As promised on my previous discussions, here is my 1 month update following my MVD.
Week 1-2 - see previous discussions which I posted.
Week 2-4 - on no pain meds and have very little pain, only main issue is still with balance but my NS already told me that it takes at least 6 weeks for the brain to rebalance so this was expected.
NOTE: Please check with your car insurance co before you drive following MVD, in the UK you are not insured until the NS signs you off, which for me will be 8 weeks from my MVD.
Week 4, feeling so great, went to Portugal, first two days completely relaxed and rested in the sun, then spent the next 5 days in the villa with major swelling all around the MVD incision, headache all over my head, neck and lower spine which was worse than MVD surgery pain and couldn’t keep anything down, no meds (incl anti sickness), food or water. Flew home and went straight to A&E where I was put on anti sickness, pain relief, fluids and steroids to reduce the swelling all via IV.
Now feeling much better, swelling has significantly reduced and headache much better. The steroids were definitely what I needed, shame they didn’t provide these anyway after the MVD or at least warned that if you get swelling post MVD to make sure to get some! I have not read that this could happen and as I felt so well 4 weeks in thought I was in the clear!
Hi Quickie,
Thanks for sharing your experience! Sorry your holiday got cut short, but so glad you got treatment for the swelling etc I hope you’re recovery continues with no surprises, take care of you, ((( hugs ))) Mimi
Thanks MImi, freaking out again as swelling has increased again tonight and pain is getting steadily worse.
On a separate note, read on your page that you only had 8 staples, that’s fantastic, I ended up with 34 and thought this was the norm until I read your discussion. Fortunately they didnt shave off too much of my hair and the remaining hair does cover it.
Take care and hope your recovery continues to go well for you.
Quickie, what’s causing the swelling ? Did they explain this to you?
The first 2 weeks for pain related to surgery I used ice packs for some relief, don’t know if you’ve tried that yet or not…hope things settle down soon for you.
Let me know how you’re doing in the days ahead, Mimi
I hope your swelling goes soon, and they find out the reason for it. I am now 4 months post op, and I still get some swelling of the surgery site, which I only really notice because my glasses get uncomfortable and leave dents behind my ear. I notice it swells by the end of the day, and particularly if I’ve had a big day. I still get nerve pains all over my head from time to time during every day, but this I’m told is quite normal. My pain isn’t bad enough to need pain killers.