I just had an STA-MCA bypass on February 23rd in Boston performed by Dr. Day. For the most part I have been doing very well and recovering faster than I anticipated. The sensation in my left hand had even started coming back.   I travelled to Boston on Monday to have my sutures and staples removed then on Tuesday since I was feeling great and the weather was BEAUTIFUL, I decided to venture out to run some errands and do some shopping.

Since Tuesday evening, I've felt really tired. I've been sleeping my days away and last night I started experiencing weakness and minor loss of sensation on my left side from my elbow down to my hand and whole leg and foot.  Should I be alarmed and call the Doctor  or is this a normal part of the recovery process? Do you think I overdid it on Monday and Tuesday?

It sounds like you definitely overdid it. After any invasive procedure I've had I always overdue my first outing, trying to get back to normal, when I'm really not back to normal. If symptoms continue or worsen I suggest seeing your doc, but when it happens to me I just make sure to rest lots and eat regularly.

If that happened to me, I would definitely call my doctor and let him determine if it needed further investigtion. In the meantime, be sure to get plenty of rest and drink the recommended 2-3 liters of water every day. Seems the lack of water can cause symtoms. After my surgeries, I took a nap whenever I felt tired; sometimes several a day during the first couple of months. You'll be back in the saddle soon enough; take advantage of these next few months to pamper yourself a bit.
Kim

Thank you both. I spoke to the neurosurgery resident on duty around 3:00 PM and she suggested that I go to my local ER. Kim, she did mention that perhaps I am not getting enough water. I've been drinking about 3 bottles a day in addition to Gatorade which helps me keep my sodium up, but I guess it's not enough. They ran some tests (MRI, MRA and CTA) at the ER and decided to keep me overnight until they can speak with Dr. Day tomorrow to see how he would like to proceed.  I will definitely take both of your advice and take it easy from now on.  Thank you so much.

snowenadia,
It does sound like you over did it. Rest an water does the trick for me. You are also just exploring your new bounderys of how well you can handel activitys. You will be able to do more and more as time goes on.

It took me about a year post surgery to feel 100%. I get extreemly craby when I am tiered so my husband knows when it is enough and I need to rest.

Things will get better. Stay strong.
Becky

Thanks Becky,

It turns out that the diuretic I'm on to control my blood pressure was the culprit because it flushes water out. I plan on taking it easy from now on. Another year of slowing down scares me as I like to stay busy and I was always on the go before I had the TIAs, but my health is the priority so I will do whatever it takes. I was talking to the hospital chaplain yesterday and the tears just started flowing because she got me to think about everything I've been going thru.  I've just been going thru the motions up to this point and I haven't really reflected on what this all means and the permanent changes I will have to make. Finding this board was definitely a Godsend.

Nadia... so glad to hear you are okay!! Thank you so much for all your help with Dr. Day, my family appreciates it so much, my Dad saw him last week, and was very pleased with the visit, and liked Dr. Day very much... unfortunately though that was his last day practicing at the Brigham as he will be moving out of state... but he did agree with Dr. Steinberg's opinion, and Dad does indeed have moyamoya... but we are very confident now that surgery is the right decision. Dr. Day did a wonderful job explaining everything to my parents! We would have liked for Dad to have his surgery here in Boston, but alas.. that is not in the cards. We know he will be in good hands with Dr. Steinberg, so off to Stanford we go! Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers, and I'm so glad you are okay!! Keep us posted :)

J

Hi J!

I'm so sorry to hear that you have to go all the way to California, but I heard that Dr. Steinberg is great so your father will be in good hands. I knew he'd love Dr. Day. He is still following my case even though he's moved on so I'm lucky I was able to get in before he left (he had my new scans sent to him via Fedex and has been communicating with my local doctors). There's no way I'd be able to go all the way to California because my family would never go with me. They didn't even want to come the 3 hours to Boston. I'm praying that this will be my only surgery. My docs are confident that it will be because unilateral MMD doesn't usually progress as much as bilateral MMD. I hope they're right.  I wish your father luck and I will be praying for him. Let me know if you have any other questions.

-Nadia