tenderness where skull was taken out

[phx]

Hi,

Anyone have this?  I usually take Ibuprofen and it helps a little. I notice that sometimes the spot is very sore and feels kind of tight, but then there are also times when it's just mushy and there's no pain. I'm not sure if this is swelling, or if it's something I don't need to worry too much about. I feel like I'm always protecting my head because of that spot. Thanks.

Phx

[Lizard]

Yes I also have tenderness in that spot and when I press it feels mushy, but I also feel a pulling feeling that comes from above and I think that's from the mesh titanium plate in there.  Strange sensation and can trigger a headache.
Did you have a fat graft or plate?
Liz

[phx]

Nope, nothing put in, at least not that I know of. Maybe they put in a thin layer of something (not sure what it's called). Yeap, it triggers headaches and neckaches for me. With the cold coming now too and blowing my nose a lot, it hurts even more!

[Lizard]

Phx,
That makes sense, and it might be caused by your dural layer (where are the nerves are housed) rubbing on your tissues, it can also connect to the tissue and muscle and cause pain.  Did you have retrosigmoid?  because my occipital nerves were also involved in that rubbing and still are, but nerve blocks have numbed them and greatly reduced the pain. 

My Dr puts in a mesh plate where the bone was removed, and does this because there were a lot of headaches and head pain cases reported when he first started and only put in bone paste or whatever it was called, so he began using the mesh.  In my case I think it still connected to the dura somehow even though there is mesh, and my Dr has suggested taking out the plate, but he doesn't know if it will help?

Liz 

[Captain Deb]

Phx,
I suggest requesting a copy of the surgical report from your surgeon.  It is always good to know what was done to you in case you end up at a pain specialist.

Capt Deb

[phx]

I requested a copy, but the only copy I got was from the otologist. I don't know why I didn't get one from the neurosurgeon. I'm seeing a different doctor now. I beleive he did request for copies, but nope, no copies from the  neurosurgeon.

[CHD63]

Contact the hospital directly ..... they have to keep surgical reports on file.  You will have to give written permission to release it, even to yourself.

Ten years after my first brain surgery I needed the specifics before an MRI could be done.  I faxed a written request with my signature and they faxed the report back.

Let us know what you find out.

Clarice