ANA Discussion Forum
Post-Treatment => Post-Treatment => Topic started by: kma on March 15, 2009, 07:03:00 pm
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Hi everybody. I have another question and I though rather than adding to my first post, I would post this question seperately. I am having "head rushes" ~ for lack of a better term. It's kind of a quick flash (just a couple seconds) in my head ~ it's not really pain so much as just a really weird "not right" feeling. It happens when I either sit or stand to quickly or when I'm sitting and I lean back maybe too far ~ I was going to say slouch ~ but I don't think that's really it. I had an itch on my back and I leaned my back to the back of the chair to use it to scratch my itch and I got the same head rush. It happens most often when bending down or like I said ~ standing to sitting. Sorry ~ I think I'm rambling!! ::) Does anyone ever get this feeling? I always wonder if it's a spinal fluid thing and if it's normal and/or goes away on it's own. It's pretty much the same area of my head as when you cough or sneeze ~just stronger sensation. I think my doctor is sick of my callinig with questions and I don't see him again for about 2 more weeks. By the way, my surgery was February 6th and I came home on Valentine's Day. I think last Friday was my 5 week anniversary. ??? Thanks as always for listening and giving your opinions. You've made it so I don't freak out nearly as often as I was!! : ) ~ Kathy (KMA)
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Is the room spinning??
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Hi. It's not spinning and the "flash" or head rush sensation only lasts for a few seconds. I'm trying to figure out if it's head swelling or a spinal fluid issue. It makes me nervous and I can't tell if it's a "big deal" or not. Everything worries me lately.
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When in doubt call your doc. do not feel bad about calling.We all need help & support right now & thats what they get paid for.
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my guess they will say its normal post op BS...take it easy...you may be over doing it...I should have been a doctor ;D
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Maybe a Brain Surgeon? ;D
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yup!or ent or primary care.Happy St.paddys day!
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Is is sort of like dizziness but not quite the same. If it is, I have the same thing. It gets better, but very slowly.
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Today I'm not feeling well at all and I don't know if it's the weather or not. My stomach is upset and my head feels really heavy. I'm getting frustrated with the good day/bad day/good day/bad day.
My head "pain" is not dizziness. It's like a rush of pain or pressure. I spoke with my doctor yesterday and he just said that the head/scalp is tricky and it's just normal and to give it time. Seems like that's what he always says to anything I ask about. I'm probably just frustrated but sometimes it just seems like he's blowing me off. Ugh!
I also asked him about physical therapy and he said they don't normally do it but that he wouldn't object if I want to do it. He makes me feel like I'm the only one that ever asks questions or complains. It might just be my mood ~ I'm not sure.
~Kathy
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Kathy,
Be patient. The early part of the recovery is very frustrating because you sort of level off after a few weeks and then the improvement comes too slowly to notice day to day or even week to week. However, IT DOES COME. I had all sorts of symptoms in the beginning like hissing in my ear, hearing my heartbeat in my ear, extremely congested feelings in my ear and head, distorted hearing, dizziness, balance problems etc.... But they all slowly improved. I'm still improving. At a certain point you will feel well enough to go about your life even though you still have symptoms. Then after that you slowly improve further and the quality improves. Just be patient and confident and know that plenty of people are here for you so you can share your expriences and get feedback.
Wayne
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Wayne,
How did you keep from feeling down all the time? I just feel so sad and I'm not used to feeling that way. I have an upset stomach and I thought it was the food I was eating ~ because since surgery I've eaten ALOT. Now I think maybe it's anxiety. I just don't know HOW to get going. Your description of your symptoms sound so much like mine. All I hear in my AN ear is hissing. If I plug my other ear, I can hear a little if it's up close to my ear. How long did it take before you noticed any changes?
Kathy
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Kathy,
It is extremely frustrating even at 8 months to play "stop and go" but that's really what happens. My head felt abnormal like you describe at about 5 weeks. I'd still keep bothering the doc with it. My head really settled down after about 8 weeks. It still doesn't feel quite right, but it's way better than it was at 5 weeks!
Are able to get out and walk? What does that do to your head?
