Headaches after ACDF surgery

[esarey]

I had ACDF on C5 C6 about three weeks ago. My pain was immediately gone, and my arm feels great. I didn't take one muscle relaxer or pain pill after the surgery.

The second week after surgery I started to get headaches, not extremely intense, not a migraine, just a pressure headache. My teeth also hurt, and my eyes were a bit sore. I let that go on for about a week, and then I went to my IM. He said that it was probably my sinuses, and gave me Levaquin and Mucinex. I hadn't been to the dentist in quite awhile, so I went had my teeth cleaned and x-rayed, and no problems there. I also was up for my eye exam with regards to contacts, and my vision and eye health was good.

My Levaquin was done this past Sunday, and I still take Mucinex. My symptoms are still there during the day at times. My three week follow-up with my Neurosurgeon was today, and I was cleared for PT, driving, and some lifting. The doctor told me that while you receive anesthesia, and while you are intubated, things can back up in your sinuses.

I didn't have these issues going into the surgery, but maybe I had unknown sinus issues going in, that were exacerbated by surgery. I have no pain in my neck, so I believe the physician when he says that my head pain is not directly due to the surgery, but indirectly.

Has anyone else had the same issue? Is there something else I should be aware of? I'm not afraid, it is the fact that these aches and pains are more annoying than anything.

Thanks for all of the help.

[esarey]

Thanks Bev. Sorry to hear abotu your pain.

My headaches are not associated with any neck pain, or pain in the back of my head. It all lies in the front, and my teeth hurt at times, and I get zaps of pain every now and again.

I've read about Trigeminal Neuralgia, but I'm not sure if my pain qualifies me for that. I didn't have these symptoms before surgery, so I'm wondering if this is still the result of the operation?

Its only been a little over three weeks, so I'm hoping that this could be the answer.

Any thoughts?

Thanks.

[bev62]

I had a two level ACDF (C5-c7) in Nov.  Unlike you my pain wasn't gone, I have more pain now than before the surgery.  I also have headaches, they start at my neck and go up to the top of my head.  I ussually wake up with one and go to bed with one.  My doctor says that my pain is because my disk were totally colapsed and after replacing them with the bone grafts it has tramatized the nerves.  He said that the nerves had gotten us to the disk being in that position and they are kind of rejecting it.  It has been over three months for me, and all I can do is live on pain pills and muscle relaxers.  I am starting a series of three injections in two weeks, hopefully I will get some relief.