5 days post op 5 days with headache

Hi~ I had surgery on May 24, so I am 5 days post op. I have had a headache now for 5 days. The tutudol (sp?) in the IV was the only thing that brought relief. I haven't updated my profile yet but this is the "jest" of my stay and OR. Receieved fiber obtic incubation Complications, it still wouldnt go in right. I was tied down to OR table while 4 guys struggled to get the tube in. Took well over 15 minutes I woke up in recovery being told to breathe. I couldn't. Pulse ox was 62. After 3 mores hours tied down, same four guys yelling at me to breath, instead ventolator did the breathing. Finally, afther the third hour I wass breathing on my own. But they spent the next 36 hours reminding me too. No complications from actullay Open RNY, but plenty from the intubation tube. Spent three days in hospital coughing up what appeared to be peieces of my lungs. They assured me it wasn't. So, this headache. Yes, taking all vitamins, Up to close to 45 ounces of fluid, doc said get it to 50 by Monday and all is well. Peeing is ok. Passing gas as of yesterday. Holding down all my liquids. Doc has me on tylenol with codiene every 4 hours for pain. Doc has me on adult tylenol every 4 hours for headaches. So, every 2 hours I am taking some kind of pain reliever. Neither of these is touching my headache pain. My blood pressure is fine. Any suggestions? I am in such agony. It is unbearable. Sorry if this post makes no sense. At this point my typing is for the birdsd. Thanks, Marlene

I'm sorry you're hurting so much. I don't have any suggestions for you outside of the meds your doc gave you. Two possibilities come to mind: 1) could be the anesthesia - some people experience severe headaches for a few days after surgery from the anesthesia 2) caffiene withdrawal - I was a HUGE caffeine junky - 8-10 cups of regular coffee a day. I quit cold turkey once and wound up with a migraine headache for something lik 5 or 6 days. Worse pain in my life. Stupid me, after going through all the withdrawal symptoms, I eventually started up again. The second (and last) time I quit, I did it gradually, over the course of a month, so I wouldn't have any withdrawal symptoms. Hopefully, you'll feel better soon, whatever it is! Becky 287/271/140ish 12 days out!

Marlene, I'm so sorry you are hurting so much! I'm now 6 days post op. I don't have the severe headache. I've had a few small ones since the surgery. I went off caffeine 2 weeks before the surgery and also suffered with headaches for about 5 days. If that is your problem, then it will pass! I hope you can start feeling better very soon! Lori

Hi Marlene! I had my surgery on Mon 5/23 and I was having forever lingering headaches. They continued at home as well. The thing that worked for me in the hospital is IMETREX. I got migraines before I had surgery so I knew about it when I was in the hospital and I asked for it. It comes in 3 different forms, nasal spray, small pill, injecter pen. I like the injecton the best it works completely in 1 minute for me! It kind of works like an Epi-Pen I put it to my Upper arm and push the button on the bottom while pressing into my arm and hold ot til the count of ten. Works Great for me, maybe you should talk to your doctor about it. What I use is called an IMETREX Statadose Pen. Hope this helps! Angie Hugs and s

Marlene - Tylenol #3 or #4 has enough tylenol in it to max you out in a 24 hour period - let alone with regular tylenol. STOP taking the regular tylenol! You are putting way too much stress on your liver. Call the Dr. T#3 or #4 are "weak" drugs. You deserve and NEED better pain control. You MUST move, cough, deep breathe, and move some more. You might take a tablespoon of coffee or tea and see if it touches your headache if you've decaffinated yourself rapidly. Angela in Ok