Best,
Marci
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Kathy,
I started doing some physical therapy exercises on my own after the first few weeks. If you do a search there are some good posts with suggestions about how to help yourself along. If you can't find them, I'll see if I have any of them bookmarked or in my email. When I started doing those exercises, I could notice small improvements week to week because I had something to compare to from the week before.
I also kept a log for the first 2 months.
I just got home from work this evening, but if I have some time tomorrow (and don't have to work), I'll give you some details. Otherwise, it will have to wait until Sunday because I usually work on Saturday.
Keep your chin up. The weeks will pass quickly and your symptoms will slowly diminish.
Wayne
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Marci~
I try to walk every day. Yesterday, it was FREEEEZING so I only did a quick circle around my block. It was way too cold (Michigan) but I'll be back at it today. I feel better after I walk except my ear which hisses really really loud after.
The past couple days have been hard. My stomach has been really upset and I don't know if it's depression/anxiety (I feel really weepy) or if it's the Naproxen I've been taking ~ maybe it's upsetting my stomach. I'm stopping the Naproxen to see if it's that.
Today, I'm going for my first haircut ~ hoping even things out a little bit ~ I know it's stupid but I'm really nervous.
I have to go back to work at the end of next week and I'm trying to get my head together before I go back. I just seem to get freaked out about everything lately.
I know everyone is different but I really appreciate it when you write how long things took you. It just gives me some sort of ballpark. thanks.
Kathy
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Kathy~
I went back to work after 3 months, but I had the whole stroke thing to deal with. When I started back, I did 1/2 days - I would STRONGLY recommend this if it at all feasible. I actually alternated between mornings and afternoons that first week...kind of helped b/c some mornings I had to get ready as soon as I woke up or deal w/ traffic and some I didn't. I taught so this really helped since mornings and afternoons are VERY different in the classroom. If you can't do 1/2 days, I hope that there is some place at least semi comfy so you can rest a bit here and there. Just know that when you come home, you will probably be EXHAUSTED at first and just want to sleep until morning!!
You can do anything you set your mind to!!
K
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K,
I'm going call my boss this morning to talk schedule (gulp).
Did you drive? I haven't tried driving yet. My doctor said "drive when you feel like it".
Not to sound silly ~ but how do you keep your positive attitude? I can't get it together.
Thanks for the posititve words.
Kathy
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Kathy,
It sounds like you are having some anxiety issues over and above recovering from surgery. I have some experience with that, but unrelated to my surgery. I actually handled the surgery better than I would have guessed. I would talk to your doctor about anxiety.
As far as exercises go, here's some things you can practice. I don't know what you are capable of now, but you can work yourself up slowly. It took me quite awhile to work myself through this list and I still have a lot of trouble with the ones on the bottom.
1. long walks
2. standing on one leg for 10 seconds (then the other leg)
3. standing heel to toe
4. standing with you eyes closed (make sure you are holding on to something or someone is with you so you don't fall)
5. walking while turning your head side to side
6. walking forward heal to toe (sobriety test) *** used to be tough, but now it's a pice of cake
7. walking backward heal to toe *** used to be tough, but now it's a pice of cake
8. standing heal to toe turning your head side to side *** used to be tough for me but now getting easier
9. walking head to toe turning your head side to side *** very difficult for me, but slowly getting better
10. standing on one leg with your eyes closed *** close to impossible, but I last a lot longer than I used to
11. standing heal to toe with your eyes closed *** close to impossible but I last a lot longer than I used to
Visual exercise.
1. Put a 6 inch letter "B" on the wall. Stand about 5 feet from it. Turn your head left and right but try to keep your eyes focused forward on the letter (about 1-2 minutes). Do the same thing up and down.
There are lot of others that are variations on these.
Wherever you are in your progress, you will notice after several weeks that you can do some things better and it will keep you encouraged.
Right now, I am working on the various walking exercises while turning my head and some of the tougher things with my eyes closed. They still give me a lot of trouble. But some of the stuff early on the list is a piece of cake now even though they were a struggle at the start.
