Hi all, I am writing after a several-months-long whirlwind of fighting to get authorization for IJV decompression surgery. I finally had the surgery on Monday. I have bilateral compression but as is the Drs.’ strategy, I had my dominant IJV (right side) decompressed. Styloidectomy; resection of C1 transverse process tubercle; fasciotomy; digastric muscle resection; lysis of occipital nerve. They also removed some lymph nodes that were compressing the space and had to work around some nerves that were in obstructive places.
I was discharged Tuesday around 11AM. From discharge to this morning, the worst side effects have been nausea (probably from pain meds) and some pain and swelling/tightness at the incision area, but nothing over a 5/10.
This morning I felt so great that I made the mistake of trying to do a couple things (folded laundry, walked up and down the stairs a few times… things that are “allowed” but perhaps I did too many of…) Found my limit & got hit with a wall of pain, throbbing, nausea, hot flashes. Learned my lesson there. I will be taking it even easier for the rest of the week. But otherwise, these first few days post-op have not been as miserable for me as I was anticipating, and I already feel better in several ways.
My experience with Dr. Costantino and Dr. Tobias has been extremely positive. I felt very well-cared-for, and I trust them and their process very much. So far, I am really pleased with how things have gone, and I look forward to how I will continue to recover & hopefully improve.
I’ll keep updating on how the recovery goes, in case it helps anyone else in their journey to relief as well.
Truly grateful for this forum, which is where I found all the info, recommendations, and referrals that have gotten me to this place of hopeful healing. Thank you all
@squidalltheway - Post op swelling peaks from days 3-5 or 6 so you may have some difficult days ahead still. I’m glad you’ve determined that taking it very easy over the next couple of weeks at least is necessary. It will take ~6 weeks to 2+ months for all the post op internal swelling to gradually subside. As long as there is inflammation, it can be putting pressure on nerves & blood vessels & give you the feeling that you’re not healing. That is not true! The healing process takes quite a number of months so a positive mindset & patience plus listening to your body as you’ve just done & resting when it asks will go far toward helping your recovery progress.
For now sleep w/ head elevation of ~30º, ice your neck for 15 min every couple of hours, & take your pain meds on schedule. If you’re taking Rx pain meds, a stool softener & laxative are mandatory to keep your “plumbing” flowing freely.
I look forward to reading your updates & am very glad your experience w/ Drs. Costantino & Tobias was so good & you’re off to a good start with your recovery.
I’m glad that you’re feeling better than you expected, but not that you overdid things (I did the same!)… I hope that you can heal well and that the surgery is successful, it sounds like you had a good team around you & have the best chance of relieving symptoms! Take care
Thank you @lsheep , @Isaiah_40_31 , and @Jules
Yyyeah, I spoke too soon the night before last + yesterday were the worst. My head very much felt like it was going to explode. Thank you for the expectations info, as well – it’s not a joke when the recovery is described as “up and down”.
Today (as of now) is an improvement from yesterday. My throat/neck feels tight, and I’m having that shoulder pain I was warned about (due to irritating the spinal accessory nerve, presumably)… but I got 3 hours of uninterrupted and comfortable!! sleep last night, which is a win in my book
I’m sorry your symptoms were worse yesterday but am happy that they were less severe today. It is frustrating when symptoms get worse for a few days after having gotten better. The good news is that as time passes you’ll have more & more good days & the less good ones get farther apart until there are no more really bad days.
the night before last + yesterday were the worst. My head very much felt like it was going to explode. Thank you for the expectations info, as well – it’s not a joke when the recovery is described as “up and down”.