There are a lot of questions generally put forward regarding recovery from Decompression surgery.

There are a lot of variables that affect recovery rates, certainly from the people that I have spoken to recently. Basically you need to look at a large number of them......

1. Does the person suffer from Chiari alone, or do they also suffer from Syringomyelia?
2. Does the person also suffer with Hydrocephalus?
3. How long have they suffered with symptoms?
4. How serious are the symptoms?
5. What symptoms doe they have?
6. How old are they?
7. What is their general level of fitness?
8. Do they suffer from any other conditions?
9. Was surgery complicated? or were there any other complications during surgery?
10. General level of health when going for surgery?
11. Have they had previous procedures?
12. Frame of mind?

And many many many more to consider........

In my experience, there is no definitive answer. My own Neurosurgeon told me that the usual is up to 3 months, dependant upon many variables as described above. No two patients are the same, no two Chiari's are the same, when you add Syringomyelia into the equation then it gets even tougher.

All I know is the longer the Syrinx is there, then the more residual nerve damage remains, the longer the symptoms are there with Chiari then the same applies.
The sooner you are treated, then the better the chances are of a better quality result at the other end.

I recovered from the surgery very quickly. I was allowed home after 4 to 5 days post op. I felt strong and I felt great. After the swelling had gone, and as I did more and more each day however, I soon realised that there was a lot more residual nerve damage than I was hoping for.

I have been speaking to a friend today who is less than 3 months post op and is looking to go back to work very shortly. I must say that the jury is out on that one. Although I do really hope that she is able to, but am really nervous for her. I would hate for her to get 2 or 3 weeks down the road and then realise that she took things too quickly. I am not being melodramatic at all, just practical.

It takes as long as it takes. I am definitely one for pushing myself that extra 10% each time I do something as that's what got me through surgery and immediate recovery. Set yourself achievable goals - but above all be practical at the same time.

I do try and push myself even now, but I am soon slapped back with the exhaustion of doing so.

Have a read of the following story. It is called "The Spoon Theory" written by a woman dealing with Lupus. Far more aggravating than Chiari can be generally, but it goes a long way to describe how many Chiarians feel day to day.

Recovery after surgery is one topic - usually about 3 months give or take. Recovery from the symptoms? Then there's another thing.

Surgery is designed to stop the progression of the condition - there is no promise of recovery or even improvement.

Personally, I made the decision to have surgery before my symptoms worsened greatly. From the date of making the decision to the actual surgery date, I did go downhill very quickly. I have never ever regretted having surgery. I now live with the residual nerve damage from my Syrinx (which has since shrunk) but which still prevents me from returning to the kind of work that I used to do. It also restricts me from doing the things I used to do like Mountain Biking, Sea Fishing, Driving and many other sociable activities.

Other links that you might find interesting:

Glossary

Chiari and Syringomyelia Symptoms

Forum – Somewhere I can meet other people the same as me

Does Chiari and Syringomyelia affect everyone in the same way?