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Kathy,
I started driving at about 4-5 weeks, but at first it was just in a parking lot away from traffic to test myself. Then it was just local where there wasn't much traffic etc.... I think you'll know when you are ready, but take a few baby steps first. You don't want to put yourself in danger because you are not ready. If you have someone that can drive with you, that would help because they can judge how you are doing and take over if necessary. I also did that a lot in the beginning.
Whenever I was feeling a little down, I tried one of my hobbies. They tended to distract me. I played my guitar a litte, watched sports when I had a rooting interest and could really get into the game, etc... If you have a hobby, get back into it.
Wayne
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Kathy,
I had CK 41/2 years ago and still have many "not feeling normal"days.........good days... bad days. I am most grateful for ....."Your tumor is dead" Fatigue, balance, memory issues still plague me. Anxiety does produce a variety of symtoms. If you can, just live each day the best way you know how. Hobbies do help to occupy the mind and ease some of the anxiety. This forum is a great scource of understanding and comfort. Keep coming back to it.
Judy
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Hey Kathy!
No, I could not drive when I first returned to work and i really don't even know how long out it was before I could. Unlike most ANer's, since I had had a stroke and was in "stroke therapy," I had to be able to reach a certain score on a simulator that measured my reaction time before I was allowed to drive again. It varies with everyone (doesn't everything on this AN journey) - it is not a contest, just do it when YOU feel ready. Most start slow around the neighborhood or on side streets...some even start in an empty parking lot - of course, always have someone else with you at first (it might be too much stimulation or you just might get tired all of the sudden!)! I hope that your conversation with your boss went well - I am anxious to hear what he (?) said - from the comments on your blog, it sounds like a pretty understanding group at work.
I don't know what has been the thing that has kept me so positive. I used to not acknowledge that I was a positive person, but i guess I am beginning to see that I really am. I have a VERY strong faith in God and I attribute everything to that; however, I know a lot of people have faith and still struggle with this or something else. (It's kind of like when people say that they did not have facial paralysis because people were praying for them - well, I had people praying for me too - literally all over the world - but I still have facial paralysis.) I don't think you can ever second guess God or His motives - you just have to make the best of them because there is a reason for everything if you look hard enough. I also have a wonderful support group of family and friends - and always have. Once again, I think that you have that too. I really think that it boils down to a kind of inherited trait. My mom broke her leg this Fall and I saw that persistance and determination (& attitude) that I can now see that I have too. I think that is how I was raised, you just take what you get and make the best of it. That being said, I have never been on any meds or been to counseling for depression/anxiety but I would be the FIRST IN LINE if I thought that I needed them. Sometimes just a little something can help ease some anxieties and help you get back to being the person you want to be - there is absolutely NOTHING wrong with that. One thing that I know I did (& still do sometimes) is set little goals for myself - even if it is just to get a shower that day!! I also love to make lists...I put EVERY little thing on it (even stuff I have already done sometimes) so I can cross it off and have more of a feeling of accomplishment!! ;)
Again, please know that I am available to talk to you anytime (actually, I would prefer that as it is not as easy for me to type as talk since my stroke)!!
K
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Kathy,
I'm still nervous about working but I've been at it since Sept. 15 and it's fine. My doctor's advice about driving was to wait until I could turn my head easily. I did gentle head turns daily until I was ready to drive and at that I only went a mile the first time. Added on from there.
I was also nervous the first time I got my hair done and kept saying "be careful of my scar", but that was just because I was a wreck. It was great to have a better haircut so it was well worth it. All of these things I was so unprepared for, even though I had read about everyone's stories here on the site. Guess I just thought I would recover faster than I have but when I look back on it I realize how far I've come in 8 months and I am pleased. I tried to push myself but not too hard and that seemed to work for me. This past week was a good one for me (dealing with pain and numbness) but this morning when I woke up I felt like I had just had surgery. I was so bummed. Can't this little train just move forward, even slowly?
I am very grateful for the good moments and will never take for granted what it's like to feel totally healthy. I hope we both get there soon!
Marci
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This haircut issue is pretty funny because the first time I got my haircut I told the woman my whole story so she would be really careful near the scar. ;D I guess it must be a natural fear.
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**HIJACK**
Marci~
Love the new pic!
K
*RESUME*
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Kay,
Thanks. That picture has a story.
Marci