Return to Work

[para1]

Hi all,

I had surgery for my AN in March.  In May I was back in the hospital for a week with a CSF leak.  I returned to work this week in a preschool class.  I can't even believe how exhausted I am.  I know that some of it has to be the usual tiredness of work but I feel like it's more.  I feel completely drained.  Also, it sounds crazy, but the bright colors of everything in the school and the kids coming at me in the hall totally disorient me not to mention the up and down on the floor with the kids.  I am just wondering if this can be normal at 6 months post op.  I'm starting to feel nervous that I may not be able to do the job I once did.  Any advice would be helpful.  Thanks!!!

[Brewers7]

You are still very early in your amazing recovery.  Be patient with yourself.  There is no telling what you will eventually be able to do.  I returned to work as a prosecutor at  6 months post op after massive complicatons (including a CSF leak).  It has been a learning process for me - much trial and error.  All in all, it has been good for me to get back into my somewhat altered routine.  I certainly can understand that dealing with kids would be challenging.  I just have to deal with criminals and their lawyers. 

[Rivergirl]

Para, Just wondering how you knew you had a csf leak.  I am 4 months post op and have more headaches, more deep ear pain and seems when I wake before the alarm in the morning with the worse headaches.  Could be all part of healing but I do worry about a leak.  Thanks

[para1]

I started getting very swollen at my incision site.  Then one morning when I got out of the shower I felt my hair which was already wet but my incision site it felt different.  After drying my hair, I could feel dripping and my husband could see the csf leaking out. 

[Syl]

Our recovery is a long one. I'm 3 years post-op & feel that I am still improving/getting stronger. I have less headaches, I'm not as drained at the end of the day. My balance is still improving & my wonkihead isn't wonki so often anymore.

This week was a demanding week for me at work. I was so tired by the time Friday came around, but it was just tired that I felt. For the first time in a long time, I could tell the difference between being tired & being drained. I was tired from work, not drained because of my AN.

I find that exercise helps me a great deal. I enjoy walking as my form of exercise. It has helped me a great deal with my balance & dizziness. But if I stop walking, as can happen in the winter, I notice a slight setback in my balance & dizzines.

Be patient. You will feel better.

Syl

[JAndrews]

I didn't feel like myself again until about a year. The fatigue/exhaustion was overwhelming for the first 5 or 6 months--it does get easier.