Realistic recovery time required after brain surgery

[Kimmers62]

I had brain surgery for a meningioma on July 19, 2007 that lasted 7.5 hours. (The only down side of the surgery was that the drill went too far and a hole was put in my nasal passage but this was successfully repaired with fat tissue from my stomach.) The tumor was touching my right optic nerve.  I have no resulting vision problems or vision damage from the surgery but I have experienced almost constant headaches since the surgery.  (There have been 4 or 5 days since the surgery where I experienced some headache free time.)  I have had an MRI since surgery that shows no complications exist from the surgery and only positive signs of healing, i.e. no fluid build up and no sign of remaining tumor.    The surgeon feels the headaches are not a result of the surgery (please note that I was not like this before the surgery!) but my GP feels the headaches are a normal part of recovery from the surgery.  This conflicting opinion has effected my ability to stay positive, which I do believe is a very important part of recovery - i.e. I would be much more optimistic if I knew this was truly a recovery period and only a matter of time before my brain healed completely after the surgery.  I take T3's for the pain as they provide almost immediate relief.  I have been able to rule out rebound headaches by stopping the T3's and using Naproxen (NSAIDS family).  However the Naproxen is not as effective so I have gone back to using T3's.  I use 2 - 5 T3's a day. The neurosurgeon I was referred to put me on 20 mg. of Apo-Nortriptyline for chronic pain.  This seemed to be his magic bullet and I was unable to get much of an opinion one way or another from him!  The Nortriptyline seems to have helped with a part of the daily pain in that I feel some relief in the part of my head where I did suffer ongoing headaches prior to the surgery (classic tension headaches in temple and connected to back of head into neck).  However, what feel like recovery headaches are currently as painful as ever (5 months later) and to reiterate, they are nothing like anything I experienced prior to the surgery.  I could go on and on but the computer really aggravates the head pain!!!  My thinking is that it would be so helpful if others could share their recovery times and experience with me to help me maintain my perseverance through all of this pain.  

[Juliejd]

So sorry to hear about this. I would, without a doubt, get a second opinion...from someone whose had my share of neurological problems. Good luck!

[Rezee]

How are you now? I had brain surgery for a meningioma in June. The tumor was 6cm. Although it has only been 3 mos. I also get severe headaches daily in which I take Vicodin (4-6 daily). I also have a plate and screws in my head now. The MRI's have shown the tumor is completely gone but I am still swollen and numb. I am extremely tired and wiped out. I have checked out other pages of recovery time and it states that people go back to work within 3-8 wks.I certainly am not ready. I still  have memory issues, concentration and I "stammer" my words quite frequently, and I get dizzy. How long does it really take to recover?

[dirtbikedan]

Mine was resected a year ago 3/28/08.  My symptoms include headache, tiredness, generally feeling whiped out.  If I push myself for a day or two, I'm really down for 3-4 days feeling miserable.  I get irritable at these times too.  My memory is not so good, it gets bad when I feel bad.  I get sensory seizures on my left side, which also wipes me out.  There are times where I can go for a week or more feeling pretty good, but only if I take it real easy.  I used to be very active riding bicycles, dirtbikes, camping, many activities to keep me in shape.  I do not yet have the stamina to enjoy them to the fullest yet, and it is frustrating to not be able to get into better shape without pushing myself which in turn causes a few days of down time on the couch.  I am currently worrying about insurance, as I do not feel up to work by a long measure.  Directly after surgery I thought I'd be right back to work, but I know I'm not ready.  It is frustrating, but we are alive.  We will recover eventually.  I've heard the brain can heal for  2-5 yrs after trauma.  

[puddinandpie]

i see this is an old post .how are you doing.i think that you should see an eye specialist
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[liltleaudrey]

I am looking for any inlormation reguarding partial temporal lobe lobectomy Recovery.

I had this procedure twenty four years ago and I have had to go it alone throught out my recovery.  I could write a book on how and when things reconnect.  It is a very long and gradual process and as things reconnected for me I was very aware of the changes.  

I would very much like to find some to talk to about my experiences and start a help group for others to understand what they are experiencing.