Daughter had Pitiitary tumor (prolactinoms) removed thru nie 6 days ago & in ICU until discharged 4 days later). She is still having very bad headaches despite numerous meds which do not seem to help her pain. Surgery Monday & still having headache (very

[fishclip1]

Daughter had Pitiitary tumor (prolactinoms) removed thru nie 6 days ago & in ICU until discharged 4 days later). She is still having very bad headaches despite numerous meds which do not seem to help her pain. Surgery Monday & still having headache (very bad), still lying on bed this Sunday. She had a csf drain but no leakage so far. Just very bad headache. Anyone have similar issues? Only option is to ER & more drugs which she seems resistant to.  She was finally discharged after trying to get headache under control, but they never did. She is 34 yrs old & prolactin level was 1600!

[fishclip1]

She had a blood patch yesterday and it made the headache much worse. During the procedure she heard talk of "went in too deep" and something, maybe dye mixing with blood. Not to mention they dropped items and seemed not too professional.   Also they made her Sit Up directly after the procedure. She screamed and cried out and they gave her Fenytal ASAP. From everything I read that is wrong, she should have laid flat.. Her neurosurgeon says she is not leaking - but couldn't sitting up immediately after the patch cause the headache to continue? She is pulling out clumps of hair in pain.  They are admitting her to the Pain Mgmt Center of Hospital later today.

[Daniel M Prevedello, MD]

If the tumor was really invading the cavernous sinus there is a very high chance prolactin will be still elevated after surgery and she will need medication anyway.

[fishclip1]

Thank you. Went to ER last night. She was given more Dilaudin and a vsf leek is suspected. A blood patch is supposed to happen today. Dye never had any nasal leakage. Her tumor had invaded cavernous sinus and her prolactin level was sky high. All docs recommended  removal vs meds. Even thinks he got the entire tumor. She is used to bad migraines ( hoping the surgery helps somewhat) but this CSF headache is the worse pain she has ever had.

[Daniel M Prevedello, MD]

Dear Fishclip1

Usually the postoperative period is not accompanied by severe pain. People complain of some soreness though.

Prolactinomas are usually treated by medication and surgery is not necessary. There are some reasons to decide for surgery as medication side effects.