MVD PostOp Brain Surgery: Migraines & Sensitivity to Light/Sound

[Tamara1313]

I had MVD surgery in which the surgeon went behind the ear to the center of the brain, then straight down into my brainstem. There were several vessels which had grown too long and looped, causing them to hit against facial nerves. Besides some paralysis, numbing and constant twitching, I looked like a freak for 32 years!!  To my surprise, the surgery was a huge success!  The hospital issued a public press release!!  A few weeks after surgery, I began having headaches which later turned into chronic migraines with auras. Now I get them daily. I also have an accute sensitivity to light and sound, to the point where I am housebound most of my time, living in a semi-dark and soundless, controlled environment. My Neurologist and PCP put me on 150 mg of Topamax and 150 mg of Effexor. He also gave me Toradal vials to inject myself in the hip with 60 mgs when my migraines hit level 8 and above. These drugs make me feel lethargic and unmotavated most of the time but the doctor tells me I must be depressed; that the drugs shouldn't have that effect. He wants me to increase the dosage of Topamax at my next appointment but it's not really doing much to control the migraines outside my controlled environment. Does anyone have any suggestions? I don't know what to do! Thanks in advance.