Hi everyone, I'm new to your site and from what I see the support is great. I'm a rare case in that my Left vertebral Artery was not only compressing my TN, but it was also compressing my Medulla. It ultimately caused my entire brainstem to shift in my skull.
I have a few questions related to Recovery:
1. My Dr. suspected my Vagus Nerve was being compressed because I was having terrible tachycardia, sweating, shortness of breath, and anxiety that didn't have a source. Sure enough, this was the case when he moved the artery away from the brainstem. The tissue compression on the Medulla is still compressed and the surgeon says it might take up to a year before it returns to normal. I hope that makes sense when you read this. The tissue just doesn't bounce back b/c in my case, it was being compressed for about 8 years.
I'm still having the Anxiety now that I'm 1 week out of surgery. My heart rate is better, but not perfect and I still sweat bad, but now where near as bad.
My hearing in my Left ear is bad now. Feels like I was smacked in the head with a bat and I'm having bad ringing in my ears. I also feel like everything is distorted or brain fog.
My Surgeon is out of State and he is impossible to get in touch with. The Nurse Practitioner told me the hearing and bat in the head stuff is normal, but she couldn't comment on the left over Anxiety as a symptom rather then a "Real" anxiety. I also feel like I'm going to cry for no reason, but I'm not depressed as in depressed. Life is good and I have no reason to feel this way and if I get up and move around, the feeling of crying goes away.. very strange...
Appreciate any comments.. I don't like this weird head stuff...
Hi, Well I don't know very much..but I can say your body has just been thru A LOT..give it time and do what feels GOOD. I know alot about anxiety as well. deep breaths are good and meditation also. Take your mind off of it.. Your favorite music. Preferably the relaxing kind!! Think positve thoughts..I wish you a speedy recovery.. and a pain free one too!!
Sincerely, Min
P.S. After I had my GKRS surgery it felt like somebody boxed my ear for...I guess about 4 months afterwards...so I feel ya....
Gary, a couple of additional thoughts. (1) Post-Op feelings of depression or anxiety are reported by patients fairly often in MVD. I don't think anyone has quite figured out the science behind that. But you have already discovered one of the better ways to combat depression: non-impact exercise (moving about, walking -- NOT running) is good for raising general endorphin levels in the bloodstream. (2) There is no such thing as "pseudo" anxiety versus "real" anxiety. You're anxious, and your care providers will just have to deal with that as you work past it. It may be useful to spend a few sessions with a psychologist who specializes in non-medication support to chronic pain patients. Anyone with that sort of training should recognize that what you're dealing with is likely transient, however immediately disturbing it feels (3) The tachycardia is indeed typical of a Vagus nerve compression. I'm not sure I've read your posting correctly: has the tachycardia subsided? If not, then it would be wise to so inform the nurse practitioner who is monitoring you in the absence of the doctor.
If they started reducing any of your med's coming off of you med's might be causing a little bit of withdrawal symptoms I know when they reduced my Gabapentin I had some depression and withdrawal symptoms
