Post decompression headaches

[TinyRN]

I am curious for those of you with post fossa decompression surgeries, are you still having headaches and what have you been taking to relieve these? I have been on Fioricet and well due to its addictive qualities I'd much rather get off because working nights again and having an almost 2 year old now I find myself using them more often and I am starting to get rebound headaches from  trying to cut it out. I have been making sure I am eating healthier and trying to have at least one cup of caffeine because I know they help my headaches. I am trying to find a something that is not habit forming and Tylenol does not suffice. I use to have to take 4 of the 500 mg tablets to get rid of one migraine from my CM but 1-2 tabs of fioricet generally knock it out but I find when I sleep the next day I am missing my alarm clocks and I feel like a zombie. Any advice, and side effects included would be appreciated. (I know everyone is different) Thanks in advance.

Sarah

[selmaS]

I can not imagine working that type of job or shift so soon post op.....

TOPAMAX will change the HA and takes a good 2 weeks to adjust to it....

Mot sure I know what to suggest....I am in shock u went back to work so soon.

[ZilZil]

Have you tried Tramadol?  It really worked well for me for a little while.  

[TinyRN]

Selma-
   I have been post op since May 2013. I went back to work following 2 weeks post op. I am a nurse and I work 3-4 shifts per week (12-14 hrs a night). 7a-7p of course a little before and after. I tried to go back on my topamax and it was manking me very irritable and the headaches felt constant but different so I backed off it again.

[selmaS]

  Hi Sarah....how far post op are u?

And how long are u working? How many Hrs?...and then u have a small child no wonder u have HA's.....it may all be too much for ur body.

I know the more I did the worse I felt...even post op....I am going on 5 yrs post op and if I still do too much I get knocked down.....

  As for what I took earlier on post op it was TOPAMAX and it did change the type of HA's I got...which is what the med is intended to do......I no longer take it....and Ibuprofen does take the edge off for me ....and that is usually a weather related HA.