Persistent Headache - Post Surgery

Hello -

I had a meningioma removed from the front left (left forehead) area of my brain in September of last year. I had a post-op infection and had to have the bone plate removed in a 2nd surgery in November and went through an antibiotic regimen. The plate is still missing, and I have to wear a helmet when active. I have had multiple MRIs and CT scans, which show no recurrance of the meningioma, and no abnormalities. They all come back clear. My neurologist says that he thinks the headaches are tension headaches, and may be stress of trauma related seeing as they start at the base of my incision site. Gabapentin was attempted, but failed to help at all.

Since my 2nd brain surgery I have had a persistent headache. 2 months, and no relief. I have tried hot baths, hot and cold compresses, sleeping it off, OTCs, herbs, massage, eliminating certain foods from my diet, and I eliminated caffiene from my diet 5 months ago... and my PCP has recently upped my pain medication to 12 10/325 Vicodin a day - yes 12. I expressed to my doctor that while it helps with the pain somewhat, I do not accept this as a long term pain solution. It does not make the pain managable - it just takes the edge off. Especially since there is nothing to prevent these headaches. My PCP attempted to switch me to Dilaudid, but that did not do anything to quell the pain. So I am back on 2 Vicodin every 4 hours.

My question is this - is there anything more that I should discuss with my doctor? Any treatments that can be looked into? Any preventative measures that I should be taking? I need to know what I should be telling my doctor to get some relief.

Please help. My headaches are so bad that my vision blurs, I can't concentrate, and alot of times I have to sit down because the pain gets unbearable when standing. I literally feel like I am going to fall over.

Thank you,
Mrs. Mommy

[mrsmommy]

Forgot to add that I also had 2 EEGs - with no abnormal results