|
The Recovery, Part 3
By
Tom Quirk |
After the coiling or
clipping, hospitalization and therapy, the patient returns
home. Certain physical problems may occur that are
aneurysmal event and / or procedure related.
Among these are headaches, incision pain, jaw pain, clicking
noise, back pain, hair loss, constipation, hearing loss,
visual disturbances, seizures, drowsiness and fatigue.
Headaches are quite common and tend to depend on the
severity of the hemorrhage, and do not, as feared, indicate
the presence of another aneurysm.
The instance of re-rupture is almost zero. Medications can
relieve the discomfort, but in severe cases, one should seek
medical attention. Coiled patients typically are evaluated
over the years, with follow-up tests like angiograms.
Incision pain, jaw pain and the clicking noise are related
to the healing process. Back pain is associated with the
lack of activity and is often eased by therapy. The hair
loss and constipation issues usually occur from medication
and will improve.
Hearing loss is a result of fluid accumulation or the
surgery and in most cases is temporary.
Seizures are unlikely if anticonvulsants are prescribed and
this routinely is the case with hemorrhage patients for
several months. If a patient experiences postoperative
seizures, the driver’s license must be surrendered.
Drowsiness and fatigue are very common but usually will
improve with time. The survivor must learn to relax. It is
prudent to prioritize your tasks and to do only those that
are absolutely necessary. Delegate other responsibilities
and plan the day with rest periods and naps.
The terms recovery and healing are often used
interchangeably and often incorrectly. The Ruptured Cerebral
Aneurysm booklet provides an insightful distinction. Healing
is the body’s natural process of restoring its damaged
tissues to a normal or nearly normal state.
Although healing may be improved by good health, proper
nutrition, rest and physical fitness, it will occur without
working at it.
Massachusetts General Hospital neurosurgeon, Dr. Chris
Oglivy uses the term “tincture of time.” Recovery is the
process during which one works to become well. It requires a
gradual but persistent effort to increase physical strengths
and minimize the weaknesses. |
ABOUT THE
AUTHOR
For more information you may contact Tom Quirk at (781)
545-2300, extension 628 or via email at tfquirk@aol.com. For
more detailed information about brain aneurysms, please
visit the Brain Aneurysm Foundation’s web site at
www.bafound.org.
The South Shore Brain Aneurysm Support
Group meetings are held the second Wednesday of every month,
from 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. at St. Mary's Parish Center, 2 Edward
Foster Road, Scituate.
|
|
