After surgery Symptoms

[Michelledawn0507]

I had my surgery April 13th of this year with a follow up surgery May 6th due to the incision not closing. About 3 weeks or so ago I began having stabbing pains in the back of my head like someone was stabbing me with a knife as well as someone cutting me across my skull. These symptoms came and went at random times. However there are getting more frequent and the last two days i have had a great amount of pressure and constant pain in the back of my skull near, Also both my eyes have tons of pressure to where they feel like they might pop out, with the off and on again stabbing pain that at times takes my breath away. Has anyone had this before or heard of it? I have called and left messages with my NS office as well as the RN there with no contact back. I am really getting concerned and upset since my surgery went so well and took away my symptoms and now this is happening. Please help!!!! Thanks in advance - Michelle

[Lindskea]

Wow I had this EXACT same experience! I had my surgery in July of last year, just a regular Chiari surgery, and at my six week check up (which is around the same time span as you) I started having excruciating stabbing pains in the back of my head! It felt like I was being electrocuted or stabbed with a knife. At times the pain behind my ears and eyes made my head feel like it was going to explode. I discussed it with my neurosurgeon and he said to give it a few weeks and if it still hurt he would give injections into my head to see if it eased the pain. He was concerned I had Occipital Neuralgia. In the meantime he told me to take take 3 ibuprofens 3 times a day (but don't do that unless you get an okay from your doctor) and at first I was so mad because it didn't help at all, but eventually the pain got better. It has now been a year since my surgery and I still get some stabbing pains but they're few and far between. I think it may have to do with how recent your surgery was. The reason my doctor wanted to wait and see was because you have to give your nerves time to wake up after surgery (and that might actually be the pain you're feeling), so give it some time. I was really freaked out at first too. But definitely bring it up with your doctor and maybe ask about occipital neuralgia.

Sorry for the super long post, but I was excited to see that someone else had this problem too because when I was going through it I couldn't find anyone else with the same symptoms and it was very frustrating. The pain was so bad I cried all the time and that only made it worse.

I know it's hard, but hopefully it gets better for you like it did for me. Good luck and feel better!

Lindsey

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum and Zipperhead Club.

  Yes, this has happened b4...not to me, but I have heard similar stories from others.

From what I recall were issues for the others were ....having EDS and not DXd, having a dura patch that the body is rejecting,(also a EDS issue), ....

Do you know what all was done during your procedure and if you had a dura patch what type was it....and were ALL related conditions ruled out?