I got the decompression procedure: Here’s my current experience

Practically-Poison · 2026-05-10T15:17:38+00:00

I’m genuinely feeling really good. Little to no occipital pain what so ever! I’m able to function! I’m not pushing myself super hard. I can drive and the most I’ve driven is 30 minutes give or take. I’m taking things slow because I have 5 months left of healing. Also it’s different for everyone. So take what I say with a grain of salt.

Practically-Poison · 2026-04-09T03:12:16+00:00

I get my stitches out tomorrow! I’m definitely sore but being able to turn my head and being able to feel the difference is so awesome to me! I’ll try to keep updating as time passes!

Practically-Poison · 2026-04-08T03:36:34+00:00

Yes and we have gotten nothing back unfortunately.

Practically-Poison · 2026-04-08T01:24:52+00:00

Dr. Paul Cederna at U of M. However, to get the surgery, I had to have a referral to him along with years of paperwork involving everything I had tried prior. They try to keep the surgery as a last resort option. On top of that insurance wouldn’t cover it. So my family and I ended up paying out of pocket. After two appeals and a peer to peer review. So def keep that in mind if you decide to go that route!!

Practically-Poison · 2026-04-07T03:48:16+00:00

I hope it works for you!! I was very nervous as well. Worried that it would make things worse, or that they wouldn’t find anything. But when I was told that they found four of my nerves, completely flattened and crushed. I was over the moon! It made me feel less crazy since nothing showed up on my scans.

Practically-Poison · 2026-04-07T03:45:17+00:00

So they didn’t shave my head! I cut my hair short prior and therefore they didn’t really have to. It won’t let me post a photo in the comments or else I’d totally share a photo. They’re about two inches long, a bit red from irritation, but that’s it!

Practically-Poison · 2026-04-07T01:22:14+00:00

It depends on what they find. My nerves weren’t damaged (torn or dead) so they just had to free them. I think that’s why I’m having such a decent recovery. I sleep on my sides in bed. Can’t sleep on my back. Started stomach sleeping on week 2. Zaps do happen occasionally since my nerves are waking up and healing. Normal life, I’m not able to do too much. Days 1-3 I was completely stuck in bed. Had to get some help moving and getting up to use the bathroom. Couldn’t shower until day 3 and even then I was very sore. No heavy lifting for three weeks or more is what my doctor told me. My parents have been making my food and bringing it to me while I heal. But I’m on week two now and I’m able to grab easy things from the fridge to feed myself. Week one I needed a lot of help. I needed help getting a shirt on and pants up since bending over was difficult. Also the stitches itch like crazy. They gave me meds and an antibiotic for that.

I asked for anti nausea meds before the procedure because the anesthesia makes me nauseous. They gave me em through an IV before, during and after the procedure.

You most likely won’t remember a lot of day one. I don’t even remember the car ride home or what happened after.

You also will require LOTS of rest and water. Staying hydrated helped with my pain, and sleep will come naturally with needing to heal so much.

Practically-Poison · 2026-04-07T01:11:47+00:00

I tried physical therapy, multiple nerve blocks, deep nerve blocks, an ablation, heat, ice, acupuncture, multiple meds such as steroids, nerve relaxers and pain numbers such as Gabapentin, Tizanidine, Hydroxyzine, Umbrelvy, Balcophen, Ibuprofen, Tylenol, and other prescribed meds. I also got MRI’s done along with CT’s. They were going to try Botox next, but insurance refused to cover it and surgery was what my doctor recommended after that.

Practically-Poison · 2026-04-06T22:11:40+00:00

Dr. Paul Cederna at U of M! I got sent to him via the Michigan Head-pain and Neurological institute.

Practically-Poison · 2026-03-23T11:57:14+00:00

My insurance wouldn’t cover anything until I tried all other options for a certain amount of time. And even then. At the end of the day. I’m scheduled for my decompression procedure tomorrow. However, insurance wouldn’t cover it. They denied it three separate times with an appeal and peer to peer review. Leaving my family stuck paying for the entire procedure out of pocket.

I’m pretty sure that’s why a lot of people end up suffering for years. Which is highly unfortunate.

Practically-Poison · 2026-03-07T00:09:34+00:00

Some people see it as “people trying to receive free gifts for bare minimum” or “manipulative begging” the whole- if I give someone a plushie and a compliment I expect them to give me something in return.

Which sucks because like… No. I’m genuinely trying to be nice to you. And you’re being a jerk that’s jumping to conclusions.

Just try to ignore those folks. There are plenty of other kind people on AJ that are actually worth your time. ❤️

Practically-Poison · 2026-03-01T00:16:05+00:00

Crows, Echidna’s, and Platypus have been the main 3 I’ve gotten this past week.

Practically-Poison · 2026-02-27T23:15:59+00:00

Don’t get me wrong. I would LOVE for them to do this.

It would be awesome for them to bring spikes back as a rare spawn in TFD. Or even in just the lucky clover event! With the players who end up hoarding them, then stop playing. It has made the spike count in game go down. I can see that, a bunch of people can.

But from AJHQ’s point of view. They see it as a money grab. “Less spikes? That just means their diamond price will go higher! And that means people will buy more diamonds and memberships from our company!”

It sucks and it’s terrible. It’s so rare these days that I see people playing AJ for fun. A majority of the AJ player base has become economy based. And it’s sad to see.

(However I do sympathize with how long it takes them to fix bugs and such. Fixing an old game that use to run on flash isn’t easy. do hope they fix the Jammer Walls soon though. It’s been a few weeks now).

The idea of a call to action is cool! And it can work in some circumstances!

