Random Swelling and Pain

[evanderyac]

I had a craniotomy done two months ago and a week ago, i was fine but this past sunday night i started getting a headache, but i just tried sleeping it off. monday morning i wake up and my neck about an inch away from my incision was swollen and painful at touch. my headaches would get worse and worse by the day. Is this normal?

[evanderyac]

Thank you

[selmaS]

  Deff ask what could be causing your issues as it must be something related to the surgery.....

It can take time just to heal, and if we do too much post op it can cause symptoms to return and flare....so take a look at your activities post op and ask the Dr what might be going on,...Good luck,

[evanderyac]

Synthetic was used because i  remember him telling me. its been two months since my surgery. I have an appointment tomorrow morning with him. I also had a CT scan yesterday and nothing was wrong.

[selmaS]

  You can call the hospital and request a copy of your OR report that way you will know what was used.....

For those that may have EDS and are not aware b4 surgery, they can develop issues with the patch if it is anything but their own tissue....

Types you may have are cadaver, bovine, synthetic or your own tissue....they would have had to harvest your tissue so you should know if that was done or not.....

Mayb you were just overdoing it....we can do too much post op and have set backs or symptoms come back with a vengeance....so try and take it a little slower for a while and see if that helps...

[evanderyac]

Yes I have a patch but im not too sure what kind. I,told the NS he should use the best type he had access to at the time. I was checked for a CSF leak but my NS said i was fine.

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

With your surgery, did you also have a dura plasty? If so, what type of patch? It is possible that you have a CSF leak....

Call your NS ASAP and go in to be seen.....

Laying flat and keeping hydrated can help....but do see your Dr.