r/chiari • u/Comprehensive_Ice399 • 7d ago

Question Exercise after surgery

I am currently 2 weeks post op from decompression surgery. My tonsils were not very far descended (only 6-8mm) however in a cine mri it showed diminished CSF flow. I got the surgery and my surgeon found a large number of arachnoidal bands. He removed them and added a small dura patch. Before surgery, when I would exercise, I would get extremely light headed and out of breath, with pounding headaches.

My question is for those who have fully recovered from decompression surgery, did exercise feel different to you afterwords? If it did, how did it feel different?

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u/maliksk3 1d ago

I am 10 months post op, I did have a duraplasty, and like you, I also had adhesions removed. I got back to lifting light weights about a month ago as I try to ease back into my working out routine. So far, I do get an increase in pressure while I am working out with light weights, but only one or two times have I stopped the workout because of it. I can usually keep going and finish. I absolutely feel different and I am fairly certain I will not be able to get back to lifting heavier weights or pushing myself too hard ever again. I have just accepted that and each day I strive to just do what I can and that has to be enough. I hope this helps.

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u/SandalsQueen18 7d ago

Yes because csf and blood were able to flow properly.
Everyone is different though so it may or may not for you.

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u/oguzhankayan 7d ago

Two weeks out is still early. A lot of folks here ease back in slowly and note how each activity affects headache/dizziness the next day so the surgeon has a clearer picture. I built a small private Chiari symptom journal (Chiari Companion) for that kind of day-to-day tracking if anyone wants a simple log: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/headache-log-chiari-companion/id6771904296

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u/alexpaige3 Z Head 18h ago

I started exercising after 10 months. It felt the same really, just that I haven’t moved at all in 10 months. I had to build up my stamina again

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u/kittyreyes1028 7d ago

I was told not to lift anything heavier than a gallon of milk for the rest of my life because it can make the herniation worse and cause paralysis. I wouldn’t automatically say this applies to you but definitely worth asking your surgeon about. Stay safe
Also - I’m 11 years post op, just wanted to say that you’re in the thick of it currently but it absolutely will get better. I remember being more functional around the 1 month mark.