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

[SML]

I’ve had headaches all my life, usually 3 to 4 times a week. Now it has been 8 months since my Retrosigmoid surgery, and I have had headaches and neck pain every day! I never thought to question head position with the doctor and it certainly makes sense that the way you are positioned would contribute to headaches and neck issues. I was controlling the headaches with Ibuprofen, but have recently gone to see a specialist to see if there was a way of controlling them without taking so many OTC pills. I am currently taking Gabapentin. I’ve only been on it for two weeks so it’s still too early to tell if it will help me. Fingers crossed!

As a side note: I still have hip pain when I lay on my side for too long too.

Scarlett

[EJTampa]

Scarlett,
 
I'm considering nerve blocks, but because mine is so easily controlled with otc meds, I have been a bit lazy about pursuing it.  You may want to ask your physician if this could work for you.
 
Ernie

[Captain Deb]

Nerve blocks are great if you have occipital nerve damage--I've had 5-6 of them but the NB doc says I'm done.  Too much steroid can cause even more damage.  This topic should be in the headache thread but I wanted to give pre-ops the warning!

Capt Deb

[gingerbread6]

Thanks for the head's up Capt Deb,

I emailed my doctor to ask him his opinon on this. I am scheduled for retrosigmoid on December 28th. I do hope they take all precautions to help the headaches from happening.

Gingerbread6

[Captain Deb]

Here's an article I googled up on precautionary surgical methods used in retrosigmoid surgery--it is long and has lots of medspeak but worthwhile reading if you are considering surgery.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1151675/

Capt Deb

[Captain Deb]

I'm going o keep bumping this up to the top just to make sure all you pre-ops read it and discuss head position with your docs!

Capt Deb

[mssophy]

Thanks for the info!

I was recently diagnosed and am undecided on treatment.

I have been experiencing headaches daily and mentioned it to the doctor who gave me Ibuprofen 800mg to take 3 times a day for one month! He did however order neck xrays and said all looked good. I have a concern about post op headaches given that I have them already!

I will discuss this info with the doctor next time we meet.

Arrrggghhh!

[yardtick]

You are the best Capt Deb.  I saw a pain specialist the other day and he injected the occipital nerve with anesthetic.  I had some relief so it is another injection on Wed with an anesthetic and cortisone.  He feels my trigeminal nerve is a major problem also.  I've weaned myself off the gabapentin, I needed to clear the fog if you know what I mean.   The Dr is talking about putting me on lyrica, he said I would take less medication and it is more effective.  I'm thinking about it when my head doesn't hurt too much.   

Thank you for all of the articles.

Anne Marie

[cecile k]

Interesting post. I also suffered debilitating headaches after sub occipital surgery. When I first saw a physiotherapist who specialized in headache treatment, she put me in a neck brace (the kind one wears after neck injury in a auto accident). I couldn't believe the difference this made for me but, of course, I couldn't stay in this for life. I was weaned off this thing slowly after wearing it for about six weeks or so. My headaches were much better after her treatments and after wearing this support. Perhaps it just gave my neck some time to heal with this support?

Cecile

[Lynn Mc]

After reading this post I decided to get my neck in the best possible shape I can before surgery.  My neck on a good day has a tendency to be rather stiff and sore.  I made an appointment with a gal that does acupuncture & massage therapy.  Hope it makes a difference for me.  I am also taking this info with me when I meet with my Doc for pre-opp.
Thanks so much for all the valuable info.

Lynn

Life Is Good

[Captain Deb]

Bump up for newbies! (is that forumspeak or what!!!)

Capt Deb

[kma]

I am floored reading Captain Deb's post and all your replies.  I had my surgery (retrosigmoid) in Feb '09 and had my first killer headache/neckache while still in the hospital.  I have had headaches, neckaches and major cramps in my neck/shoulder ever since my surgery.  My doctor told me I was just stressed out and I should relax ~ It's really annoying getting the pity look from your doctor when he just thinks your a whiner!!  Once again, you've made me see that I'm not crazy and am not alone.  xo ~Kathy   

[heyct]

Wow! Thanks for posting this thread. I always had PMS headaches, but just now realize that since my surgery my neck is constantly stiff. I can tell if I'm going to get a headache from the tightening in my neck. Will have to look into this more.

[Lynn Mc]

Captain Deb,

Because of your post I had acupuncture & some work done on my neck prior to surgery.  I also spoke to the Dr. about it.  I really want to thank you as I have had NO headaches & my neck is better than it has ever been.  I have had acupuncture since surgery & she has also worked on my neck.  I was not a big believer in anything that wasn't black & white but I am becoming a believer in the gray, acupuncture, alternative treatments.

Thanks Again,
Lynn

[Chitownpete]

If your surgeon is going to change the way he does your surgery because of something you saw on the internet its time to find a new surgeon quick. Find a (or 2-3) surgeon(s) who has lots of experience both current and previous and ask him what he likes to do. Do not try to tell your surgeon what to do, either let him do his job or dump him and find a surgeon you like. If you are not an M.D. you are not qualified to tell a Doctor what to do. I can only imagine the frustration good, experienced doctors suffer whenever somebody "discovers" something and tries to tell the pros what to do.  To each his own and I certainly have some minor pain and suffering but I am glad I spoke to every Dr. as a patient not as an expert. Good luck to all and if anyone near the northwest edge of Chicago ever needs help please let me know. I have survived so far so I owe help to anyone
who needs it.