I had my MVD on the 21st. The worst pains I have been having are there little spots all over my head (I think where they put the halo on). They feel like the worst bruise ever when touched... Is this normal? And if so, when will this go away?
Also, is it normal to have a migraine-type headache? Its mostly on the non-tn pain side, but im scaring myself into thinking maybe tn is coming back on the other side.
I think I just need a "it gets better" pep-talk... so anyone who has had a MVD please just tell me whats gonna happen in the next few weeks! tell me how it was like for you for the weeks after surgery.
Those headaches that you are experiencing are common and could last a few weeks on and off. Your head has been through a lot with the MVD surgery. If you had any spinal taps before surgery they can also cause headaches. I had a minor spinal fluid leak that caused some real sever headaches while in the hospital that lingered for a few weeks. I did not have a HALO for my surgery( 30 years ago) so I cant comment on that but I am sure just 10 days from having that fastened head has to still be sore. You are just 10 days out from major surgery . Be patient it takes some time for your body to adjust but you will probably start feeling much better soon. If you are like me you will live with that fear that the TN pain is returning for awhile. For a few months any facial or head discomfort brought back that same fear but as time goes by you start to put that pain behind you.I would expect by this time next week you will feel so much better and then one day it will hit you that WOW I am pain free and feeling like myself. Hang in there the very worst is well behind you. FEEL BETTER REST AND RELAX......ED
I promise you I felt exactly the same kind of pains. I still have tender points on my head after 18 months, but I can rub the area and it really is just tender. I know they are really painful points for a while but it does improve.
Your MVD was so recent, your body has a LOT of healing to do. Rest, rest and more rest and please stop yourself from worrying. Do some relaxation, be pampered and sleep when your body tells you too.
I had headaches, but I put that down to the fact I had quite a bad CSF leak after my surgery. It takes a few months to start to feel as though you really are recovering and you'll have good days and bad. You'll have days where you cry lots and don't know why and days where you feel on top of the world. It's very important, when you feel on top of the world, not to over do it. Trust me, it's easy to over do it and you pay for it BIG time.
As your hair grows back your MVD site will itch and annoy you, try to ignore it and don't scratch!!
The headaches are all part of the healing. My surgeon reminded me how bruised everything was and that even the bruising inside takes a while to calm down. You've been through a major trauma and need to give yourself permission to do nothing. Don't even fill a kettle or jug of water. Increase your activity slowly and do small walks around the yard/garden.
This time in your recovery is when you have to take care of YOU and do as you've been told. Gradually you'll begin to feel better and perhaps start to enjoy a few things!
I wish you luck and all the best for the future....painfree days ahead I hope.
Hi, brbgirl,
I’m in my 5 th month post -op, and the sides of my head where the halo was placed are still tender…not as bad, but every once and awhile I feel it. this will heal…As the others have said having an MVD takes a long time to heal…internally as well as externally. headaches are normal, mine were gone within a few weeks.
I know it’s hard not to worry, living with TN it’s only normal to fear it’s return. be prepared to feel unusual sensations as things heal and fall into place.
the best thing to do is rest and let your body guide you…if you have any concerns don’t hesitate to contact your doctor. I had extreme exhaustion for over a week last month which want normal for me, my doctor explained it was “everything” catching up with me.( stress etc)
Sure enough the following week I was fine. our bodies have a great capacity to heal, we just need to listen to it!
huge ((( hugs ))) Mimi xx
You wrote a post! Better than I could have done 10 days out of either of my MVDs. The halo sites always hurt me and I remember thinking it was unfair…that they could do major surgery behind my ear and it was the halo sites that hurt so bad. I had major migraine-like headaches for the 1st 6 to 8 weeks after each surgery, but the pain and frequency went down with time.
As others have said, this is major surgery that takes rest, relaxation, rest, relaxation and lots of sleep to heal. Do not be afraid to take the pain meds prescribed…I tried to “tough it out” a few times & ended up throwing up from the pain (I have fibro too so it intensifies the pain). You need to be waited on and spoiled, take naps, walk a bit, sit up, lay down, etc. all when you feel like it. It took me 10 to 12 weeks to recover from my first, 8 weeks for the second.
Sounds like you are doing well, sending healing and hugs!
<Is this normal? And if so, when will this go away? >
yes it is normal, but since this is different for everyone, how long or how bad they are is not the same..the holes in my temples where they put the halo on are still sore 30 days out.
my headaches did not stop, ever, but i think that was from the csf leak keeping me from healing, and had to have a second surgery to fix that, doing great now, just rest.
taking the pain meds takes stress off you too, so dont worry too much about that, just take them.
I had my MVD a week before you. I use packs on my head daily. I’ve been writing down each day what I am able to do, helps me see the little progress each week. Good Luck, hang in there:)