ANA Discussion Forum
General Category => Inquiries => Topic started by: annac on September 29, 2009, 06:46:02 pm
-
Has anyone recently had the retrosigmoid approach? Side effects?
-
Hi there,
I had a retro in Dec., and yes I do have the occasional brief migraine type headache. It responds to OTC meds and never lasts longer than 30-45 minutes. It's bearable, but I'd be a liar if I said it didn't hurt during that time period! That seems to be my only ill effect so far. Does that help?
Priscilla
-
I had retrosigmoid approach 19 months ago at Duke U. and had absolutely no headaches. I had 80% hearing in the AN ear pre-surgery, 20% post-op. Minor nausea upon waking up, quickly resolved within the first 24 hours. My main issue is one of balance, but my case is a little different, in that I have no vestibular nerve function on either side due to having had two retrosigmoid surgeries (see signature below), but I have learned to compensate so is mainly a problem when I am too tired, on uneven ground, or in the dark. The tinnitus is ever-present but can re-focus most of the time except in noisy environments.
Life is good.
Clarice
-
Retro end of May this year. No side effects. Headaches for about 7 weeks after surgery, but now-none.
-
I had retrosigmoid in May 2007.
I woke up with double vision, but that only lasted a day or two. I had balance issues, dry mouth, metallic mouth, and dry eye for a couple of months - that that all went away. I had slight facial paralysis for about a day post op (steroids took care of it). I had no headaches - don't now either.
My only long-term, permanent side-effect is SSD (single-sided deafness) - but I have a BAHA implant and that helps a lot.
Jan
-
Anna:
I addressed this on another thread of yours but I think it's worth repeating, here, since you've posed a direct question.
I underwent Retrosigmoid Approach AN surgery in June, 2006 (see my signature). My neurosurgeon assured me that I wouldn't experience post-op headaches - and I did not. He said that he uses a method ('sticky patches' + constant suction) to avoid leaving bone dust behind that can cause headaches. He also claimed that he only moved my cerebellum a 'tiny bit', to further help avoid post-op headaches. Of course, this is one AN specific patient's experience with one specific neurosurgeon. I have to add the usual caveat - your results may vary.
Jim
-
Retrosigmoid for me in Aug-2008 and no headaches so far.....knocking on head(simulating wood) and hoping it doesn't give me a headache.
Patrick
-
Hi there!
I'm a retro gal too, and I had headaches a few days after I got home from the hospital that were pretty intense. My surgeon put me back on steroids again for a week and I have not had the first headache since!!!!!
Kathy
-
One week post op retosigmois approach. Having headaches and facial pain mostly in evening that becomes pretty intense at night. I see the neurosurgeon on Monday and hope there is relief ahead because I can't get a good night's sleep.
-
Retrosigmoid in Nov. 2008, no headaches until about 6 months post-op, then I get occasional weekend headaches. some only for a few hours and others for most of the day. i think neck strain is a common factor. Tylenol usually helps. If not, i try to sleep it off. These headaches are different than normal headaches though. They start out like sinus pressure behind my eyes, and then rotates around my head. crazy, i know. but i feel lucky that those are my only issues at this point given my other non-AN related complications.
-
nine days post retrosigmoid and no headaches---knock on wood
-
I also had the retrosigmoid approach, and have not had problems with headaches. :)
Regards,
Rob
-
Retrosigmoid in January '09, no headaches.
Neal
-
Had the r/s... no headaches for 2 years after surgery... now these are starting up...
My concern is that the muscle has now started to grow into the titanium mesh that was placed over the craniotomy hole. :-\
I am curious as to "how many R/S people got the headaches later on ... down the road also?"
DHM
-
DHM -
I hope I don't jinx myself by posting this, but I was 2 years post op in May 2009 and I still don't have headaches.
I also had titanium mesh with my craniotomy.
Jan
-
See the thread in the surgical options forum. Cap Deb has some info on positioning of the neck during retrosigmoid surgery. It could be a factor in post-op headaches. I vaguely remember one of the surgical methods requires retraction of the brain to make room to access the tumor. This is thought to be a potential cause of post-op headaches. There was an old old thread about it....
-
retro dec 06 balance issues main concern but no headaches however i just started experiencing mild breif dizzy spells when i turn to an side