ANA Discussion Forum
Post-Treatment => Headaches => Topic started by: danijake on December 16, 2007, 09:50:13 pm
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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! :'(
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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
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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
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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! :-*
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Oh yeah, I totally forgot about my frozen gel pack! Thanks Yvette! Ahhhhhh. That's a little better. 8) Brrrrrrrrrr, but nice.
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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
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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!
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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
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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(http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee60/Captdeb_photos/pirate2.gif)
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Thanks for all of the support! I will order the CD. Now, before I forget ::)
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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
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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!!
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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 ;D .
Margaret
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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
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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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My x-rays showed Phase 1 degeneration in my lower back and phase 2 in my neck. There is reverse curve in my neck and the x-ray looks almost like a giraffe! My spine is curving back and forth. The Chiropractor said it was caused by a lifetime of abuse...jumping fences, falling off my bike and stuff like that. But having my neck positioned for the surgery was what triggered the neck pain to be so bad that I finally went.
I have crappy insurance. They don't pay for Chiropractic. And it's Blue Cross Blue Shield!!! But from Wal-mart and cheap. It's $208.00/month!!!
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Dani,
I totally understand. My neck has some reverse curve from a car accident I was in 30 years ago but the chiropractics helps a lot. Sorry your insurance doesn't cover it . Some chiropractors sell a 'package deal' if you pay cash and they don't have to mess with an insurance company. It might be worth asking. or if you need to find a different chiropractor who will work with you...take your x-rays with you. They BELONG TO YOU ... you paid for them (or your insurance company did) so they do not have to stay with this chiropractor. I hope you get some help with this.
margaret
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Dani~
Hello!
I wanted to chime in on what Patti UT said about things getting better as time goes on. I am extremely blessed that I do not have headaches. In fact, I had severe ones before and now don't have any. I thought, until I recently started reading this site, that AN surgery cured the headaches for all -- BOY, was I wrong!! All that said, people tell me frequently how great I am doing for all that I went through and how they don't even think of me as someone who had a brain tumor or stroke -- heaven forbid that I am disabled in any way!! My common response is that I would say that I certainly did not reach the point where I am today for a good 3-5 years (now I do think it probably would've have helped if I wouldn't have gotten pregnant 1 year after surgery/stroke!! :o)!!!!!!!!). I can't help w/ the headaches, but I can give you hope that it all comes together better as time goes on. I am 12 YEARS out now!! (I can't even believe that -- & I not even 40 yet!)
Have a good weekend!
K
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Dani,
I am so sorry about your headaches. I had translab surgery in January of 2007 and am just now (after one year) having more relief time than headache time. I tried several OTC and prescribed meds but nothing touched these pressure headaches which were like nothing I'd ever experienced before. Finally in April, I visited my trusted physical therapist hoping she might realign my neck or help my back muscles relax. When I described the pain, she said "Oh, I know exactly what you are talking about and have a full toolbox to help you!"
Long story short, the technique she swears by is Integrative Manual Therapy (www.centerimt.com). I also went for four days after Thanksgiving to one of their clinics in Elmhurst, IL and after that, I got real relief.
I recommend finding a physical therapist trained in this (not anyone else) or visiting one of their centers. This is covered by my insurance. The primary person who developed this type of treatment is Sharon Giamatteo. They have clinics all over the country.
Good luck to you. I remember those many days when I felt so lost and hopeless. Just know that it will improveif you keep moving ahead with finding what works for you.
The reason I am happy with my choice is that it worked without having to take strong meds, which is where I was headed until I found IMT.
Take care,
Susan
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I'm glad to hear that you still have your job and your insurance. I have been wondering how you are doing. I hope you are doing well. Kisses :-* 16
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Hey Dani~
How has everything been since your BAHA?? Are you back at work? How about the headaches?
K
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Dani,
I've been thinking about you a lot... Hope your BAHA went well and your are feeling better already. Glad you didn't lose your job.
marg
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I still have the headaches and a little dizzy, but okay. Going back to work Tuesday with a note from the Dr to let me have a barstool to sit on while I work. (I work at Wal-mart/cashier)
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Danijake- I know. I know. I really know.
The constant headache is debilitating. The stress of carrying it every single minute just wears me down. It gets worse throughout the day- by the time I get home, I just want dinner and bed. I am so not a fun person anymore. I am on the verge of tears all the time. I have no sense of humor and feel depressed by the lack of joy in my life. I am tired and listless and KNOW I need to get up and do something physical to help relieve some of the stress and to feel better, but have no energy -am overwhelmed by the weight of it all. I actually am sitting here in my work out clothes with the ellipical in my gym screaming at me to get on and get going... maybe later...
OK, for you friends out there who are thinking "Get thee to a doctor..." Have. Am carrying narcotics for the bad days and just putting up with the not-so-bad ones.
The message I keep repeating is "This too shall pass." Of course, my constant mantra is "DIE TUMOR DIE!!" Can't happen quickly enough for me.
So, to all you with this constant headache thing - just talk to your docs and hang in there... knowing there are others going through the same thing is not comforting but helps validate the symptoms and process of recovery.
Terry
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Dani,
I'm so sorry about your job. It is very difficult to go to work every day with the noise, stress, and pressure trying to understand what my kids and adults around me are saying ( I teach 2nd grade)..... but at least I don't have a constant headache. I usually get one off and on during the day - but tylenol (and coffee) will take care of it. I hope you can relax and recouperate from the trama of all you have been through and the headaches will ease up soon ! It's wearing enough to deal with the SSD, balance problems, and tinnitus all the time - I would go over the edge with a constant headache too.
You're in my prayers,
Margaret
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Dani,
I am so sorry. I wish I could say or do something to help. Your health insurance is good for a month after you quit, right? I would go to the doctor and ask about something to help you. You sound pretty depressed. I know, that's a no brainer. A lot of drug companies will give you their drugs, if you can't afford them. You need one that addresses your pain as well as how you feel. There is help. I'm keeping you and your family in my prayers.
Hugs,
Brenda
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Dani -
I agree wholeheartedly with Brendalu. We are here to help you in any way we can, but I think you need to seek professional help for your pain as well as your depression. Have you considered seeing a therapist? I've seen therapists at different points in my life to help me get through tough times - infertility, divorce, etc. There is no shame in asking for the help you need. You owe it to yourself and your son to find a way to improve your situation.
I'm worried about you.
Jan
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Dani,
I forgot to add that I saw professionals and therapists for my treatment. I wasn't self diagnosed or self medicated! You are in my prayers as well as your son.
Hugs,
Brenda
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Oh I am so sorry about the headaches - I am pre-treatment and I suffer daily heachaches and the last 'wopper' lasted well over a week - I am hoping that once I do have surgery I will be one of the few who does not get them anymore - - 'wishful thinking'.....
((((HUGS))))