Can anyone relate to these Post-Op Headaches and Hearing Issues?

General General TN & GPN (Old Site)
1

1st, thanks to everyone who responded to my 1st question. Now another :-)

I'm officially 8 days post op MVD today. Immediately when I woke up, I had Severe swelling sensation on the same side as the incision, which I know is normal. My hearing has also been decreased since then (Ear feels full and almost like it's full of water, but it's not).

I want to describe these Headaches I'm now having that I never had and just ask if they are normal and hopefully know they will go away.

The Pain is like nothing I've ever felt and I can take tons of Pain without complaining. The best way to describe it is a sensation of being Hung Over, but x 1000. I can feel every heart pulsation in my head through some ringing in my ears. Honestly, I can tell you my exact heart rate just looking at a watch. I know not to bend over and the such, but sometimes, I do it inadvertently. But even if I stand up, the heart rate increases and these Pain also increases with each pulsation I feel in the Brain Arteries. It was so bad today, I was almost screaming. It was like a Burning Pain that peeked at the end of each Pulse.

Regarding my ear, it's been the same since I got home. If I put a tiny amount of air pressure into my ears from a super light blow, the ear opens and I can hear normal, but the second I let up, it's all clogged again with the fullness of water again. I know not to blow hard, so don't hit me too hard on that one :-)

If I don't move and just lay flat, this is by far the best way to control the pain. I'm one of these people that need to be doing something, even if it's just watching TV. i.e., I don't sleep during the day and I have to do something, even if I'm just surfing the web or watching popular Youtube Videos to learn something new. I have high dose Oxycodone, but it doesn't touch this type of pain. Ice is definately the best thing I use for relief.

Again, I'm sure I just get freaked out and scared for no reason, but I like reassurance to know this is Normal, so I'm just posting this here.

Thanks Everyone !!

2

The fullness you feel in you ear and the diminished hearing are very common after MVD. I had it with both my right and left side MVDs. I believe it is caused by internal swelling, and it does go away on its own. The first time it took several months for mine to resolve, and the second time it was better in about two months. I found it best to avoid loud, high pitched sounds whenever possible.
I had the headaches you describe after only one of my MVDS. They didn’t start until about a week after surgery for me, and I am pretty sure they were from changes in spinal fluid pressure. They resolved on their own in a few days, but you may want to call your surgeon to be sure. I also found that pain meds caused me to have brutal headaches when I woke up, so I would take Advil wit my pain meds ( provided there was no acetomeniphine in the pain med)
Hope you get to feeling better soon!

3

I would contact your neurosurgeon and advise him of what you are feeling. Ear issues are normal and could go on for months. I dont know if you should be in the type of pain that you are describing 8 days later though. Soreness...mild headaches..aching ok but severe pain I would call your surgeon. Sometimes things like spinal leaks occur and other things which are easily treatable. Call your surgeon today.

4

Hi Gary, I had the surgery in 2012, I had the same results about the ear pain and feeling like it was full of water, went for a follow up thinking I had a ear ach. But it was not, it just takes time but it will eventually went away. Unfortunately I didn’t have an success with the surgery as I am still on meds and have the same pain. I have an appointment on monday to talk to my surgeon about the gamma knife. I really would love to get some permanent relief, if only for a few years. I have been taking meds since 2010. Pray your had success and never give up. One day they will come up with something more permanent for us TM SUFFERES !

TAKE CARE!
EBuck

5

hi gary,

your head pain might be a CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) leak. the tell tale sign is that the head pain is alleviated somewhat when you lay down and when your head is lower than yr chest. . i had a csf leak recently after a spinal tap.it was horrible pain. standing or sitting up intensified the pain. mine was resolved with a epidural blood patch. although if caused from cranial surgery not sure that's an option. sometimes CSF leak can resolve on it's own. i deal with a hell of a lot of pain everyday from GPN but the head pain from CSF leak was a new horror. i went to the ER and fortunately the blood patch did the trick.

please look into csf leak. i hope you find an answer SOON! best.

6

Oh yes! Insane headaches. I am 2 wks out. I am getting more breaks during the day. Ask for Fiorocet. It really helps. You can take the Oxy with it but make sure not to consume more than 4000 mg a day of both combined. Discuss dosage with your neuro, not my advice. I just know it really helps. They will get better. Hang in there and try to rest. The time spent on IPAD or computer adds extra strain. Each day will get better. Watch for extreme nausea or fevers with the headaches. Best wishes. Taking my own advice I am off to bed.

7

Oh your posts bring back so many memories of my MVD. Although my facial pain was 85% relieved from the surgery, the recovery was brutal. In hospital, I had headaches so bad that my Neuro took an MRI to check for CSF. it was negative. But those damn headaches. When I got home, I was in and out for nearly a week. Headaches were doozies and over time diminished. But they were like headaches I have never felt. I’m facing 2nd MVD as after nearly 4 years my TN2 has returned. I’m confident I can get they it and so can you. Rest is the key. Every day after week 2 will get better and better. Good luck!

8

Hi Gary. Sorry you are hurting so much. I’m four months out from MVD for atn & tn2. It gets better! One day at a time. Sudafed was recommended for fluid in the ear. Helped a lot. Pain meds made my headaches worse so be careful with mixing and how much you take. Ice helped & walking every day. The more your head is up actually helps. Best wishes!

9

Hi, Gary, I had MVD surgery 4 years ago and unfortunately I now have TN pain again, just in another area. I have read many different stories has to how each person as recovered following MVD surgery, as for myself, I would say definitely get in touch with your Neurosurgeon, and let him know what is going on. There are things that can happen such as a CSF leak after surgery. My surgeon did make sure I took prednisone and hydrocodone. He was adamant that I take the Prednisone, as instructed. I had a dull head ache, but not has you have described and it was the hydrocodone causing it, so I just took extra strength Tylenol as needed. I did not have trouble with my ears but my brother had MVD surgery many years ago and he said he did and it lasted about a month and sounded like a washing machine 24/7 until it went away. Please contact your surgeon but hopefully it will go away soon. What I did not realize was the fact that It takes along time for the head to get back to normal, but, to be in that much pain, I would definitely get it checked out,

Hugs & Prayers to you! Linda

10

Doing quite a bit better now everyone.. Thanks for all of your replies.... I guess it's just time.. I'm so inpatient.. But again doing better. !!