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Headaches: post by-pass surgery (Read 8596 times)

shgr

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Headaches: post by-pass surgery
Aug 25^th, 2005 at 7:21pm

Hello,

Cheesy

I was wondering if anyone has any ideas as to why, physiologically/anatomically, I am still having severe headaches after my surgery. They are actually worse than they were before the surgeries. The pain seems to be sharper and more localized.

Scans and other tests have shown no swelling, bleeding, or new strokes. My family and I have discussed the possible causes, but still are wondering. We have thought that the headaches might be due to:
1- Swelling from the surgery?
2- Collapsing of existing collateral vessels?
3- Further occlusion of the MM vessels?
4- Progression of the MM disease (b/c the surgery is not a cure, but a treatment) including :
a- Further occlusion of the MM vessels (MCA)?
b- Development of new collateral vessels?

I am sure there are many other reasons that I have not come up with. If any of you have any knowledge or theories I would love to hear them. I just want to know what is going on in my head that makes it hurt soooo bad Sad

Sad

. I was prepared for my headaches to continue, as I was aptly warned by the wonderful folks at Stanford. However, these headaches simply SUCK!

Thank you all, Smiley

Stephanie R.

Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all. Dale Carnegie

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Shan

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Re: Headaches: post by-pass surgery
Reply #1 - Aug 26^th, 2005 at 12:18am

Hi Stephanie,

Sad to hear about your headaches. I too have experienced some, but it seemed like it came in waves. Like for one week straight I had to take Extra Strength Tylenol for my headaches, but then the next week I was okay. I'm now about 3 months post-op, and as I mentioned before, I feel so "in-tuned" and very aware of even the slightest changes with my body. I was told from another local MM patient that she got worst before she got better (she had her sugery about 1 month before me). My MRI/MRA about 2 months post-op showed that I had blood/hemmorage still around the area in my head which is causing me to still feel some "pressure" and weaker on my left arm/leg, but I'm not sure if it was directly related to my headaches. I do notice that the area around my incision became itchy, but now sometimes I feel "throbbing." I can't keep up with the changes, so I've decided to write them down so I can accurately share them w/my neurologist at my appts.

At least your scans are good. Cheesy

Cheesy

I think if it was anything significant, wouldn't it show up on your scans? Did you have MRI/MRA, CTAs? Question...what has your doctor recommend you take for your headaches? I read your and your family's thoughts on what "may" be causing your headaches...and they scare me, quite frankly. I guess my best suggestion, if you didn't already do this, would be to inquire about your headaches with your neurosurgeon and/or his staff. Smiley

They would be able to offer you their medical expertice and advice...especially if you're thinking it may be further occlusion and/or progression of MM Wink

Wink

I hope you feel better soon! Smiley

Take care,
Shan

« Last Edit: Aug 26^th, 2005 at 12:24am by Shan »

"Love, Accept And Respect All Things And All Situations In Life … They Are Especially&&Designed For Your Personal Learning" ~Howard Willis

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Becky

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Re: Headaches: post by-pass surgery
Reply #2 - Aug 26^th, 2005 at 1:55pm

I still get migraines even after my surgery. My first nurologist put me on Inderal for them and then I had my surgery (which that nurologest didn't think I had MM). After the surgery I went for a two monts with out a headace. It must have been the painkillers. Then when I stoped taking the pain killers and saw my New nurologest who believes in MM. He ran some MRI/MRA, CT-angio scans to see why I am having the migrains agian. He put me on an antisezure med called Topamax. You take it daily at the same time of day and It Works!! 6months no migranes. An accasional headace which he said take some Extra strenght Tylonal for it But that is Only when the Atmospheric Pressure is high. Like right before a big storm. I hope this helps?
Becky

What doesn't kill us, makes us stronger. And sometimes leaves a cool looking scar. STA-MCA bypass and EMS Surgeries done at same time at the Mayo clinic

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shgr

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Re: Headaches: post by-pass surgery
Reply #3 - Aug 30^th, 2005 at 5:59pm

Becky,
Thank you for the suggestion to take Topamax. I have actually tried that before and although it helped a bit, it had ferocious side effects. I am now taking extra-strength Tylenol and when I feel like a vessel is about to rupture I take a Darvocet. I hope Moira is right and once the revascularization is established, the headaches will subside. If anyone else has any suggestions they would be more than welcome!
Thank you again,
Stephanie

Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all. Dale Carnegie

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moyamoi

Ex Member

Re: Headaches: post by-pass surgery
Reply #4 - Aug 31^st, 2005 at 1:08am

Hi Steph,
Did you read my post on your dizziness yet? I think it has a lot to do with your low blood pressure.
When I get headaches, I usually have them for about 3 or 4 days and try to ride them out but by the 3 rd day and I have to take something for them I am on heavy duty painkillers which work for me as they are not too frequent. I take Digesics and Endone (Oxycodone), but they are HEAVY DUTY Painkillers so you may not want to go down that road and just stick with the Tylenol.
Moira

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Shan

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Re: Headaches: post by-pass surgery
Reply #5 - Aug 31^st, 2005 at 3:53am

Stephanie, Becky,

I too was on Topomax, but because of the side-effects, my neurologist decided to discontinue it after about a week. I felt tinging in my lips and felt symptoms similar to those prior to my surgery. I am now taking Zonegran which seems to be working okay. I am also slowing tapering off on Dilatin.

Regarding headaches, I've been getting them this week. I'm not sure if it's because my swelling is going down. I've been told my neurologist to take Extra Strength Tylenol. He also said that one of the side-effects of Aggrenox is headache, but I've been taking it for about 2 months now. Can a side-effect start 2 months after??? Smiley

I still highly suggest having a scan of some sort (CTA, MRI/MRA) to see if there are any changes since your surgery. Smiley

.

Take care,
Shan

"Love, Accept And Respect All Things And All Situations In Life … They Are Especially&&Designed For Your Personal Learning" ~Howard Willis

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shgr

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Re: Headaches: post by-pass surgery
Reply #6 - Aug 31^st, 2005 at 1:38pm

Shan,
Thank you for the info on your meds. I too had the strange tingiling from Topomax. It did help my headaches though Undecided

Undecided

. In regards to the test to check my brain...I am having one this Friday! I will let you know what they find.

Moira,
But of course I read your great responses on my "dizziness" post. I think you are right. I think it is my low BP. I just wanted to find out if anyone else had this, to see if it could be related to surgery or something else. I have been told to stay VERY hydrated and eat foods with lots of salt. I have been eating lots of Campbell's chix noodle soup--liquid and salt!!!!

Thank you both-stay in touch and LOL,
Stephanie Cheesy

Cheesy

Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all. Dale Carnegie

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Dewski

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Re: Headaches: post by-pass surgery
Reply #7 - Aug 31^st, 2005 at 9:39pm

[quote author=shgr link=board=news;num=1125012119;start=0#0 date=08/25/05 at 19:21:59]Hello, Cheesy

Cheesy

I was wondering if anyone has any ideas as to why, physiologically/anatomically, I am still having severe headaches after my surgery. They are actually worse than they were before the surgeries. The pain seems to be sharper and more localized.

Scans and other tests have shown no swelling, bleeding, or new strokes.

Hi Stephanie,

Sorry to hear about the headaches. While I do not have MM, I can relate to severe headaches. Smiley

(migranes)

I take Toprol as a preventative, but if I get one anyway, Imitrex really takes it away, at least for me.

My son was diagnosed with hydrocephalus along with MM, and had a high pressure shunt placed in his head. It was to help drain any additional fluid that was pooling around his brain. I am sure that could lead to some fairly intense headaches too if not diagnosed properly...

Just my Smiley

. Keep us posted...

-= Dewski =-

WWW

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LisaH

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Re: Headaches: post by-pass surgery
Reply #8 - Sep 1^st, 2005 at 4:12pm

Stephanie,

I had my last surgery in April and I too have very bad headaches and different than they were before my surgery (and they do SUCK! lol). I believe these headaches, in my case anyway, are actually caused by the surgery itself. I had a double bypass this time, both direct and indirect on one side, and it's the indirect recovery that seems to be hurting my head. My surgeon recently told me that it could take quite some time for all of this to calm down, that part of the pain is the nerves (that they cut during surgery) are healing and that itslef causes weird pain and headaches.

I tried Topomax too and couldn't tolerate it. Again, I was told that it has similar effects as Diamox and I didn't tolerate Diamox in testing well either. DO NOT take most migraine medicines such as Imitrex or Maltax (sp?) etc.! Those types of headache meds are not safe for those at risk of stroke. I take Butalbital, which is generic for Fioricet and it works wonders! Thank goodness for that! Smiley

That was approved for me by both my surgeon here in Chicago, Dr. MacDonald and also Dr. Steinberg at Stanford.

