Author Topic: I can't take it anymore! (Read 13109 times)

danijake · « **on:** December 16, 2007, 09:50:13 pm »

I don't know what to do. This whopper of a headache has lasted for 3 days with NO RELIEF. Sometimes I wish I would've just left it alone. I'm a weenie for pain anyway, but this sucks. I've been taking it one day at a time, but I'm giving up hope that this will ever get better.

I've been missing so much work, I'm afraid I'll get fired. Oh well, right? Why not, I've been steamrolled this whole year and it isn't over yet!

lori67 · « **Reply #1 on:** December 16, 2007, 10:22:53 pm »

Hi Dani. How long ago was your surgery?

I know alot of people have had problems with really bad headaches (fortunately, I'm not one of them - mine are minor) and I know there are lots of meds out there that seem to work on the tough ones. Have you asked your doctor about anything you can try for relief?

I hope it gets better! 2007 was a rough year for me too - I'll be glad to ring out the old and ring in the new.

And I have to laugh at the "Hottie Anaesthesiologist". Every surgery I've ever had had one of those! Why is it the good looking, funny ones are the ones you can't enjoy because you're asleep?? Would it be too much to ask for a hottie eye doctor?

Hang in there!
Lori

Yvette · « **Reply #2 on:** December 16, 2007, 11:46:18 pm »

I swear by the Frozen Helmet my hubby invented for me:-) Dunk a washcloth in water, then put it in the freezer draped over a salad bowl about the same size as your head. When frozen, remove the washcloth from the bowl and wear it! The cold insulated "helmet" is better than the prescription pain meds they gave me!

Yvette

danijake · « **Reply #3 on:** December 17, 2007, 06:55:34 am »

My surgery was 8/13/07. On 8/30 the headaches started. I've been hospitalized 3 times for these because the Drs couldn't figure out why...?

I've had 2 spinal taps

and several CT scans and MRIs. Don't have a clue. My Neuro says if none of the meds he's already prescribed me are working he's gonna have to send me to a Pain Specialist. I'm so tired of going to new Docs. I'm tired of going to Drs period. Yeah the "Hottie Anesthesiologist" was , well I barely remember him. I know I told him he was Hot after he gave me the shot to help my nerves!

danijake · « **Reply #4 on:** December 17, 2007, 08:32:17 am »

Oh yeah, I totally forgot about my frozen gel pack! Thanks Yvette! Ahhhhhh. That's a little better.

Brrrrrrrrrr, but nice.

Patti UT · « **Reply #5 on:** December 17, 2007, 09:15:01 pm »

another thing that helps iare those eye covers that go in the freezer too. wear them over your eyes and lay down when you get a bad one. I am very effected by barometric pressure changes as are many on this forum. Causes the pressure in the head to build up...like a baloon head.

good luck, it's tough having your head hurt all the time, I know.
patti ut

cecile k · « **Reply #6 on:** December 17, 2007, 10:23:35 pm »

Hi Dani:

It's been six years since my AN suboccipital surgery and I was literally plagued with headaches which started about three weeks post op. They were incredible and so I understand your pain! Two things have helped me.... I found out that during surgery I was sitting in a chair with my head forced downwards for six plus hours. That caused quite a rotation in my neck (discs?). I first saw a physiotherapist specialized in dealing with headaches and then went on to see an upper cervical chiropractor - he took x-rays and was shocked. Over time, he has slowly lined everything up again and my headaches are certainly manageable now. I hope that you will find a solution to your pain!

Larry · « **Reply #7 on:** December 18, 2007, 01:58:00 am »

Hi Dani,

Shame you have to endure these rotten headaches. I have had them for 5 years now. I hate them but learn to deal with them most of the time. My empathies to you.

laz

Captain Deb · « **Reply #8 on:** December 18, 2007, 04:30:56 pm »

Dani,
You can order a CD of the Symposium's Headache workshop off of their website--just click on the logo in the upper left corner of the page. Also maybe it's time for you to look into taking some preventative medication like Neurontin or Topamax. The ibuprophen can really wreck your tummy and cause rebound headaches as well. Usually our surgeons aren't much help with the headaches. They aren't headache specialists. There are good headache specialists out there as well as specialty clinics if you're near a large city.

Welcome to the headache club! The world's suckiest club! Please know that you are not alone--we're here for you.

Capt Deb

danijake · « **Reply #9 on:** December 18, 2007, 05:17:00 pm »

Thanks for all of the support! I will order the CD. Now, before I forget

marg · « **Reply #10 on:** December 25, 2007, 11:07:36 pm »

Dani,
Cecile is right on. If you can find a good chiropractor (ask around) it may help. I have had headaches off and on for years (I was in a car accident 34 years ago and had whip lash ) and the chiropractor has helped over the years more than I can say. More headache problems since the AN surgery ( and the added stress) I notice that I have the 3 day ones more often...... but when I go to the chiropractor (and quit thinking they will go away on their own) and I get an adjustment -they go away much faster. If you do go in to a chiroprator - make sure they take x-rays first to see the condition of your neck. I'm so sorry you are going through this.
Margaret

danijake · « **Reply #11 on:** December 29, 2007, 09:07:12 pm »

I'm finally back online. I went to a Chiropractor yesterday. They did x-rays and I have to go back on Wed. He said I'm totally out of alignment for one and I have rotation in my neck. I hope he can help me! Thanks for the tip!!

marg · « **Reply #12 on:** December 29, 2007, 11:05:36 pm »

Dani, I am so glad you went in. When we have these AN surgeries they really crank our necks out of alignment. May you get much better fast

.
Margaret

Patti UT · « **Reply #13 on:** January 24, 2008, 11:14:03 am »

Quote from: danijake on December 29, 2007, 09:07:12 pm

I'm finally back online. I went to a Chiropractor yesterday. They did x-rays and I have to go back on Wed. He said I'm totally out of alignment for one and I have rotation in my neck. I hope he can help me! Thanks for the tip!!

Dani,
I have found huge releif from my Chiropracter and massage. The neck gets so screwed up from the position they have you in during the long surgery, it's no wonder. And this certainly adds to the headaches. I am lucky in that my Chiropracter has massage therapist in his office and they call it PT when they bill the insurance. Hopefully yours does too. I plan to try some accupuncture soon mainly for the tinnitus, mine is SO bad, there is a woman here I have bben told she cured a mans tinnitus, so maybe she can help me with mine ahnd the headaches too.
Good luck to you, and don't give up. Many of the things we have to endure after this surgery are life long, but our bodies and brain learn over time how to tolerate them. But it does take time. When I was about 1 year out I was so frustrated and depressed thinking I would never get better. I can tell you that at about 18 onths out to the 2 year mark, I noticed significant improvements. And now at 3+ years out, I have really adjusted well. So hang in there it does get better.

patti UT

marg · « **Reply #14 on:** January 24, 2008, 07:53:37 pm »

Hey Patti.... please let me know if your get rid of the tinnitus when you have accupuncture..... boy I would love to get rid of mine.... I could almost forget I am SSD if I didn't have all this noise in my deaf ear

marg

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