Chronic pain after craniotomy

How long ago was the surgery? Has anyone said that the nerves are regenerating and will calm down?

Interesting 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.

This may seem weird or hard to understand, but there are some really great studies being done on chronic pain and neuroplasticity. Look into John Sarno or, my favorite, Dan Buglio. Sometimes our brains need to be "rewired" to unlearn pain.

I did a quick Google read of both the gentlemen you mention. Interesting.

My chronic neck tightness and pain was immediate and ongoing following the surgery. The scalp pain around my incision probably started showing up after I got sensation back in that area which took about a year, including sensation in my left ear. Once sensation started to return the pain started.

I agree! This wasn’t even a side effect that was covered prior to the surgery. All I was told was that I lose hearing in my left ear. Which I didn’t fortunately, but most doctors don’t even know how to respond to my complaints because most doctors have never had patients who have had a craniotomy. And they also don’t know who to even refer me to! It’s frustrating.

I am 3 ish months out and I started having neck pain right after surgery. Now that I am getting feeling back, I have throbbing headaches in the area where the hardware is.

Being on the computer is still hard (get headaches)