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Chronic pain after craniotomy
I had a craniotomy for an optic nerve meningioma. The surgery was a success and I got a lot of my vision loss back. The issue is that I have had chronic scalp pain since the surgery. Apparently this is a rare occurrence and no one can tell me why it is occurring nor provide a good game plan for addressing the pain. I have tried accupuncture. I have been to an Integrative health center and a pain clinic. No one knows what to do. I am taking Lyrica twice a day which takes the edge off, but doesn't fully resolve the issue. I am wondering if anyone else has experienced scal pain after a craniotomy and if they have found a successful treatment.
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How long ago was the surgery? Has anyone said that the nerves are regenerating and will calm down?
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1 ReactionInteresting topic and here is some info to help you understand what’s happening with your scalp. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5331036/#:~:text=The%20craniotomy%20pain%20is%20primarily,or%20usually%20pounding%20(19).
I had back surgery in 1990 and the incision on my hip where they took bone for my fusion surgery did not fully heal for about 5 years. Every once in a while I’d get these shooting pains in that area. They did eventually disappear.
I had a craniotomy ten years ago when I had micro vascular decompression surgery for trigeminal neuralgia. I was 28 when I had the surgery, 38 now. I have been dealing with chronic pain on my scalp around the incision and chronic tightness in my neck. I can literally feel my neck muscles constantly being pulled up towards the scar area. NO doctor has been able to give me any answers. I was already taking lyrica for fibromyalgia. I’ve done trigger point injections and monthly massages. I try to massage the area of my scar but sometimes it’s much to painful to even touch. My guess is that they damaged the nerves when they stapled my scalp back together. I have been searching for ten years for someone else who has also experienced this. Sadly I found someone. Sorry you’re also going through post craniotomy hell.
Supernorva: Approximately how long after the craniotomy (when you were 28) did you start experiencing the pain symptoms?
It's so frustrating. I know this isn't a common occurrence but it is an occurrence. It seems like someone should be able to figure out a treatment plan.
I hate to hear it has been 10 years for you.