Post by chickiet on Sept 19, 2008 6:21:55 GMT -6
All,
Sorry I've been away for a while. I do try to get on and read the posts, but it's usually late in the day after a long day of work, etc. No excuse I know...
Anyway, my major issues have been an increase in pain and numbness over the past 10 months since my second surgery. It has been gradual but noticeable. My pain mgt doc now has me pretty well loaded up with non-narcotic meds (Lyrica and Nortriptylene) - every time he increases a dosage, it seems to help for a little while and then things get worse again, plus there's the side effects of the meds - and those side effects are becoming unacceptable as well.
All the while, my MRIs have shown that the syrinx that was at my tumor site and had initially deflated after surgery (it deflated after both of my surgeries, actually) has now grown larger. It is a bit longer than before but is also bigger in diameter, so it's taking up more space inside my spinal cord. In addition, my cord is slightly tethered. Either or both of these issues could be causing my worsening symptoms, as my MRIs of my entire spine and brain thankfully show no tumor cells ;D
Given my worsening symptoms and expanding syrinx, we have decided to go back in for a third surgery. My NS will go back into the spinal cord and put a k-tube into my syrinx that will drain the spinal fluid back to where it belongs. If it works as intended, the tube will act as a shunt to continue moving the fluid out, thus keeping the syrinx from expanding again. While he's back there, he is detether the cord as well.
While putting in a shunt doesn't always work, I feel like this is the only option for potential relief. I am not willing to wait and see if my sensory and balance issues continue to get worse and/or if I ultimately suffer motor issues as well. I'm willing to take the gamble in the hope that the surgery works.
I'm not expecting to feel better - I'm just hoping to not continue to get worse. When I think about how I felt 6 weeks after my second surgery vs. how I feel now (9 months later), it's pretty depressing.
Sooo anyway - - my surgery is scheduled for Tuesday, September 30th. My NS is saying 5 days in the hospital as the best case scenario.
On the plus side, I should have more time for posting during my recovery period.
Chris
Sorry I've been away for a while. I do try to get on and read the posts, but it's usually late in the day after a long day of work, etc. No excuse I know...
Anyway, my major issues have been an increase in pain and numbness over the past 10 months since my second surgery. It has been gradual but noticeable. My pain mgt doc now has me pretty well loaded up with non-narcotic meds (Lyrica and Nortriptylene) - every time he increases a dosage, it seems to help for a little while and then things get worse again, plus there's the side effects of the meds - and those side effects are becoming unacceptable as well.
All the while, my MRIs have shown that the syrinx that was at my tumor site and had initially deflated after surgery (it deflated after both of my surgeries, actually) has now grown larger. It is a bit longer than before but is also bigger in diameter, so it's taking up more space inside my spinal cord. In addition, my cord is slightly tethered. Either or both of these issues could be causing my worsening symptoms, as my MRIs of my entire spine and brain thankfully show no tumor cells ;D
Given my worsening symptoms and expanding syrinx, we have decided to go back in for a third surgery. My NS will go back into the spinal cord and put a k-tube into my syrinx that will drain the spinal fluid back to where it belongs. If it works as intended, the tube will act as a shunt to continue moving the fluid out, thus keeping the syrinx from expanding again. While he's back there, he is detether the cord as well.
While putting in a shunt doesn't always work, I feel like this is the only option for potential relief. I am not willing to wait and see if my sensory and balance issues continue to get worse and/or if I ultimately suffer motor issues as well. I'm willing to take the gamble in the hope that the surgery works.
I'm not expecting to feel better - I'm just hoping to not continue to get worse. When I think about how I felt 6 weeks after my second surgery vs. how I feel now (9 months later), it's pretty depressing.
Sooo anyway - - my surgery is scheduled for Tuesday, September 30th. My NS is saying 5 days in the hospital as the best case scenario.
On the plus side, I should have more time for posting during my recovery period.
Chris
