Hi all! The MVD itself went great! No TN pain! I have had surgical side effects and am still in a solid amount of surgical pain (still need lots of narcotics). Did any of you still have pain for longer than expected?
The second comment/ question is- I see three therpists- one for physcial body/ motion rehab (gym type work, for walking and weakness, etc., one for cognative therapy and one for vision- convergence insuffenciany- double vision and vision problems. I have months ahead of me with this. It is in its way improveing my over all health- which is great. However, is this "normal"? I see my sergeon next week for my frist post-op so will find out more then.
Were any of you out of work for more than a month post mvd?
No TN pain is great news!!! The surgical side effects should subside. I had a little PT/OT after my MVD, it got stopped after 2 weeks (to the day) when that surgery failed.
You’ll have a better idea after you visit with your surgeon next week. Good things to you! bob
I was back to work 2 weeks after surgery. Actually, the 2nd week I was working from home, about 1/2 time. My scar was puffy and two years later, still hurts when I lie on it for too long. I'm sure it will always be sensitive.
I didn't do any PT at all, but I can tell you that it was not easy to recover physically. Standing for long periods of time wasn't an option, and climbing any stairs took at least twice as long as it used to. My head would be pounding after stairs. I found that commuting after surgery was difficult, because I LOOKED fine, so people would often be offended if I asked for a seat. I ignored them. :)
Good luck--and congratulations on the success of your surgery. It's an amazing feeling. Cherish every moment!
2nd week! wow! How I wish I had your strength and/ or lack of this surgical side effects! I’m still in bad head pain, can hardly walk with my sacrum out of alignment, and on and on. I’m feeling guilty right now thats its a month in and I can’t even wash the dishes.
Don't feel guilty! MVD is a crazy huge surgery and everyone reacts differently. I was only 30 years old at the time, too, and I'm not sure even two years later I would bounce back as well.
I would also ask your surgeon about seeing a chiropractor. It may be worth it--I also know other TN sufferers who have managed their pain that way.
I do remember my jaw hurting and aching for a few months afterwards. But now it is fine. Also, and I think this happens with any major surgery or trauma, my hair started falling out about 4 months after surgery. Not in clumps, but I was definitely shedding huge amounts of hair. SO strange!!
I was off work for the remainder of the school year (five weeks) after my surgery. Then I was off all summer. I felt very terrible and would never have been able to go back to work after two weeks. I was barely able to do anything for a month. I had terrible headaches and pain in my jaw. I tired easily most of the summer and when I went back to teaching in August, it was all I could do to get through some days. Talking and smiling makes my jaw hurt worse. I hope you’re having a good night. Hang in there. You are healing:)