post op headache

[Julieruf]

Is it normal to have a debilitating headache on day 4 after decompression surgery?

[selmaS]

Hi Julie..could u mean the odontoid?.....not sure what u mean by arachnid...I keep thinking spiders....lol....

Ask what type of patch was used....she may be having a reaction to the patch, like Lizzy said it could be an infection or a CSF leak.....

But, the dr should be made aware.

Does the HA get worse if she is upright?This is a good indication of a CSF leak....

"selma"

[n40066]

i agree with selma and like she said....keep her flat for a few days with lots of liquids!!!  apparently you've already called her dr. does she have any fluid leaking from her nose?  my money would be on a csf leak or infection.  keep pushing the dr if she doesn't improve with laying flat.  good luck and keep us posted!
elizabeth

[Julieruf]

It isn't me it's my daughter. She had her surgery last Wednesday and is making very little improvement. They did a CAT scan yesterday late afternoon. They said everything looked OK just the same post op sweling at the site she had the day after surgery. She has been off most narcotics (except valium) for two days. She says (when she will answer) that these headaches are worst than the chairi headaches she had before surgery. I am just trying to understand what to expect. Here surgery was last Wednesday. They said she had a moderate to severe case. They did have to cut and patch the dura. They removed a lot of scarring and thinned the arachnid. ?? Any help would be appreciated.

Julie

[pamk5]

I would have to agree... if not still in the hospital call the doc on call NOW!  It is possible to have something going on and the sooner they know about it the better.  I havent had surgery yet for this but I would think the surgical pain should start to improve in 4 days not get worse.  

[selmaS]

Hi...really no, u should not have debilitating HA'S....but pain from surgery is normal...explain how this HA affects u...is it worse when u sit or stand and better when u lie down?

If u have extreme HA's it could be a CSF leak or like burdzman mentioned it could be an infection or a reaction to ur patch if u were given one.

If u have a CSF leak, lying flat for a few days, drinking plenty of water, and caffeine should help it seal.....if it does not in 5 days ur dr may want to do a blood patch.



DO let ur drs and nurses know the pain u r in.,..the sooner they check to see what is going on the faster u may feel better.

"selma"

[burdzmom]

ummmm....YES!!!! Im 11 months post and still get debilitating headaches! unless you are having a reaction to any of the medications you are on - - or they are starting to take you off of. there is also the chance of other infections too - it all depends on your symptoms to define that.
are you still in the hospital? when and where was your decompression done?  give your body time to heal. REST and take your meds! They will help you relax and your brain heals while you are at rest. Baby steps. . . . one day at a time. :)
hope things are better for you soon.

jil