Hello,
I had right-sided MVD 8 months ago with a teflon pad put in place. Three weeks after the surgery, I had my first migraine. Since then, I get one about every three weeks. They always happen between 1 and 4 am and wake me from sleep. The headache pain is pretty bad and the vomiting makes it even worse. I get so sick that I can't go to work and lose a day sitting on the couch trying not to move.

I am 6 years post-menopause and have no personal or family history of migraines. I can't help but think these new headaches are a result of my surgery. I had a new MRI last month. The neurosurgeon says my teflon pad and nerve look good and has no idea about the headaches. The only finding on the MRI was "trace right lateral cerebellar gliosis." I have no idea what that means.

I have an appointment with a headache specialist in a few weeks. I'm also scheduled for a sleep study. In the meantime, I'd love to hear if anyone else developed post-op headaches and how you dealt with them.

Thanks in advance, Cheryl

Hi Cheryl . I am sorry you developed those headaches and the vomiting makes it all the more worse .I know about the vomiting issue but mine was not T.N. related . I think having a MRI was a very wise thing to have done and also going to headache doc . perhaps it has to do with blood flow at night when your are laying down is different then when you are up durring the day or sitting ect. make sure you write down things to bring to your apt. write down when you get them time of night what it feels like what position your in ...ie laying down on back with head propped up on pillow or sleeping on stomach with arm under pillow or how ever . Notes really do help even though it may seem silly it is not. I wish I could help you more but the only thing I can do is try to send a couple people who have had MVD to post here and also if you have not read Ellas MVD diary it is at the very top of this page her email is in a post on page 2 feel free to contact her. Let us know how things go and I am gonna try to get one whose had MVD to reply. Sending low pain thoughts and hope your coming apts bring answers and simple solution to those headaches .
Peace
BMW

Hi again Cheryl1818 . I wanted to tell you that Ginger candy or just ginger has helped me in the past with stomach issues and vomiting. but side note that I was recently rx with C.V.S. (that is a vomiting syndrome usual with people who have migraine history in family.) and was put on amitriptyline .Soo glad for that med!! it has NOTHING to do with T.N. . but it took over 3 yrs to get a correct dx. far after gallbladder removed and scoped 2 times upper and 1 lower (colonoscopy ) and a absurdly ridiculous number of times to E.R. for iv hydration and med for stomach pain. so yes believe when i say I know about the vomiting part. . Sending positive thoughts your way and hope your week is a pleasant one.
Peace
BMW

CVS would be the pits! I'm sorry you suffer from that. I keep ginger ale and ginger tea at work and here at home. They both help a bit. I also have zofran now and it stops me from vomiting during a headache, but it doesn't take away the feeling that I need to throw up.

Now that you finally got your CVS diagnosis I hope you can find something to put a stop to it.

Hi Cheryl,

Debilitating headaches can be the worst! I suffer chronic Cluster Headaches, 5-8 times a week now I am on high-dose Topiramate. Obviously when they strike, and for hours afterwards, I am unable to do anything they shake me up so much.

I am not saying you have Clusters, the symptoms are different, so do not worry there. I just want to say I understand and sympathise, and hope you find effective treatment.

Dave.

Thanks, Dave!

With chronic pain, sleep is a wonderful, peaceful, pain-free interlude and it really sucks to be yanked out of it so harshly with fierce pain. I am truly sorry that you have cluster headaches. I can only imagine how awful they are.

My son was telling me about some kind of mushroom that people claim will reduce cluster headaches with once-a-month use. They're illegal, so no scientific studies have been done.

I hope you have a good day with lots of happy distractions to keep your pain at bay.
Cheryl

I think I might have found out what's causing these new headaches. I had a sleep study a few weeks ago and had a visit with the sleep doc yesterday. He was the nicest, kindest doctor I've ever met. I have sleep apnea which causes low oxygen/high carbon dioxide which in turn causes a headache. I'm waiting for an appointment to get set up with a CPAP machine.

The doctor feels that CPAP will help the headaches and make me feel better in general. Then he smiled and said it wouldn't cure my TN. A doctor with a sense of humor. Wow, I really love this guy!

That makes sense . I bet once you have you cpap you will feel less tired no more headaches. Humor in a doctor is a very good attribute . He sound like one of the good ones ...watcha mean it won't cure TN ?' Lol . Keeping you in my thoughts and praying you keep getting better and continue non stop until your pain free. Hugs PEACE BMW

Hi Cheryl,

I'd had TN for over 20 years. Mine has disappeared now.

I am glad you have had in intervention! TN is so painful!
I hope the CPAP also helps you with headache and more.

Warmly,
DejaVu

DejaVu,
How did you get rid of your TN? My pain doctor told me that it could just go away some day, but I didn't really believe that could happen. I'm glad yours is gone!