Hope this helps and know that you are not alone!
Smiley

Lisa

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference." - Robert Frost

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shgr

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Re: Headaches: post by-pass surgery
Reply #9 - Sep 1^st, 2005 at 5:47pm

Lisa,
Thank you for the suggestions. I bet your head does hurt. I have heard that indirect surgeries hurt much more than direct! I cannot imagine having both done at once--Yowzers!

I was also told, by my pain doc that us MM patients can't take typical migraine meds.

Although I was told not to consume caffine, I have found that sodas and tea really help my headache (even if temporarily). Has anyone else found this helps?
Thank you,
Stephanie

Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all. Dale Carnegie

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LisaH

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Re: Headaches: post by-pass surgery
Reply #10 - Sep 2^nd, 2005 at 1:25am

Oh yes Stephanie, hot caffienated tea, along with an icepack, a Butalbital and a dark, quiet room, is my best friend Smiley

during a real bad headache. Although that was my routine with my migraine headaches my entire life. I travel quite a bit and now never leave home without a box of tea and some Ziplock bags for ice. Smiley

Funny how caffiene can cause a headache at some time yet other times helps a headache huh? I read once the science behind all that, something about dialating/constricting blood vessels, but don't remember it now. All I know is that it works for me!

I have hope though that these headaches will eventually abate some- for BOTH of us- as we continue to recuperate from our surgeries. Until then have a cup of tea for me! Smiley

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference." - Robert Frost

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Dewski

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Re: Headaches: post by-pass surgery
Reply #11 - Sep 2^nd, 2005 at 11:41am

LisaH wrote on Sep 1^st, 2005 at 4:12pm:

I tried Topomax too and couldn't tolerate it. Again, I was told that it has similar effects as Diamox and I didn't tolerate Diamox in testing well either. DO NOT take most migraine medicines such as Imitrex or Maltax (sp?) etc.! Those types of headache meds are not safe for those at risk of stroke. I take Butalbital, which is generic for Fioricet and it works wonders! Thank goodness for that! Smiley

That was approved for me by both my surgeon here in Chicago, Dr. MacDonald and also Dr. Steinberg at Stanford.

Hi Lisa,

Wow, there are some things in your post that were very surprising to me. Thank you for pointing them out! I didn't know that Imitrex could be dangerous to stroke patients. That's probably why I don't have "MD" after my name. Smiley

I took Butalbital for YEARS and never knew it was a generic of Fioricet either... Hehehe Man, I have to get back to researching things more. ; Grin

Grin

-= Dewski =-

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Shan

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Re: Headaches: post by-pass surgery
Reply #12 - Sep 2^nd, 2005 at 12:44pm

Prior to being diagnosed with MM, I was prescribed Imitrex, but it was my local pharmacist that warned me that Imitrex taken with the pressure medication I was also prescribed was dangerous if taken together. I was shocked because my neurologist at the time new of all my medications I was taking. I am so thankful for the pharmacist for noticing it. I read somewhere that it is important to have all your presciptions filled at one pharmacy, that way they can "monitor" and let you know of any drug interactions or situations such as these.

Lisa: I also had a double bypass and an indirect bypass and wasn't aware that it could be the indirect part of my surgery that is causing me headaches and pain. My neuro also told me that the cutting of my nerves, etc will take time to heal. I am now about 3 months post-op and this week has been the worst in regards to headaches! Embarrassed

Embarrassed

So far, he has only told me take extra stength tylenol which seems to be helping a little, but I find myself taking it quite often which I know is not good either (on top of my ulcer Angry

Angry

)...but I'm inquiring about Butalbital/Fioricet at my doctor's appointment today, as well as Trileptal.

Take care,
Shan

« Last Edit: Sep 2^nd, 2005 at 12:47pm by Shan »

"Love, Accept And Respect All Things And All Situations In Life … They Are Especially&&Designed For Your Personal Learning" ~Howard Willis

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grasshopper

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Re: Headaches: post by-pass surgery
Reply #13 - Sep 2^nd, 2005 at 1:52pm

hi stephanie!
i 2 have had head aches pre and post surgically. my neurologist put me on prozac (small side effects if any)bc they told me that like 97% of the patients who get migraines r on it. they can't explain the mechanism behind how it works..it just does. i still get an occasional migraine, but they r not daily anymore. hope this helps!!

Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goals.&& - unknown&&&&

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shgr

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Re: Headaches: post by-pass surgery
Reply #14 - Sep 2^nd, 2005 at 3:14pm

Grasshopper,
That is very interesting in regards to taking Prozac. I will inquire about that.

Shan,
I hope that your appointment goes well today. Make sure you mention your ulcer. I have been given a prescription for Darvocet for my really bad headaches. It does the trick, but is a narcotic!

Lisa,
I too drink hot tea. It does help, but as my docs warned, has terrible rebound headaches. Undecided

Undecided

Thanks all,
Stephanie Cheesy

Cheesy

Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all. Dale Carnegie

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moyamoi

Ex Member

Re: Headaches: post by-pass surgery
Reply #15 - Sep 3^rd, 2005 at 6:02am

Hi Steph,
When I last saw my neurologist about 2 weeks ago, he suggested that I trytaking Amitryptilene which is essentially Prozac, but I have chosen to stick with my normal meds (Digesics and Oxycodone) as Prozac is an Antidepressant and can cause a whole set of new problems - like you can't just stop taking them, you have to reduce the dosage over a period of time etc..
Just my 2 cents worth
Moira

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Becky

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Re: Headaches: post by-pass surgery
Reply #16 - Sep 6^th, 2005 at 5:17pm

Hot tea and a hot bath with lavender sented bubbles does the trick for me as well.
PS. I would stay away from Imitrex and Relpax and anything else in that family. My nurologest said that for people with MM that has the potential to colapse you vessles and might cause more dammage than help. I am also on an antideperssent for my own reasons, and yes they are veary dangerous to just cut cold turky. Please be careful

Becky

What doesn't kill us, makes us stronger. And sometimes leaves a cool looking scar. STA-MCA bypass and EMS Surgeries done at same time at the Mayo clinic

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Shan

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Re: Headaches: post by-pass surgery
Reply #17 - Sep 6^th, 2005 at 11:05pm

Okay, speaking of headaches, my headaches seem to be getting worse, but my dr is only having me take extra strength tylenol... In fact, I called my neuro today and told his nurse that I'm going to start taking my left over Vicodin because the Extra Strength Tylenol is just not helping!!! Smiley

I have to let you know that my dr is also in the process of changing my pressure medication, so I'm thinking this may be contributing to my headaches...He also thinks that the blood around the area that showed up on my MRI/MRA may also be putting pressure and adding to my headaches. Has anybody heard or taken Dynacirc? The reason for my neuro changing my pressure meds is that he said Dynacirc is much better for blood circulation in the brain than my other one (Adalat).... Man, I feel like someone took a bat to my head. Embarrassed

Embarrassed

Good night...ZZZZzzzzzz.... Smiley

Hopefully this will help...

Take care,
Shan

« Last Edit: Sep 6^th, 2005 at 11:51pm by Shan »

"Love, Accept And Respect All Things And All Situations In Life … They Are Especially&&Designed For Your Personal Learning" ~Howard Willis

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TllR

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Re: Headaches: post by-pass surgery
Reply #18 - Sep 12^th, 2005 at 10:59am

Hi Stephanie,

It's me Terry. My husband Bob had his surgery the day before you. I am finally able to get on this site (hopefully I will know how to respond as well) to see how you are doing. So sorry to hear about your headaches. But I do believe they will get better. Bob is still having his but they are farther apart. They were every 2 to 2 and 1/2 days but he has went as long as 6 days and then 4 days twice. But he had a set back and had 3 severe ones in a row. He made it through this weekend though.

I have to go to work now but I will try to post at lunch or before I leave work. Work is the only place I have access to the internet.

Keep your thoughts positive because it will get better I really believe it will get better for everyone.

Terry

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shgr

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Re: Headaches: post by-pass surgery
Reply #19 - Sep 12^th, 2005 at 1:35pm

Terry,
It is soo great to hear from you. You both have been in my thoughts so much. Whenever I have these bad headaches, I think of Bob! I wonder how he deals with his that are, I am sure, 5000 times worse than mine. I can only imagine.

How are the two of you besides the headaches? You are back to work it sounds like?! That is good, right? And Bob, how is he? Have you been back to Stanford? How is Bob's new blood flow? Please keep me updated. I am glad to see you are on MM.com! You will find the best support system here.

Take care, Terry,
Stephanie

Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all. Dale Carnegie

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