very sharp head pain

I had a pituitory tumor removed when i was 17. I didn't see a doctor for almost 12 years. About two years ago I started having Icepick Headaches. Very painful lasted about 5 to 10 seconds then now they last between 15 and 20 seconds. I got an MRI about a year ago and the doctor said there was something there, but that it could be marks of the old tumor. ???? I dont understand that. My prolactin level is always high and Im on parlodelle to control my hormones. I'm worried about my head pains. They hurt so bad that it feels like my teeth just want to pop out. I stop what Im doing because i get so light headed, dizzy, my eyes and nose get watery. This is happening to often now. I even wake up in the middle of the night cause I get one. Its embarassing cause I never know when Im going to get one. I could be talking to a person, or at work. What can I do? Is this a symptom that my tumor has came back? Could it be sinus? And to top it off Im 30 years old now and I still haven't been able to come out pregnant! Please help me the head pains hurt so bad that I cry when I get one!!

[DrRakeshMD]

Hi

Was your tumor removed completely? Was any radiation therapy also given at the time of removal? Pituitary tumors are usually not cancerous and therefore don't spread to other areas of the body. However, they can cause serious problems by putting pressure on important nerves and blood vessels. The headache may be the result of a pituitary tumor remnant impinging on some nerves. However, we cannot rule out sinusitis also, which may lead to these symptoms. Please get yourself evaluated completely to ascertain the correct cause.

Best...

[brainpain]

hi reda,i know what your going threw .i had pituitary sugery 2yrs ago,and have same symptoms you have.i have ice pick migraines and my temple and eye hurts so bad my eye waters and any light hurts,my head gets so sore to touch and eye almost swells shut,mine last for days.my prolaction isent high but i still have some leaking.i have asked my surgeon about the headaches he says it just migraines.my tumor got into my optic nerve and sinus cavitiy.had mri in dec no tumor regrowth.this pain is a nitemare,have you found anything to ease your pain.how was your tumor removed-crainotomy or threw nose.mine was crainotomy and after sugery is when i started having all this pain.just wondering if its because of crainotomy.lately ive been geting heart palps and getting dizzy,do you get heart palps to?  best wishes,brainpain

[Cookie122]

I don't know how helpful this will be, but Boston Scientific is working on something called the Bion. It is a small implantable device that helps mask pain signals and might be able to help with migraines. There is no definitive reports on it yet and what types of things it works for, but its hope for the pain. As for the other symptoms I wish the two of you can find relief soon!

[papit01]

hi  I had a pituatary brain tumor remove three years ago and after 2 years I star to have more headhche so I go bacvk to the MRI and they fuun that my tumors has been came back i got my secund surgery about 18 months but like last time the doctor can"t remove 100% but for same reason my tumor is growing faster and the lates treament that i have was in the stanfor medical in los altos and they treame w/ samting that they call Cyberknife it was same type  of radiation that the doctor say that it was the best that they cuold do me I feel real good now if u have any question please feel free to contacme at 510 415-2208 if u want to talk more aboiut this tank you and good luck..

[TallGirl41]

I just had a non-functioning pituitary tumor removed in April/2009. I was dismayed to find that the Vertex headache (or, headache on top of head) has come back. I once again have the constant headache and also the pain behind my eyes is back. Nothing works for this headache completely. I had the tumor removed through my nose, not the craniotomy, although, they weren't able to remove the entire tumor because of its location to the carotid artery. I'm hoping that after I have the radiation treatments in September to remove the remaining tumor that the headache goes away. Please discuss with your doctor about the Vertex headache and, have another MRI or a different surgeon read the one you had a year ago to see if your tumor has grown back. As you know, pituitary tumors can cause blindness and many other serious problems. Hope this helps.