Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Operation on 9th April 2015

My daughter is 7yrs old and she just had her operation 12days ago (foramen magnum decompression)
She was discharged from the hospital 2days ago but she is still having very bad headaches. She would explain the pain as if somethings is digging in her head and it keeps her awake at night.. How long does the pain normally last and what can I do to help her? The surgeon was only saying that the pain should go away with time, but i was hoping i would hear from someone here that has/had experience this kind of operation or know someone that did and what they did and the move forward from this situation that my daughter is in right now..
Regards
4 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
My son is 5 and had the surgery december 2014. It was one of the hardest things I have ever gone through. He was in so much pain! After about 3 or 4weeks he started getting noticeably better day by day. Dont get me wrong he still has his bad days but the good out number the bad.....before surgery almost everyday was bad. Use your support system and talk...cry if u need to....just know it will get better!
Helpful - 0
620923 tn?1452915648
COMMUNITY LEADER

  Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

Post op it is very important to remain on a med schedule to keep ahead of pain.....you can not wait until she has pain then the meds do not work well at all.....once she is doing better you can cut out some day time med times slowly to cut back and see how she does.....

What her activity level is can also affect how she feels....so only walking, and neck exercises approved for this surgery....

rest, rest and more rest.....

((hugs)) you your little one and you as you journey thru this.....know you are not alone.
Helpful - 0
12573102 tn?1431701617
Oh my heart breaks for your daughter.  I am 41yrs old & 19 days post op with the same surgery & only had C1 removed also.  I just posted a question on this forum (that you can read if you would like), because I started having more pain after my 2nd week post op.  I did however get off of the pain meds after 1 week, but had to start taking them again.  Just to give you an idea of the pain, I had a complete hysterectomy & never took pain meds at all (not even in recovery).  I have to take pain meds with this.  I have noticed that when I lay on my side, I wake up with a splitting headache with this shocking/bounding feeling on the side I was laying on........I actually have to hold my head with both hands to apply pressure at crown of head to get some relief until meds kick in.  My doc told me it is the sub-occipital nerve causing this due to the inflammation.  If I lay on my back, I don't have a headache when I wake up, however I do still have lots of stiffness.   I did buy a cervical ice gel pad yesterday that helps with the pain & swelling.   Meds & neck exercises also help the stiffness.  Sending prayers for a quick recovery for your daughter & pain relief.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi
My son was 8 when he had his surgery last July. It was at least 3 weeks before I could start to reduce pain medication. Its a slow process and but it does get better. Let her do things at her own pace. Most important is that she does whatever neck exercises that you have been advised. My son neck stiffened and tilted to the left after about a month as the stitches healed. It has taken 6mths of physio to regain full movement. He had his C1 removed. I hope you're daughter feels better soon.
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Chiari Malformation Community

Top Neurology Answerers
620923 tn?1452915648
Allentown, PA
987762 tn?1671273328
Australia
1756321 tn?1547095325
Queensland, Australia
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
In this special Missouri Medicine report, doctors examine advances in diagnosis and treatment of this devastating and costly neurodegenerative disease.
Here are 12 simple – and fun! – ways to boost your brainpower.
Discover some of the causes of dizziness and how to treat it.
Discover the common causes of headaches and how to treat headache pain.
Two of the largest studies on Alzheimer’s have yielded new clues about the disease