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Hi all!!
It's been a bit of time since I wrote.
For those of you who are new to the group, I also have chronic pain.
After years of shots, procedures, etc. I had surgery on my C5/6 spine.
I was getting horrible headaches every day that woke me up.
It seemed the surgery worked (done in late Feb.).
After surgery, I had only 2 mild headaches, then soon none.
At about week 10, I fell twice. Thank you lumbar! (another story)
Within days, my headaches came back, not daily, however.
At week 12, when I went back for my last cervical check-up,
My surgeon could not help but see there was something going on since I was now walking with a cane (advice from my physical therapist).
Now, the headaches are back fast and furious on a daily basis.
I now awake each and every morning (anywhere from 1am - 5am) to a violent headache that only stops when I get up into a sitting position.
It is usually gone within a 1/2 hour of getting up, sometimes sooner.
I am so upset with this!!!!
I see the surgeon a week from tomorrow.
That appointment was suppose to be about the surgery for my L3/4.
Headache or the ability to walk?????????
I was once told that headaches are not an approved reason for cervical spine surgery.
I never pursued it since the headaches were pretty much gone after surgery.
I don't know what is going to happen now?????????????????
Stay tuned for the next episode...……..
To walk, or not to walk, that is the question???????
To have headaches (and sleep) or not to have headaches, that is the 2nd question???????
Wishing you a pain free day,
Ronnie (GRANDMAr)
Replies to "Hi all!! It's been a bit of time since I wrote. For those of you who..."
@grandmar Ronnie,
I heard about it when I had a injection in Hawaii. (BTW-your doctor cannot call into another state to order a Rx for you) A patient next to me in recovery had an injection. His reaction was an incredible headache, worse than a migraine was how he described it. I remember the doctor saying he may have a spinal leak. The patient was taken back to the OR and I was discharged so I don't know the outcome. I have read that a possible fix is a blood patch, using your own blood.
I figured it doesn't hurt to ask the doctor. Hope you are feeling better soon. Have a great day!
Jen
@Gail Your welcome Tramadol 50 works where the Tylenol in it doesn't for some reason the Tramadol isn't as effective for me just plain Tramadol. I just received an email from a Bill at TM test wanting to know if I still wanted to be tested did you before you where? They gave an ABC report about the testing also.Did you receive this information?
Yes, they called me first and told me they were mailing the blood test kit. Then I called them to find out where I could go to get the blood draw. That's when they said they would come to my house and do it. I didn't know about the ABC story, so I'll look it up. I haven't been diagnosed with fibromyalgia in the past, but my sister has it and I have wondered for years if I do. I didn't want the stigma of it when everyone was questioning whether or not it was a real thing, so I never asked my docs about it. I figured I would just tough it out.
Gailb
Volunteer Mentor
@Gail o.k. Then I,'ll get the blood test Dr.Visual my rheumatologist in Pa.did the trigger points I had 11of 18 but want to confirm it now so thanks Linda
Hi Jen,
I actually looked into the spinal leak and the symptoms are polar opposites.
You are worse standing up or in a sitting position and better when you lay flat.
For me, I am worse when I lay down and better in a sitting position.
But during my research, I did find something else that sounded very similar.
The headache presents similarly.
It is called occipital neuralgia.
I will check both out with my doc.
Funny, once when I was in Hawaii, I needed a prescription for a med (can't remember which). My doc called it in with no trouble.
Possibly the regs have changed.
@grandmar Hi Ronnie,
I am very happy to hear the symptoms are opposite but you may have found something similar.The important thing is that you get the treatment for these headaches
Gentle hugs,
Jen
@oregongirl I too had the procedure where they put some cement in my spine, I broke a vertabra in a fall on concrete stairs. It worked wonderfully initially but about two weeks after the procedure I slipped and in trying to not fall I wrenched my back. I think that must have effected the cement and perhaps dislodged it because it wasn't as good after that and now I have a big lump sticking out of my back. I joke that I have a nose growing out of my back, because that is how it looks. I don't hurt much except when I sit on a hard-backed chair, and when I try to sleep on my back. I haven't looked into getting it fixed because there is no way I would want another surgery unless it was absolutely necessary.
JK
@sandytoes14 That's a good thought. My nephew had terrible headaches and it took at least a month and multiple doctors to finally figure out that he was leaking spinal fluid. He had surgery and has been great ever since. His headaches were so severe that he was out of work most of the time. It was a difficult time for his whole family, very scary thinking he might need brain surgery, but the surgery he had to have is much more minor than brain surgery.
JK
@grandmar Most of my doctors are in MA and I live in NH and there is no problem with them calling in prescriptions to my drugstore up here, so perhaps it's a state by state thing.
JK
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Jen,
Thank you for the suggestion.
I never heard of that.
I certainly will ask the neuro surgeon when I see him next week.
Do you know how they treat that?
Guess I could look it up.
How did you hear about that?
Thanks again for the suggestion!
Have a great and pain free day!
Ronnie