Scalp pain! Could it be a sign of anything?

This is odd!  My scalp has been hurting for the last several days.  It's not like a headache pain or a sunburn pain...it's different.  I touch my scalp or move my hair it feels like I should have a cyst or something there, but when I look nothing...not even redness. 

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

 Maybe as you are losing weight, your  head is shrinking, and your brain, already so awesomely large and brilliant is pushing at it......

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!

LOL thanks Julie...I wish that was the case

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.

Thank you for your reply.  Unfortunately I've had shingles before and know it's not that.  There are no bumps or discoloration.  Even my doctor looked at my scalp the other day when I was in her office and she didn't see anything.  If I find out a good explanation I will be sure to post.

Ding dong....you've had shingles before......

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.

 But I haven't had a shingles outbreak recently or the rash.  Hmmmm....this is really a mystery 

You don't need to have had a recent outbreak to have neurogenic pain from it (seen this happen before).   You've had a massive surgical assault from your surgery and this has affected your inflammatory markers and your immune system.  A weakening of this can mimic what happens in the frail elderly in relation to neurogenic pain and shingles. I would ask your GP if this is a possibility.  For now the best you can do is to take good pain relief and minimise stress and infection.  Relax and live well.


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.

I dont think it has to do with your surgery, I havent had mine yet and I have that same pain. I have had it for quite awhile and they cant figure it out either. I have found its not as tender when I keep my hair pulled back in a pony tail. Dont know why but it just is.

I'm glad you mentioned the pony tail!  The pain is similar to what it would feel like if I had my hair in a pony tail that was too tight for awhile.  

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.