolinium toxicity](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/mri-contrast-risks-gadolinium-toxicity/14726): > > Here is a long overdue post. Due to my personal circumstances, I started looking into toxic effects of MRI contrast. And what I found, is extremely shocking. Many of us have got/are going to have MRI venograms (MRV) to investigate vascular system, so it might be worth reading… Briefly, MRI contrast media (GBCA - Gadolinium Based Contrast Agent) is made of heavy, extremely neurotoxic metal Gadolinium (Gd) “wrapped” in “envelope” molecule to eliminate its toxic effects and enable its excretion p… ---
**Author:** ![Veganchrissy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/7993a0/32.png) [@Veganchrissy](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Veganchrissy)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2026, 8:37pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/learning-about-options/21826/51 "2026-09-11T20:37:34Z")
@rickaz, thank you for the explanation. I hope you don’t mind all my questions. It’s just I’m trying to navigate this landscape and it’s tricky. Who are you having order these scans? Did Nakaji agree to decompress the second side without any post-op imaging? ---
**Author:** ![Jules](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwitheagle.org/jules/32/404_2.png) [@Jules](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Jules)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2026, 8:37am UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/learning-about-options/21826/52 "2026-09-12T08:37:50Z")
> [@RickAZ](#): > > I’ve been on an anti inflammatory diet for years, haven’t considered steroids yet but maybe. Recent blood test had low normal inflammatory markers so getting some imaging seems like best approach. Sorry, that was aimed @Veganchrissy , I didn’t make that clear! ---
**Author:** ![Isaiah\_40\_31](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwitheagle.org/isaiah_40_31/32/3054_2.png) [@Isaiah\_40\_31](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Isaiah_40_31)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2026, 5:12am UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/learning-about-options/21826/53 "2026-09-13T05:12:55Z")
@RickAZ - @callove posted a link about MRI contrast w/ an iron base vs gadolinium in [MRI contrast risks / Gadolinium toxicity - #37 by Jules](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/mri-contrast-risks-gadolinium-toxicity/14726/37) . You might want to talk to your doctor about requesting this vs gadolinium for your MRV. ---
**Author:** ![RickAZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/94ad74/32.png) [@RickAZ](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/RickAZ)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2026, 2:56pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/learning-about-options/21826/54 "2026-09-13T14:56:28Z")
It’s supposed to be without contrast, but the order is held up with my insurance company at the moment so I’ll check it when it comes through. [Previous page](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/learning-about-options/21826.md?page=2)