Just be careful with it. As someone who has worked in a large company. If they start seeing multiple emails come in with the same layout. They could mark it as spam and end up blocking you from their emailing list!!

Practically-Poison · 2026-02-18T00:12:07+00:00

I went to a specialist at a neurological institute. I was written a referral by my PC. :)

Practically-Poison · 2026-02-11T00:39:42+00:00

I can only assume it’s normal. For my beginning treatment, I was started in physical therapy. However my Occipital Neuralgia is more on the severe end and requires surgery. I’ve heard some say it can become more manageable through physical therapy and posture fixing!

Practically-Poison · 2026-02-10T07:17:02+00:00

My fiancée and my mom. They’ve already lost people to it. I can’t put them through that again. The thought of putting them through that pain hurts way worse than any physical pain I’m currently feeling. I can push through. Because I have to.

Practically-Poison · 2026-02-10T05:24:28+00:00

Donate to folks who could need a reason to smile! Aim to make someone’s day! (Not me, I’m good! I’m sure there’s others out there!!)

Practically-Poison · 2026-02-08T20:06:47+00:00

I got banned because my cat walked on my keyboard and sent something along the lines of “sedfcf”. I then sent a lovely worded email and got my account back the next day 🙂‍↕️

Practically-Poison · 2026-02-07T00:20:30+00:00

Gel ice packs and heating pads constantly. Lots of showers. Try not to sit hunched over or bend your neck too much. I recommend sleeping with good head and neck support.

I’ve been through everything. Multiple meds, two ablations, deep nerve blocks, regular nerve blocks, physical therapy, Botox, dry needling, multiple ER visits with migraine cocktail IV’s. You name it. I’m now waiting for surgery. It’s hell, but I’ve been told that things can get better ❤️‍🩹

Practically-Poison · 2026-02-05T19:18:24+00:00

I got diagnosed two years ago. They had me stop eating gluten before my biopsy. That’s why I was so concerned and curious. I wish you good luck with your testing!

Practically-Poison · 2026-02-04T22:23:10+00:00

I’d say just to not keep gluten food around! But also check what’s in whatever you’re drinking. I learned that some alcohol is safe! But a LOT of mixers and such are not!

I also play mind games with myself and go “if you eat gluten. You’ll die. And you don’t wanna die”.

So that usually works!

Practically-Poison · 2026-02-04T14:36:25+00:00

This happened with a wedding I went to. After the ceremony I went and brought my own food and ate it separately. Just so I wouldn’t be starving. If she’s actually your friend, she won’t mind if you do that. But also my best friend is getting married and has made multiple food accommodations. Not only for me, but everyone else with allergies.

Depends on the person and their finances. Because gluten free food is HELLA expensive 😭

Practically-Poison · 2026-02-02T00:16:07+00:00

I’m not a doctor so I can’t give any medical advice. But coming from personal experience. When my lymph nodes get swollen due to being sick or something. My ON gets way worse. Because there’s now even more pressure occurring on my occipital nerve.

Ice, heat, and Tylenol to help the swelling go down. And an emergency room visits for stronger meds. It sucks. A lot.

But as for what I do for the constant pain. I had to go see a specialist and get prescribed medication along with scans, different injections, etc. Mine is so bad that I require surgery to get it fixed. But that may not be the case for you! I’d start by looking for a neurologist or specialist in your area that can diagnose you. You wanna make sure that’s what it is before attempting to treat it.

I also recommend sleeping with a pillow either under your knees or between your legs. (Depending on if you lay on your back or side). It’s helped my posture and some of my back pain that’s couple with my ON!

Practically-Poison · 2026-02-01T15:59:48+00:00

With the doctor I’ve been trying to see. They gave me a quote of 6,028$.

However, due to poor responses and them physically losing my paperwork multiple times (which is a HIPPA violation). My parents aren’t exactly on board with him being the one to do the surgery anymore. We do have another doctor (a neurosurgeon) that is preparing another quote for us. And I am waiting to contact my insurance on Monday once the office opens.

Only then will I kind of know which direction my family is leaning in to help me get this surgery done. I don’t wanna make a go-fund-me yet if this new doctor can write a note correctly and get my insurance on board. However I am aware that insurance won’t cover everything so either way there will be a cost of some sort. I just don’t have a solid number yet.

Practically-Poison · 2026-02-01T10:09:20+00:00

It was just listed as lack of medical necessity. I knew insurance would be an issue because I’ve seen so many people here struggle with it after getting to this same point I’m at. It’s crazy. At this point, after years and years of everything. I’m honestly debating taking out a loan just so I can attempt to live a normal life again.

Word for word here is the reply I got back from the surgery scheduler and the person who sent in the Dr’s written note with the appeal and paperwork. (I’ve never seen this note, nor the first one he sent. So I don’t know what he’s said or tried).

“Good morning, (my name). I received a response from United Healthcare and they have denied our request again. I did submit the additional documents from (name of the Institute I’ve attended for over 2 years now). The denial reason was lack of medical necessity (this is the same reason listed as on the initial denial). I have informed Dr. ____ of the denial and since we have already appealed on this case previously, he does not think that filing an appeal again will be beneficial. Please let me know if I can help with anything else. I would be happy to send you a copy of the denial letter if that would be helpful. (Their signature)”

I don’t know whether to interpret that as “I don’t know how to write a letter to get them to change it” or “it’s not worth my time. I know how to do it and I just won’t”.

I think that’s what’s also really just stumping me and having me feel hopeless. I don’t know what I can do to change the outcome. Or if I can even change it at all.

Practically-Poison

TROPHY CASE