morning headache

[Kim60]

Hi everyone,
I'm 3 weeks post op. Doing OK. Actually a lot better then I thought I would.  Still a bit dizzy and have to take it easy or I'll pay the next day or 2. Stiffness in my neck and still on pain pills so still not driving.  Incision looks good.  
My question is: all of the sudden the past 5-6 mornings I've woken up with the worst pounding HA.  I am taking Valium before bed and either Fioricet or Tylenol/w Codeine depending on where the pain or spasms are at the time.
At first I thought it was the Valium (which I don't know why all of the sudden after over 2 weeks of taking it) so I stopped and went back to my Ambien.  Still happening.
Does this happen to anyone.  It's really the worst HA of the day and takes quite a while for it to get any better after taking meds in the morning. Wondering if it could be the time span between meds.  I was getting up in the middle of the night and taking something but have tried to stop that.  Or maybe laying down too long??
Just want to know what to expect at the almost month to 2 month point.
Any comments from anyone who's had the surgery would be great.
Sorry to to on about it. Was going to call NS if it went on tomorrow morning and Friday.
Thanks and best to all.
Kim in NH

[selmaS]

No worries : )

When u lie on ur side..put a pillow behind u to keep from rolling and one btwn ur knees....this helps the alignment of ur spine.

Good luck and please keep us posted on how u r doing.

"selma"

[Kim60]

Hey,
Thanks for helping.
Sheila, I don't know how you do this without pain pills. I have a pretty good pain tolerance but not with this!
Selma, I will try different sleep positions.  Don't have a recliner but I'm sure if it gets too crazy I could borrow one of my parents.
I can only sleep on my side. I would love to sleep on my stomach as I use to but cannot turn my head on the pillow so of course NOT comfy.  If I lay on my back it hurts incision.  I have 3 pillows that I switch off with during the night.  2 are pretty soft and 1 is a memory foam pillow a bought that was supposed to be good for my neck.  
I pretty much think I've gone off meds slowly.  Gone from every 4 hours to every 6-7 hours during the day.  Then as I said pretty much all night till morning (this could be too many hours).
I think you guys are right. May be sleep position or probably just not resting enough during the day.  I do think I've been in the sitting up position most of the day for at least a week.  I will try to lay down at least a couple of hours during the day to see if that helps.
Glad this is "normal" .. I won't bother with NS unless it gets really bad and just doesn't go away.
xo Thanks,
Kim

[*Stormy*]

Kim...glad to hear that you are doing ok...considering..

That is something I definitely had post op..for several months. To tell you the truth, I get that a lot of mornings now, even 7 months post op. It's possible that after surgery we are still dealing with some high pressure issues, which is made worse by lying down for a prolonged time. For me, I get a really bad time with pressure if I lie on my back and I suspect those mornings that I wake up with a huge headache that I was probably on my back while sleeping. Selma gives good advice..try and prop yourself up so that you don't fall on your back. Unfortunately, that doesn't work for me b/c of the body aching I am constantly tossing and turning and would have to arrange myself constantly!!

So..I would say it is somewhat normal...but of course, if it gets to the point that you are really concerned, it never hurts to ask about it.

I think it is really nice that you and Sheila have someone to compare with who are the same time post op :)

Take care
Carolyn

[sheila53213]

kim i am having the same issues...the past few mornings i've had the worst headache. im not sure if its cuz of my position im sleeping in or waht but it wont' let up. im at the point of being scared taht my headaches aren't going away. and they are coming back with a vengence. for me though i'm off all pain meds and i have been since the day after i came home from the hospital.
for me i can't sleep on my back...it makes me crazy. try sleeping on your side...i find that the best way for me to sleep. it's more relaxing as well. i just keep a pillow under my neck to keep it in line iwth my heart.
also try to make sure you drink enough during the day. maybe it's your bodys way of saying "hey i need more fluids" or maybe you aren' tgetting enough rest....just some ideas of what may help.

i'm also 3 weeks post op so i know how you feel.

hugs to you.
sheila

[selmaS]

Welcome back !!...Thanks for the update....

May I ask what position r u sleeping in.....many post op chiarians as well as pre op have found lying flat on the back of ur head can cause pressure HA's and not a comfortable position for us.

Also, it is soon to be off most of ur meds....I know u will be stepping down.....but, do not make huge changes with these meds.....slowly step off.

I hope u can sleep on ur side and use a pillow or a rolled up blanket to keep u from rolling  on to ur back....u may also want to try to elevate the head of ur bed to see if that helps at all.

I actually slept in a recliner for the first 6 weeks or so...it was diff for me to be flat....I also had a bad flare of reflux so I needed the elevation for that too.

Everyone is diff....and what I experienced may be diff for u....so try  a few diff positions for sleeping to see if it helps...and be careful with stopping the meds.

"selma"