Scalp pain! Could it be a sign of anything?
I'm about 2.5 months out from getting the DS and I had another surgery (total thyroidectomy) on September 14th. Could the pain be a symptom I am going to lose hair or could it be an indication I am vitamin deficient on something? I will not get my labs checked for another 2 weeks.
~Roxy
Seriously though - not to make light of your situation....is the pain localized or does it cover the entire scalp? Did you begin taking any new meds since your thyroidectomy? If it persists, for sure I'd check it out, but if it is the entire scalp, I can't help but wonder if it's not related to your recent surgery. At any rate, keep us posted!
Duodenal Switch 08/09/06 - Dr. Paul Kemmeter, Grand Rapids, Michigan
HW: 282 - 5'4"
SW: 268
GW: 135
CW: 125
The pain is the entire top of my scalp...so if it does fall out there I will need a toupee. I did start a new medication, but I asked my surgeon Friday and she said she has never had anyone complain about that before. She asked if I was taking enough calcium and vitamin D. I take 30,000 IU D3 daily and 7,000 mg calcium citrate daily. She asked if I have any numbness in my hands or feet. I don't. So she don't know. I even called my pharmacy this morning because it is driving me nuts. Nope, not a side effect of anything I am taking.
I think I am going to add additional biotin to my supplements, just in case. Then in the meanwhile, I will just have to wait and see what happens to my hair...and wait for my labs in a few weeks. I know most people do not experience hair loss until the 3 to 4 month post-op mark, but maybe 2 surgeries back to back like that has wreaked havoc on my system.
Check with your Doctor. I had a painful lump on my back and went to my primary. I had Shingles. Apparently, the stress of surgery can cause people to get Shingles.
Get it checked out quickly cause the sooner your on antiviral meds the quicker you'll turn around!
Good luck, and I hope I'm wrong. Just going by what my PCP told me.
Postherpetic neuralgia
Postherpetic neuralgia is the most common complication of shingles. Estimates vary, but postherpetic neuralgia is thought to affect one or two people in every 10 who have shingles. The condition becomes more common with age, and affects one-third of people over 80.
Postherpetic neuralgia can cause severe nerve pain (neuralgia) that persists after the rash and any other symptoms of shingles have gone. If you have pain for more than three months after your shingles rash has gone, you may have postherpetic neuralgia.
Types of pain that can be experienced by people with postherpetic neuralgia include:
- burning, aching or throbbing pain
- stabbing or shooting pain
- allodynia, where you feel pain from something that should not be painful, such as a very light touch
- hyperalgesia, where you are very sensitive to pain
Postherpetic neuralgia may be treated with a number of different painkilling medicines.
ADDIT: just read ahead where you mentioned you've got lupus.........girl you need a Consultant review ASAP. You can get a relapse of this type chronic disease after massive sugery as the immune system runs out of steam. Ask for a refferal to a Rhemy or Immunologist.
Do you have auto-immune issues, thyroid issues, or migraines? I'm just wondering if it could be related to any of those issues now.
Oh well, I hope it goes away.