Author Topic: Headaches and Radiation  (Read 7085 times)

Nancy Drew

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Headaches and Radiation
« on: October 31, 2009, 06:14:34 pm »
Are you more likely to have headaches after surgery vs. after radiation.  Seems like I see more surgery folks comment on headaches than those who have had radiation.  I had GK last year, and I notice I have more headaches than usual.  I am headache prone anyway....usually migraines.  But, these headaches seem to be more the general type.  I forgot to ask my doctor about them when I was there a couple of days ago.  Guess they must not be too bad if I forgot to ask.  Still, they are bothersome and am hoping they will decrease soon.

Thanks,  Nancy
12/05 AN diagnosed left ear 4.5mm
06/08 6mm
Gamma Knife 10/21/08
1 year MRI  6.8mm x 5.5mm
2 year MRI  5.9mm x 4.9mm
3 year MRI  6.5mm x 6.0mm 
Slight Hearing Loss Post GK

Swedish Gamma Knife Center
Englewood, CO
Dr. Robert Feehs

Jim Scott

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Re: Headaches and Radiation
« Reply #1 on: November 01, 2009, 04:50:56 pm »
Hi, Nancy ~

Good question.  I believe the national statistic for incidences of post-surgery headaches is a bit higher than the same national statistic for post-radiation headache instances - but I could be mistaken.

I underwent both surgery (Retrosigmoid approach) as well as radiation (FSR) and did not experience post-op or post-radiation headaches.  I was never headache-prone (prior to my AN diagnosis) and remain basically headache-free some 3 years past my surgery and radiation.  Obviously, that is only anecdotal evidence but it's all I can offer with complete accuracy.  :)

Jim
4.5 cm AN diagnosed 5/06.  Retrosigmoid surgery 6/06.  Follow-up FSR completed 10/06.  Tumor shrinkage & necrosis noted on last MRI.  Life is good. 

Life is not the way it's supposed to be. It's the way it is.  The way we cope with it is what makes the difference.

Larry

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Re: Headaches and Radiation
« Reply #2 on: November 01, 2009, 05:26:17 pm »
Hi Nancy,

I would have had about 2 headaches in my life prior to middle fossa back in 2001. I have not had a day without headaches since - some days are really rotten. With the regrowth, I have had radiation treatment (about 6 months ago) and the headaches got worse for a short time then backed off back to normal and more recently have got worse.

Like Jim's situation, this is my story and from what I've read on this forum over the years, everyone has a different position on this which makes it very difficult for decision making. Overall, it does appear that surgery has more post op issues than radiation but thats more an observation on the posts rather than fact.

cheers


Laz
2.0cm AN removed Nov 2002.
Dr Chang St Vincents, Sydney
Australia. Regrowth discovered
Nov 2005. Watch and wait until 2010 when I had radiotherapy. 20% shrinkage and no change since - You beauty
Chronologer of the PBW
http://www.frappr.com/laz

Nancy Drew

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Re: Headaches and Radiation
« Reply #3 on: November 02, 2009, 02:13:05 pm »
Thanks Jim and Laz for your replies.  I guess it is worthwhile to take into consideration that the headaches are a result of stress.  I'll just monitor them and check with the doctor if they don't get better.

But, I am still interested in headache issues related to surgery vs radiation.  Please feel free to chime in folks.  It is always interesting to see what is going on with all of you and how you deal with AN issues.

Thanks,

Nancy
« Last Edit: November 03, 2009, 04:00:37 pm by Nancy Drew »
12/05 AN diagnosed left ear 4.5mm
06/08 6mm
Gamma Knife 10/21/08
1 year MRI  6.8mm x 5.5mm
2 year MRI  5.9mm x 4.9mm
3 year MRI  6.5mm x 6.0mm 
Slight Hearing Loss Post GK

Swedish Gamma Knife Center
Englewood, CO
Dr. Robert Feehs

ppearl214

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Re: Headaches and Radiation
« Reply #4 on: November 03, 2009, 02:05:25 pm »
Hey Nancy

Ok, here goes... I'm going to reference the official ANA 2007-2008 Patient Survey and the findings (link for report:  http://www.anausa.org/pdf/patient_survey.pdf)

Microsurgery (pg 20 of the report... pg 25 of the report provides more in-depth info for microsurgical headaches):

The following table illustrates symptoms reported by respondents who were treated via
microsurgical resection and that were experienced as a result of their tumor12.
12 The number of respondents in the “Single-sided hearing loss or deafness” category includes those treated via the
Translabyrinthine approach even though this method's guaranteed result is single-sided deafness. 423 respondents who
were treated via the retro-sigmoid/sub-occipital and middle-fossa approaches indicated experiencing single-sided
hearing loss or deafness out of a total of 531 (423/531 = 80%) respondents who were treated via these microsurgical
approaches.

