Here are a few things in reply to some of your questions.
Staypoz, I had migrane type headaches on the left side prior to my right AN surgery. The headaches prior to my surgery were usually behind the left eye. They responded fairly well to Maxalt which works on the vascular system. Knowing what I know now, I think these were being triggered by the left occipital nerve being too close to a blood vessel and not the AN. This causes that behind the eye pain, even though the nerve runs outside the skull, coming from the spinal cord. Maybe it was the head frame used in securing the head in surgery that caused the vessel to pierce the nerve on the left side. Maybe it was just the result of having surgery that caused a minute change, putting an already too close nerve and vessel together. I was never looking for blame, only relief.
I don't think the congenital defect on the right side was causing my problems. The incisional pain on the right was mostly if I touched it. It always felt mildly inflammed in the general area. I didn't focus on it to much because the pain on the opposite side was such a problem. This was from the lesser occipital nerve in the scar tissue and smaller nerve over the plate.
The occipital nerves are bilateral, as well as the lessor occipital nerves. Maybe I was lucky to have the pain on the opposite side so it could be sorted out from the AN easier.
Occipital blocks, done in a pain clinic, can show where the pain is coming from.
Deb, I know how difficult it is to be on medication. I couldn't take the Neurontin or Trileptal. Couldn't do simple math in my head or remember details. I found myself sitting and staring. Have you had a nerve block to pin point the source? In my area, the headache neurologist had to send me to the pain clinic department for a block. I know you had a mid fossa approach. Maybe a different nerve is causing this but the occipital nerve runs like a rams horn so maybe it could.
Even before I saw Dr Ducic, I had methodically started to rule causes out. I asked for a neck MRI and nerve block. I was never offered one but when I asked no one refused me.
Yardstick,
It is bad enough having headaches, let alone trying to convince others how bad you feel daily! I pray that you will get some resolution soon with your head and your job.
I hope I didn't leave anyone's questions out. Thanks for all your comments and well wishes!
PS. I no longer need to sleep with my head elevated! I've been sleeping with one pillow.
Janet
