Attention Pre-ops!!! How to prevent headaches!!!

[Captain Deb]

Please talk to your doc about head positioning during your surgery, especially if you have occipital headaches or a bad neck.  Talk him into positioning your head FIRST, before you are put under.  I firmly believe that the hyperextension of my neck during my surgery is a leading contributor to my 7 year long headache nightmare. At the Symposium, Dr Ryzenman spoke on his new protocal at one of the headache workshops.  He makes sure the patient is in a comfortable position before he anesthetizes them.

Please do this!!!  You do NOT want to go through what I have gone through for the past 7 years!!!

Capt Deb

[epc1970]

I agree 100% with Capt Deb especially if you are having retrosimiod. This approach is the one that puts your neck in the most exaggerated potentially out of normal range postioning. I have  headaches and neck issues still  at 1 1/2 years post op that my dr attributes to this positioning during surgery. While I have figured out how to manage my neck pain and headaches it sure would have been nice not to have to learn to manage them!
Erin

[cin605]

I agree also....I am 1/12 yrs post op n still have neck pain n headache.I had such a bump for like 2 months where my head was so tight in the vice.

[Jim Scott]

Thanks for that excellent advice, Deb.

Although I underwent retrosigmoid approach AN surgery, my neurosurgeon - who had decades of experience with AN removals - must have known to position my head correctly prior to the surgery (I recall it being somewhat elevated) and I haven't experienced the headaches that plague you other AN surgery patients.  Still, your caution to potential surgery patients have their head comfortably supported prior to the anesthesia being administrated is a very worthy tip for AN pre-op patients.  You've done many people a huge favor by posting this warning.  Thanks again.

Jim

[CHD63]

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm .....

I'm wondering if this is why I had terrible headaches following my retrosigmoid surgery in 1994 and absolutely no headaches following my retrosigmoid surgery in 2008 ..... (different neurosurgeons in different states and I am quite sure in different surgical positions)

Clarice

[DR]

Excellent info Deb.  You would think something as basic as ensuring patient comfort would be a given!  Maybe because the patient is heavily sedated there was less (or no) concern during surgery.

[LisaP]

Captain Deb,

Do you think that the sword going through your head has something to do with it?  

Thanks for the great advise as I continue to W&W.

LisaP

[Sobes]

Hi Captain Deb,

Thank you so much for this advice...I've been "collecting" info and questions for my surgeon and this is one I didn't have and NEVER would have thought to ask! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

Bren~

[Captain Deb]

Captain Deb,

Do you think that the sword going through your head has something to do with it?  

Thanks for the great advise as I continue to W&W.

LisaP

Sword? What sword? There's a sword?

Capt Deb

[EJTampa]

My surgeon, Dr. Bartels, told me that he believed the positioning of the neck was very important in minimizing the risk for post operative headaches.  He was telling me about how when he was in training (years and years ago), he was surprised at how far the neck was "cranked" in order to perform retrosig.  That said, I still get some headaches, but they are not at all debilitating and easily controlled with OTC's.
 
Thanks for sharing this important information, Capt Deb!
 
Ernie

[Nickittynic]

Oh geeze I never would have thought of that! One thing I do know, is my right hip *still* hurts 2 months after my 10 hour retrosig.

[Captain Deb]

For me, the pain in my neck was waaaay worse than the incision pain.   I talked to Dr Friedman about it and he said I may have some soft tissue damage from the "splint." I had my first of many major migraines 2 weeks post-op. What I have is some major nerve damage.  I hope all prospective surgical patients read this and pass it on to their docs and fellow patients. I have been doing lots and lots of reading on occipital neuralgia and how symptoms can arise from injuries like whiplash.

Capt Deb

[epc1970]

Deb
I'm sure that you have had this done but...the Dr that I go to for my neck and headache issues is sending me for am MRI of my cervical spine because he feels in my case there is probably some damage there. Not that I'm thriiled about going in the MRI again but I'm hoping it will pinpoint exactly what the heck is going on! Like you, my neck pain has always been way worse than the incision pain. I actually got the idea for the MRI from one of the cd's from the conference. I gave it to my Dr, who after listening to the cd, concurred that this could very well be the source of my issues and ordered the MRI right away.
Erin

[Captain Deb]

I have had a cervical spine MRI and they found some disc degeneration.  I believe I have some scar tissue left from muscle tearing pressing on my occipital nerves--but don't know if that shows up on an MRI.  An X-ray of your neck, if you are having neck pain before your surgery, might not be a bad idea.  Dang! I wish I'd thought of that before my surgery.  I've had a wonky neck for years.

Capt Deb

[leapyrtwins]

At the Symposium, Dr Ryzenman spoke on his new protocal at one of the headache workshops.  He makes sure the patient is in a comfortable position before he anesthetizes them.

Wonder how new this protocol is for Dr. Ryzenman - and if he learned it while at the Ear Institute of Chicago where he used to practice.  My neurotologist is from Chicago Ear and I haven't experienced any headaches post op.

Jan