Symptoms reported by Respondents treated via Microsurgical resection: # %

Headaches 466 39%


Radiation:

SSR (more detail on pg 40 of the report)

The following table illustrates symptoms reported by respondents who were treated via SSR and
that were experienced as a result of their tumor.
Respondents reported the following complications related to their treatment: # %

Headaches 83 31%


FSR: (page 50 of the report... more detailed on pg 55)

The following table illustrates symptoms reported by respondents who were treated via FSR and
that were experienced as a result of their tumor.
Symptoms reported by respondents treated via FSR : # %

Headaches 39 23%


hope this helps.
Phyl



"Gentlemen, I wash my hands of this weirdness", Capt Jack Sparrow - Davy Jones Locker, "Pirates of the Carribbean - At World's End"

Nancy Drew

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Re: Headaches and Radiation
« Reply #5 on: November 03, 2009, 03:59:47 pm »
Yep! Thanks for the info Phyl. Can always count on you for up to date info.   Nancy :)
12/05 AN diagnosed left ear 4.5mm
06/08 6mm
Gamma Knife 10/21/08
1 year MRI  6.8mm x 5.5mm
2 year MRI  5.9mm x 4.9mm
3 year MRI  6.5mm x 6.0mm 
Slight Hearing Loss Post GK

Swedish Gamma Knife Center
Englewood, CO
Dr. Robert Feehs

Nancy Drew

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Re: Headaches and Radiation
« Reply #6 on: November 09, 2009, 02:35:47 pm »
Headaches?  My headaches are starting to be more frequent.  I had GK and Fibromyalgia diagnosed pretty close together (GK 10/08 and Fibro 1/09)  Wondering which one might be causing the headaches....or perhaps both?  I suppose there isn't anything I can do, right?  I take Tramadol (OTC meds don't work) which seems to help, but I have to be careful with it since it causes dizziness... I have balance issues from the GK.  Do you just learn to put up with the headaches?  They can be disabling to the point where I have to stop my life for a little while and let the headache pass. 

I had chronic migraines for about 8 years which decreased greatly after I had my hysterectomy in 2003.  My AN was diagnosed 12/05.  Didn't have too many headaches pre-GK.

Nancy
12/05 AN diagnosed left ear 4.5mm
06/08 6mm
Gamma Knife 10/21/08
1 year MRI  6.8mm x 5.5mm
2 year MRI  5.9mm x 4.9mm
3 year MRI  6.5mm x 6.0mm 
Slight Hearing Loss Post GK

Swedish Gamma Knife Center
Englewood, CO
Dr. Robert Feehs

ppearl214

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Re: Headaches and Radiation
« Reply #7 on: November 09, 2009, 04:24:35 pm »
Hello Colorado Tree Hugger Nancy! ;) (cute pic!)

As you know, you and I walk in the same shoes (although mine are still carrying much more "baggage" than your's!)  I have met with the headache specialist here in town... and she diagnosed me with 3 diffferent kinds of migraines. Go figure, eh?  Anyway, we're playing around with meds (I live for my Tramadol... I have a "pet" name for it not allowed to type publically here) and like you, Tramadol can only do so much. Same for Imitrex for me.  If you can speak to a headache specialist to see if they can narrow down what your migraines may be, that will be of help to treat properly. Mine told me... part of migraines due to Chiari 1... part of migraines due to "mental-pause" (yep, I'm at that age) and another kind of unsure origin. 

Keep us posted on what they say... if you go. 

Hang in there!
Phyl
"Gentlemen, I wash my hands of this weirdness", Capt Jack Sparrow - Davy Jones Locker, "Pirates of the Carribbean - At World's End"

Sue

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Re: Headaches and Radiation
« Reply #8 on: November 09, 2009, 06:04:51 pm »
Well I must say, I am one of the lucky ones I guess in this regard: I don't have AN related headaches.  A small victory, but a victory nonetheless.  I had GK and no headaches, other than the garden variety tension headache now and then. 

