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Debilitating headaches after right frontal craniotomy

Posted by charlie01 @charlie01, May 14, 2022

I had a right frontal craniotomy for resection of inta-axial mass July 28 2020. Followed by chemo pills and radiation. I had the usual symptom of fatigue. Which is hard enough to overcome. But, I am still waking with headaches in the area of the resection. Some severe enough that they are dibilitating and sometimes last until late afternoon or even all day. Have thought my sinuses may be part of the problem, so I have taken decongestants and aspirin. My neurologist has prescribed Butal-Apap-Caf50/325/40 mg. My 3MRIs have come back clear. I am due for another in June.

Does anyone else have headaches? I was thinking 2years after surgery they would subside. My quality of life suffers from the headaches.

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | May 14, 2022

@charlie01 your headaches sound hard to deal with. @kmart @kelliegirl33 @kayjaylauren @susanaz @pleu may have some experiences to share with you.

I know you’re anxious to find the underlying cause as are your doctors. I hope the butalbital, acetaminophen, and caffeine combination helps bring you relief. Have you started taking it yet?

REPLY
1 reply
charlie01 | @charlie01 | May 15, 2022
In reply to @colleenyoung "@charlie01 your headaches sound hard to deal with. @kmart @kelliegirl33 @kayjaylauren @susanaz @pleu may have some..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

@charlie01 your headaches sound hard to deal with. @kmart @kelliegirl33 @kayjaylauren @susanaz @pleu may have some experiences to share with you.

I know you’re anxious to find the underlying cause as are your doctors. I hope the butalbital, acetaminophen, and caffeine combination helps bring you relief. Have you started taking it yet?

Jump to this post

Sometimes it helps. But not regularly. It seems to help with the tension headaches that result from the original headache.

REPLY
1 reply
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | May 18, 2022
In reply to @charlie01 "Sometimes it helps. But not regularly. It seems to help with the tension headaches that result..." + (show)
@charlie01

Sometimes it helps. But not regularly. It seems to help with the tension headaches that result from the original headache.

Jump to this post

Charlie, I found this article that I thought you might appreciate:
- Post Craniotomy Headache (2021) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482297/

Pulling from the article, the researchers state: "Post-craniotomy headaches (PCH) are one of the most frequently encountered adverse events after craniotomy, presenting in over two-thirds of patients who have undergone the procedure. PCH falls under the category of secondary headaches and can present unique challenges in diagnosis and management."

The conclude:
"In the chronic phase, a shift to more non-pharmacological adjuncts may be considered. Alternatives to consider are physical therapy, acupuncture, TENS units, hot or cold packs, massage, or bio-behavioral interventions."

Have you tried any of these non-medicine approaches? Did anything help?

REPLY
1 reply
charlie01 | @charlie01 | May 18, 2022
In reply to @colleenyoung "Charlie, I found this article that I thought you might appreciate: - Post Craniotomy Headache (2021)..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

Charlie, I found this article that I thought you might appreciate:
- Post Craniotomy Headache (2021) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482297/

Pulling from the article, the researchers state: "Post-craniotomy headaches (PCH) are one of the most frequently encountered adverse events after craniotomy, presenting in over two-thirds of patients who have undergone the procedure. PCH falls under the category of secondary headaches and can present unique challenges in diagnosis and management."

The conclude:
"In the chronic phase, a shift to more non-pharmacological adjuncts may be considered. Alternatives to consider are physical therapy, acupuncture, TENS units, hot or cold packs, massage, or bio-behavioral interventions."

Have you tried any of these non-medicine approaches? Did anything help?

Jump to this post

Colleen, thank you so much. Now I know I’m not alone. Just need to find a clinic to help me prevent the daily suffering each morning.

REPLY
1 reply
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | May 29, 2022
In reply to @charlie01 "Colleen, thank you so much. Now I know I’m not alone. Just need to find a..." + (show)
@charlie01

Colleen, thank you so much. Now I know I’m not alone. Just need to find a clinic to help me prevent the daily suffering each morning.

Jump to this post

Charlie, have you considered a second opinion at Mayo Clinic?

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