ANA Discussion Forum
General Category => AN Issues => Topic started by: Trackman on May 10, 2008, 09:11:55 am
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I am 10 weeeks post op. I have been back to work for 3 weeks. I have no energy, after work take 2 hours naps. Everything else is fine.
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Trackman~
I would say that this is fairly normal - especially depending on how taxing (either physically or mentally) your job is. Everyone heals at different rates - you may need more rest. Even my girlies are that way with naps -- my last one is a sleeper like me -- she is 5 & stills could take a nap almost every day if it fit her schedule!! I remember the days I would come home from teaching and go to bed until the next morning!! Give it more time!
K
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Hi Trackman -
Thanks for the heads up - I'm only 10 days out, so daily naps are part of my life right now. I will probably need to plan on continued naps for awhile. I am starting back to work part time next week, but I work from home, so napping isn't a problem.
Deb (yawn...)
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Trackman:
Fatigue and/or a need for daily naps is not at all uncommon for recovering AN patients.
Between the effects of the growing AN that forced your body to try and compensate for the loss of hearing (and collateral balance input) and the trauma of a long surgery - under anesthesia - your system is simply drained. Add to that, your body is furiously trying to heal itself. All that makes for little excess energy to spare and so, as you try to function normally, you simply lack the reserves to do so without fatigue and a concomitant need for rest. This is usually not the sign of a problem but an indication of a body that has been highly taxed and is simply regenerating, which saps strength you would normally have. It will pass. We're not physicians so if you're really worried, you could always ask your doctor about this. I expect he or she would assure you that its relatively normal after a serious surgery.
As Kmentioned, we all heal differently. You may just need a bit longer. Don't fight it or be overly concerned but do get the rest your body tells you it needs. Eventually, you'll be back to normal because 'Time Heals'. :)
Jim
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How many hours were you under anesthesia? It takes approximately 1 week to recover from 1 hour of anesthesia. I was under for 16 hours, and it was almost 4 months before I didn't need my daily nap.
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Trackman -
I'm with the others. This is normal for 10 weeks post op - and you can most likely expect it to last for a while. Major surgery, anesthesia for many hours, healing brain and body, all this leads to fatigue. It will pass in time.
Hang in there,
Jan
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Trackman,
Fatigue at your stage and time frame of recovery is NORMAL!
I think I needed naps for 4 months after surgery...
Now I don't nap nor need to. So know there IS a light at the end of the tunnel. :)
I am optimistic that what you are experiencing is normal and with time you will improve. The key is to not become dormant and to make sure, for vestibular reasons, that you walk for 20 minutes per day (even if you fatigue from doing it and have to instantly lay down after a walk.) It is very important at this stage of your recovery to keep the circulation going as this keeps blood flowing which in turn will keep the flow of CSF and dura fluid circulating also.
CSF (Cerebrospinal fluid)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cerebrospinal_fluid
Cerebral blood flow
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cerebral_blood_flow
blood circulatory system
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circulatory_system
Keep moving forward and also get plenty of rest.
Cheers,
Daisy Head Mazy
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wel its coming up on 5 1/2 months for me and i am still tired. as my PCP and Surgeon keep telling me this tumor removal, via the surgery, was MAJOR surgery. And it may take a good while for it to get back to normal , but signs are improving.
As is my facial paralysis kinda.
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I needed 2 hour naps for 2 months after surgery. My surgery lasted 13 hours! Very very long, so I must have really been full of dope. Your body will let you know when your energy level is back to normal. Until then, rest! Good luck.
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A 13 hour surgery, Zeek :o
Mind if I ask how large your AN was?
Jan
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Jan
I didn’t get the exact size, but Dr.Chen at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh didn’t seem concerned with the size. The Translab surgery, 3/4/08, lasted 5.5 hours but I was in recovery for 7 hours. A few rough days but all went as expected. My balance is off a little but coming around. Been back teaching for 4 weeks now. Gratefully for some wonderful doctors.
Trackman
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Trackman,
Wow :o I would say you are recovering amazingly well. 10 weeks post translab and you are back at teaching in the classroom already- no wonder you are tired. :-\
I would say to keep doing what you are doing- as you appear to be right on track.
There has been a teacher dialogue, in the past, about how to deal with the new ssd in the classroom titles “classroom noise� – if you are interested.
http://anausa.org/forum/index.php?topic=5313.0
Here you come to us for advice for fatigue and you sound like you are bouncing back better than many of us. What is your secret?
Daisy Head Mazy
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Trackman -
we both had surgery on the same day - although mine was much less invasive (BAHA implant). I'm glad your surgery was only 5 hours; from your post I thought the entire procedure took 13 and I was imagining a very large AN. My AN was 2.5+ cm and my surgery was 7 1/2 hours.
You sound like you are doing great! The balance will probably get better with time.
Jan
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Hi Trackman-
I, too, am impressed that you are already back to teaching - very encouraging! Hope you'll continue to post with your progress - selfishly, I really like hearing about how others are doing as I muddle my way through my own recovery. You rock!
Debbi (muddling along in NJ...)
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WOW - What an eye opener... My surgery was 7 weeks ago. I maybe have taken 5 naps and all but one was taken the first week after surgery. I am back to work a couple hours here and there at home (no biggy) but fulltime at it come June, which will be 10 weeks. I almost committed to going back fulltime to the office sooner but now that I have read these comments I am defintely not.It sounds as if once you go back at it fulltime there is not much else you are able to do because of the fatigue (which I was wondering ??? if that was the case). THANK YOU all for sharing as I was feeling a little guilty for not going back sooner.
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Ohio Also -
don't feel guilty. Everyone recovers on their own timeframe. I remember the first couple of days after I came home for the hospital. By the time I showered, I barely had the energy to get dressed. But that was just me - and I'm sure not everyone experienced this.
Do what works best for you. Rest when you need to and don't overdo it. You have been through a major surgery and it takes time to get back to your normal routine.
Take care of yourself,
Jan
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Hello trackman,
That was normal for me also, it will take time but your energy does come back.... You need time to heal and sleeping is a sign of healing I hear. And brain surgery does take a toll on you.
good luck and don't get discouraged.
eve