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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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I had a craniotomy on Oct 9, 2025 for a benign tumor on the bottom of my skull.
3-4 weeks later I started having itching not on the incision, but around my whole head especially the back of my head. I also cannot remember certain words of things when I carry a conversation. Is this normal?
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1 ReactionAfter my craniotomy two years ago I had the same issue with not being able to remember certain words when having a conversation. I addressed the issue with my neurosurgeon during my 1 month post-op check-up. He said that was normal, most likely from the anesthesia. It did last about 3 months. Are you on any medication that could possibly causing this? Interestingly enough, about a year ago I started having the same problem but not to the degree I had it before. Then my sleep doctor told me he would no longer prescribe ambien because it was shown to cause memory loss. Since I quit taking it things have improved. Check in with your neurosurgeon. You're only 3 months out from surgery and it is his job to address all your concerns, major or minor.
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2 ReactionsI have always had pain at my craniotomy site. I just assumed that was to be expected. It's always been sensitive to the slightest touch or pressure. I had bad insomnia for almost a year because whenever I rolled over and the pillow touched the site, it hurt and woke me up, and the worry machine got going.
Fortunately, it was suggested that I try gummies. I take a quarter to a half before sleeping and it's made all the difference in the world. Plus, if I can get a good sleep, I can handle the pain during the day.
pain is purportedly very rate post crainotomy. When i had horrendous pain (and very limited vision in my left eye) i had an undiagnosed antibiotic resistant staph infection. It lasted for months and was "marginalized" resulting in multiple re-hospitalizations, inadequate testing, disinterest/annoyance of not accepting NS (in absentee) determination of "in good condition"!