This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Knowledge & Support Community

I checked into Stanford on Monday at 7am for magnetic resonance imaging of the upper body which took place for about an hour. I then discussed the results with Professor Dake in the afternoon. The scans showed up some pretty severe narrowings of both jugular veins for quite extensive lengths.

Yesterday I had a 4 cm stent placed into the right jugular at C1 to 2 and a 2cm and a 4cm stent placed into the left jugular at C1 to 2. This is just by the jaw level.

I am in a good deal of neck and shoulder pain and have been taking lots of percocet painkillers which are proper painkillers a la morphine with attendant spaciness. All for now.

Wow, you went all the way from London?!!
Hope you feel better soon...and can write us more about it

Wow Gibbles, can't wait to hear more about it later. The neck pain reduces over time. Stay on the percocet and rest! Great to hear from you. Are you resting in a nice hotel I hope?

Good to hear from you gibbs...wish you a speedy sore neck recovery. You make 5 for 5 with venous insufficiency

I hate to be repetitive, but WOW! I hope you start feeling better soon.

Yeah sorry but I am going with the Wow too!! What great news and I really hope you start healing quickly. Can't wait to hear your progress. One more to add...gosh this is really adding up.

Hang in there, Alex....
It's a tough recovery, but you are well on the way to healing. I'm surprised (but not surprised) to hear of your double jugular issue, and the extent of your blockage. Rest up, take the meds, and get ready for your new blood flow.
all the best,
cheer

Hey Alex,
I hope for you to have a speedy recovery (and not just from the surgery)

L x

Best wishes for a speedy recovery Alex. All the way from London - amazing. This thing definitely has some legs. I guess the batting average is still 1000. How many does this make so far?

Thank you all for your messages and yes, I travelled all the way from London after failing to find much enthusiasm there for even scanning the veins. Stanford is fantastic as is Professor Dake and everyone at ThisisMs! Oh and Percocet is just the best painkiller in the world!!! I'm about to travel to a nice hotel in the winelands somewhere so hopefully there will be internet there where I can make better notes on experience.

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Awesome news Alex! The winelands -- What a beautiful place to recover -
Glad the Percocet is working for you - don't be a hero ---take it. Like Marie said the neck pain lasts for about five days. I had alot of pain when swallowing which also lasted for about five days. If you have one of those travel neck pillows, try using it when sitting up - it will kind of support your neck. I also had a major problem with muscle spasms in the neck - finally decided to have my GP get me a muscle relaxant about 10 days out from the surgery. The relaxant has helped enormously -- I just wish I would have started sooner.

Get some rest!!

Sharon

Awesome Gibbs !!! Your healing as we speak. I am right behind you and will be up to Bat on Monday. I will keep the batting average a 1000. Enjoy the Napa valley wine country. Lots of great memories there. I will be leaving tomorrow morning and will have my lap top with me to track your recovery and post my journey Cheers, Mark

Nothing more beautiful than Sonoma/Marin County....hope you have a nice quiet room with fluffy pillows and a view of the rolling hills and golden sunsets, Alex. Who would have thought....when we were discussing veins and supplements all those months ago...that the journey would lead here?? Life is truly unpredictable- a continual adventure. Sending you healing thoughts. (A wonderful recent film about the California wine country is "Bottle Shock"...our friend wrote the music. The music, scenery and story are terrific.)

Traveling mercies, Mark....glad you'll have your laptop to check in with us. Wow...this is real. Still can't quite believe it.
cheer

Believe It !!! It is your dream coming true. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I can see the dance floor and glasses raised to toast our victories. Peace, Mark