Headaches after SCS implanted?
 

Hi guys...it's me again. I have a question. Has anyone ever suffered headaches after having their SCS implanted? As many of you have read, I had two implanted at the end of June (cervical and thoracic). The leads in the thoracic SCS were replaced with paddle leads three weeks ago. I have noticed that I have been getting more headaches after this last surgery, well worse headaches than usual. I suffer from migraines and always have a baseline headache but I wake up at any time during the night with one.

I know I need to call the doctor, and will do so. But I wondered if anyone else has experienced this??

Thanks -
Nanc

Ouch Nanc!
 

Headaches have not been among my repertoire for post surgical sideffects and symptoms. This one you should run by the doctor, especially if you have a well documented migraine history.

Pray for ya,
Mark56:hug:zzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Thanks Mark56. At first I thought the pain meds after surgery were the cause of the headaches, then I haven't taken them for a couple of weeks so I know I cannot blame them. They are definitely different and getting worse :(

I have been getting migraines since I was a kid. The daily preventative stuff I take has cut them down tremendously. In the last three weeks since surgery, I have gotten three or four migraines and terrible headaches daily...something is certainly up with that!

I just sent my doc an email. I am sure I will need to see him sooner than I had planned on. I am still getting that pressure in my lower back too...ugh!

Thanks for the prayers, I pray too for some smoother days. It's difficult working like this :(
Nanc

Hmmmm....
 

Not that I have experienced. Now, there are certain medications that have caused headaches for me.
Are you taking anything different that might be the culprit?
I think CSF leaks cause headaches, but not sure on this. When you visit your Dr, you might want to see if he'll rule this out.

I hope they go away soon. I know how horrible they can get. I used to suffer migraines, but it's been years since I've had one.

:hug: Rae :hug:

No Medication Change...
 

Hi Rae, medications haven't changed. At first I thought it was the pain meds since that was something new, so I stopped them and the headaches have only worsened. I will talk to him about the CSF leaks.

Thanks...

Yep
 

Among the literature I brought home after my spine was touched every single time was the warning the SF leak could occur, and would definitely produce headache severely so if it did occur, so Rae get a GOLD STAR!! [sorry, no icon] Then there is the phenomenon of chronic headache of the migraine variety since childhood, also suffered by my dear wife.

No doubt you have worked with a Neurologist on the migraine issue Nanc since it is so longstanding, and if your surgeon comes up with a blank look, a neurological brain study could be done to confirm whether things have changed, say for instance, if you have a baseline study of that sort already. Such a record exists for my wife, so that is the reason for the suggestion.

I have personally as a spouse always found these headaches to be murderously frightening, because the symptoms are so awful and mimic other possible occurrences. We have been married quite a while, and I have been scared out of my wits more times than I can recall. Glad you are gonna bring this up to the doc.

Gladly keeping the prayers flowing for you Nanc,
Mark56:grouphug:

Definitely have the history with Neurologists...brain MRI's, CT's, you name it. Decided it is purely hereditary, no cause to them. I eliminated triggers. I am also gluten free, allergic to just about everything. My migraine prevention medication has helped me oh so much. These headaches, I have to say, have increased since the surgery and are a little different which is what concerned me. I do agree, gold star for Rae...like I said, I have sent Doc and email yesterday that I hope he will read tomorrow morning and call me. After Rae's note, I did search online and found that info :(

Not having the luck I had hoped with this surgery, it was truly our last ditch effort at pain relief with this RSD.

Again, the prayers are much appreciated!
Many Thanks!
Nancy
:grouphug:

So, I spoke to the doctor...
 

well, "spoke" through several emails, and he thinks that these headaches are more like migraine type. He said headache from neck is radiated to back of head and the stimulator is in the epidural space. He also said that I could try turning the stim off and see if it decreases. I just don't know since they are worse. I see him and the St Jude rep in two weeks and we will address the back pain/pressure further.

I am seeing my regular doc this afternoon to follow-up on the IV infection I got from the procedure, so I will discuss the headaches with her.

So there is my update...:confused:

Nanc is the cervical stim meant to treat your migraines? And if so did it ease them prior to this latest surgery? That's the primary goal of my Nevro stim (although I have hopes for my fibro pain as well).

Still Prayin
 

Definitely that. Have you tried turning the stim WWWWWWAAAAAAYYYYY down, in case, like me, you just don't want to turn it off? Such a test might help you discern the effect of far less stim.

Prayin,
Mark56:grouphug: