Question re: post surgery fatigue & recovery

General personal-stories
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Hi everyone,
I’m new to this group and I’m grateful for everyone here. I just had surgery less than 2 weeks ago on 6/9 having 2 coils and a stent implanted for a 3mm aneurysm. My first surgery was 10/5/2022 for a WEB mesh device of 7mm and now it partially came back. I don’t remember feeling so fatigued the first time, but maybe I blocked it out and I had more done a couple weeks ago.

I know everyone is different and I just wanted to find out what others have experienced. I do have a follow-up with my Neurosurgeon this Tuesday, so I look forward to asking him more questions. In the meantime, I noticed I have to do things in small doses or I get some head pressure and/or slight headache and need to take a nap. For instance, I went grocery shopping yesterday for about 30 min and was exhausted afterwards. Today, I met a friend for decaf coffee and felt head pressure after 20 min and couldn’t even visit/talk more than 35-40 min and had to nap/rest at home. I probably need to give myself some grace and allow my body to heal. I would appreciate any thoughts that anyone else has. Thank you!

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Hey @NancyG ,
Welcome to Ben’s Friends. My name’s Merl I’m a member of the modsupport team.
Two weeks since surgery? Technically, you’re still in what’s considered your ‘recovery period’. The ‘generalised’ recovery period is often given as 6-8wks post surgery. For some that recovery period can be less for others it can be longer, much longer. I think you need to give yourself a break. You’ve just had major neurosurgery and recovery takes time.

I’ve required a few neurosurgeries. My first was shocking, but I eventually got myself back into life. Three months later I was back having further surgery. I thought “I’ve been here before. I know how to recover from this…” only the second time round hit me MUCH harder. I convinced myself that by pushing myself to recover ‘quicker’, pushing my limits, I was building stamina, so I pushed and pushed some more. My body was telling me "Slow down or I’ll put you down’ I ignored it. Something went ‘POP’ and I woke up back in hospital needing further neurosurgery. Don’t do that.

As I often tell others “Listen to your own body. It will tell you, but you have to read those signs and LISTEN!!!” I didn’t and I kick myself every day for that. The medicos have told me ‘All fixed’ but this is all far from anything like fixed. I’ve required a few neurosurgeries (6 so far) and none of the recoveries have been the same. Some days I could leap a tall building in a single bound (OK, so a bit of an exaggeration), but then some days I’m lucky to even crawl out of bed. I never know what today might throw at me. I just have to be prepared to manage it all.

ABSOLUTELY!!!
Now is a time to be kind to yourself. Take the time your body needs and not just the time your mind thinks is enough.

Merl from the Modsupport Team

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Meri,
Thank you so much for your helpful and insightful response! I am so sorry to hear everything that you’ve gone through and I hope you’re doing better. It really puts things in perspective for me and I will definitely listen to my body, relax and take the time to heal. I just lost my job about a week before my surgery, which now I see was a good thing at this time. Sending you good thoughts and I’m grateful for all of your advice and guidance!

Thank you,
Nancy

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Hi @NancyG -

We are so happy to have you here with us!

I am sorry to learn that your aneurysm was growing again, but I am happy you are now the proud owner of some new coils and stent. I am optimistic this will take care of it once and for all!

I ruptured, and like you, have had to have several endovascular procedures. I agree with both you and Merl that each time is different, even though I am still the same person - there is just no predicting!

At one of my first neurologist visits post-rupture, she said it would be a year before I could go back to work: I thought that was nuts [admittedly I had several complicating factors, so I am not a straight-forward case]! However, I have learned and have come to appreciate how wise she was and that it really just does take months - sometimes even years - to recover from a brain injury/procedure. Multiple ones sometimes seem to just layer onto your recovery.

Like you, I remember going to the grocery store for the first time in months, and it was utterly exhausting, even though I was there in the day when crowds were less. For me, part of that exhaustion is just all the stimulation you get in (e.g.) a grocery store, with the lights, noise, smells, colors, crowds, it was just an assault on all my senses and my brain was exhausted from having to process it all. Over time, though, I got more and more accustomed to it, and I am much better able to manage these kinds of situations.

I was glad to read that you are using Headspace. Throughout this journey, I was encouraged to begin meditation as well, and it has definitely helped me to become aware of my body, so when - as Merl says - listen to your body, I actually have a better understanding as to what that means! :grin: I have also learned what refreshes me, so that when I do get fatigued during the day, I can tap into my toolkit and use some tricks to re-build my energy. This way, I can do what I need to accomplish through the day, while not ending up in a puddle on the floor! :rofl:

Merl has it right: be kind to yourself. You have been through a LOT, and there is NOTHING wrong with taking time to rest and recover!

Sending you healing energy!

Fin Whale Fan :whale:

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This really is the time that it’s ok for everything to be about you. No multitasking required. Make sure you are getting enough protein and hydration. Your body needs to get rid of the dye and your brain needs sufficient amounts of both to function. Check with your Neurosurgeon on how much of both you need. Mine was those $1 size Gatorades back for the first six procedures, I think they’re $3 now. It’s the single bottle size if that helps. For protein the grad student RDN came by and said minimum 90 gms of protein which is what is recommended in the USA, the WHO recommends 120 gms last I checked. You’d think they’d give us a flyer on everything, or a comic book. I may need a comic book!

Listen to Merl and @FinWhaleFan they’re pretty smart. Don’t tell Merl I think he’s smart, it will go to his head!

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Napping is good!:blush: My PCP and PT were always very supportive of the idea my whole body recovery would be a much longer journey than the stent/coil procedure recovery and that helped me be kinder to myself. I hope you continue to heal and rest, @NancyG

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