So I have finally got around to doing something. i have emailed my NS to ask for more details. I thought if I do it by email it is not as easy to dodge the answer !!
He has confirmed that he does approx 5 of these surgeries annually, this makes me feel alot better. I know he is a very experienced and well respected surgeon and now I know he also does a few of these a year I feel happy to go ahead with surgery with him.
However I am also still considering getting the second opinion before I do so. Just to confirm that surgery is the right option for me.
As I am on the private list surgery could be as quick as 4-6 weeks away. Will be confirmed when I see him next
I have a few events in the pipeline and trying to get my year sorted as I know this surgery will take a while to recover from
So lets just say I have surgery end of March and I have a good recovery. What are the chances of me feeling up to a long haul flight at the start of July ? 3 months after surgery ???
I'm pleased you are not waiting ages for surgery. I had my operation in August 2015 and had really bad time with sickness and dizziness for months. I did a long haul the following April and I was fine. I do still need medication for dizziness but not everyday. Everyone recovers different as symptoms are different too. I would wait till you have surgery before booking a flight and see how you are. Just my opinion. Best of luck. X
Thanks Helen, I am thinking of booking the flight as they are really good prices right now. If I can't go then maybe I will be able to send someone in my place and just get the name changed on the ticket. Haven't decided yet though
Thanks for the input
Good if you have back up plan and won't loose your money. I was at a wedding but I think I would have been ok to travel a month or two earlier. My surgeon did say if recovered ok you can usually travel about 6weeks after surgery. But check with yours as depends on what they do. I had decompression and got bit infection in wound too. I was 59yrs old and was slow recovery. Hopefully yours will be much better.
Pleased to hear you are making progress with your surgery plans, you sound more at ease and positive....
3 months post op for long haul flight? honestly, your brave! Is it Somewhere hot? I only ask as I could not bare to be in the sun or cope with the heat at all, even 3 months post op and that was just a British summer!
However, it is good to make plans for a nice treat after the recovery. can you make it 4/5 months post op? You will probably enjoy it far more! 🍹
keep us posted 🙂
Not sure of the climate to be honest... My daughter is going away for a sporting competition in July and really wanted to go as well to support but it's China so a means a 20hour journey. Less of a treat and more of parenting requirement !!!
I don't have to go as she travels and stays with the team we would only be there for support but it's a long way from home for her to be !
I guess I will just have to see. At the moment the journey is looking like it would be 2 8hr flights with a 3 hr layover in Dubai.
Hi Helen,
Are you still on medication now ?
Now and again, if I have been in bed too long or on computer, I feel like I have bit dizziness and sort of motion sickness.
should you look after yourself, make sure you are not too long and be careful, my 3rd Ns told me on my appt..he said that even after decompression and after recovering period (6-7 months) chiarian patient should really be looking after tehmself..they can't do like normal people do (if I used to play squah 1 - 2 hours) I might reduce it to half or 45 minutes, definetely not allow on roller coaster..anything that caused dizziness (shaking yur head) etc..and I suppose computer eventhough its not shaking..it is using our brains quite intense...you have got to look after your self helen..what medication are you taking..was it prescribed by them? or over the counter?
Yes your right. They have gave me a prescription med. Some days better than others. He told me to try do things slowly like bending or getting up. As you say anything that shakes the head causes dizziness.
Well Lady..listen to your body and your health care professional'advise you dont want to be bad again..just look after your self..x
Yes I'm trying to do just that, but other parts of my body keep interfering, like my prolapse bladder and my disc in my back is out too lol
All getting sorted bit by bit haha. You have to keep positive and look after yourself best u can x
Guess what Helen???? we have the same condition...if In my opinion..prolapse bladder..if that bother you??? can you not just having stena or pad rather the operation???..when you are going to have your disk sort it..which part of UK are you?
I'm in North East , they have put pessary in about 4wks ago it was grade 2, so not a mild lapse and not severe. It seems to be fine at the moment. And I have had nerve block injection for the back which settled it a bit and getting another. I'm not wanting any operations unless absolutely nessary.
Yes, i have a nerve block as well, would your health care team not refer you to a pain management where they ccan help you with so many theraphy such as hydrotheraphy, accupuntute, tai chi, massage, yoga etc..its normally help..I used to be really terrible unable to walk with that back..I do strecthing and core exercise as well..and I used to take lots of medication..I take nothing at all now..just supplements, waters, magnesium and that pain management..the ccg in North east is excellent as well...
I started pilates and my leg went into spasms lol
But yes I'm refered for physio ect..
I also swear by the magnesium oil too. I try not to take meds and have started little job part time, which is keeping me active.
wow Helen..that is good..at least that job keep you active..well if you can keep doing that its wonderful that is a bonus..that would be my goal..going back to work again..are you able to drive?
Haha, no but because I never passed my test. I worked in an office before operation and I'm now doing domestic work in a hospital just 3hrs a night. One wk in and one off. It's end of life and dementia patients ward, it makes me appreciate what I have.
you have to be careful then when you are doing domestic work..its that bending..up and down..hovering..head left ..right...(oh..I am dizzy..even imagining it)ha..ha
I'm on an evening shift so not too heavy. It's more changing water jugs, replenishing soaps, hand towels ect... Only little bit mopping and light cleaning. I'm terrible though for not finishing on time as end up making cuppas and chatting to patients. Lol