Sue in Vancouver USA
Sue in Vancouver, USA
 2 cm Left side
Diagnosed 3/13/06 GK 4-18-06
Gamma Knife Center of Oregon
My Blog, where you can read my story.


http://suecollins-blog.blogspot.com/2010/02/hello.html


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Nancy Drew

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Re: Headaches and Radiation
« Reply #9 on: November 11, 2009, 03:39:10 pm »
It's a headache free day so far which is good since I usually get one after vestibular therapy.  Must be getting better with my balance....hope so!  I am post "mental-pause" as you put it, Phyl.  When I had my hysterectomy, they took out all of my parts, and I went on HRT.  If I skip my hormones for a couple of days, I get a huge migraine.  I went to a headache specialist for many years back in the early 90s.  I tried all of those migraine meds, and there were not helpful.  Except, I did get some relief from Midrin (the generic didn't work for some reason), but then about five years ago they quit making the name brand.  But, my migraines had pretty much settled down after my hysterectomy so I just learned to deal with really bad migraines with an occasional Vicotin.  I don't take Vicotin any more since I started using it for fibro pain...that is, before I got the fibro diagnosis.  The Tramadol helps a lot with migraines and fibro pain, but I feel like it could be sort of addictive.  I try not to dip into it too much.  Plus, it causes bowel problems (if you know what I mean!).

I do have a question, though, not related to headaches, but maybe a radiation issue.  Can you get some kind of "radiation fog" where you can't express yourself, find the right words, or just screw up the English language in general?  Or, maybe it is "fibromyalgia fog".  I find it gets worse when I am tired or stressed out.  It is very frustrating and embarrassing.  Thanks to all of you for your feedback and support.  It is very helpful.

Nancy 
12/05 AN diagnosed left ear 4.5mm
06/08 6mm
Gamma Knife 10/21/08
1 year MRI  6.8mm x 5.5mm
2 year MRI  5.9mm x 4.9mm
3 year MRI  6.5mm x 6.0mm 
Slight Hearing Loss Post GK

Swedish Gamma Knife Center
Englewood, CO
Dr. Robert Feehs

Sue

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Re: Headaches and Radiation
« Reply #10 on: November 12, 2009, 06:37:50 pm »
Nancy, read the balance article:   http://www.hearinglosshelp.com/articles/balancesystem.htm

What upsets the vestibular system upsets EVERYTHING!!  Well, almost everything.   Explains the fog.

Sue in Vancouver USA
Sue in Vancouver, USA
 2 cm Left side
Diagnosed 3/13/06 GK 4-18-06
Gamma Knife Center of Oregon
My Blog, where you can read my story.


http://suecollins-blog.blogspot.com/2010/02/hello.html


The only good tumor be a dead tumor. Which it's becoming. Necrosis!
Poet Lorry-ate of Goode

Nancy Drew

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Re: Headaches and Radiation
« Reply #11 on: November 13, 2009, 08:23:37 pm »
Thanks, Sue!That was very helpful information.
12/05 AN diagnosed left ear 4.5mm
06/08 6mm
Gamma Knife 10/21/08
1 year MRI  6.8mm x 5.5mm
2 year MRI  5.9mm x 4.9mm
3 year MRI  6.5mm x 6.0mm 
Slight Hearing Loss Post GK

Swedish Gamma Knife Center
Englewood, CO
Dr. Robert Feehs

b91221b

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Re: Headaches and Radiation
« Reply #12 on: November 17, 2009, 06:26:40 am »
Hi, Nancy....it's been about 3 weeks since CK treatment, and I am having headaches every day.  CyberDoc told me that indigestion and/or headaches could be a side effect in some people... Aleve helps me more than Tylenol.  Am also on an antibiotic for some dental work, so the combination is not helping the headache status.  Expecting that all of this will lessen in the next week or so.  Maalox is a big help in the "tummy" area. 

Barbara
Barbara

ppearl214

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Re: Headaches and Radiation
« Reply #13 on: November 17, 2009, 06:40:19 am »
Hi, Nancy....it's been about 3 weeks since CK treatment, and I am having headaches every day.  CyberDoc told me that indigestion and/or headaches could be a side effect in some people... Aleve helps me more than Tylenol.  Am also on an antibiotic for some dental work, so the combination is not helping the headache status.  Expecting that all of this will lessen in the next week or so.  Maalox is a big help in the "tummy" area. 

Barbara

Hey Barbara, you "toastie postie!".  Sorry to hear about the headaches and yes, must be careful with meds and GI reaction. Glad you are taking steps to counteract the headache and GI issues.... and here's hoping they alleviate sooner than later. I'm cheering you on!

Phyl
"Gentlemen, I wash my hands of this weirdness", Capt Jack Sparrow - Davy Jones Locker, "Pirates of the Carribbean - At World's End"