Question:
Constant headaches, anyone have the same?

I checked and didn't see anything useful in the WLS library.....maybe someone here will have some input. I had open rny 1-22-01, I've lost 130 lbs so far with another 40 to go. I began experiencing headaches a year after surgery, ct scan - then a spinal showed nothing. I've been to 3 neurologists across the country, I've been to accupuncture and injections of lidocaine in my neck/shoulders. All my labs look good, I strive to get over 100 gr of protein a day. Is there something I may be missing? None of the doctors seem to think it's related to the wls. I am 45, my fsh is where it should be, but no monthly flow. I kinda think it's hormonal but I'm unsure. These headaches just started one day and have been with me daily for 7 months; it's like when you drink something frozen - a brain freeze. Thanks so much for any help, I'm tired of being on pain meds and going to the hosp for butt shots when it gets totally unbearable.    — Gail R. (posted on August 17, 2002)

August 17, 2002
hi there i know i wont be much help but just wanted to say that i too have been having headaches in fact ive had like the one week headache from hell! i had open rny on feb8 02 and am doing great! but have headaches a bit often so does my cousin julie she had open rny march 25 02 and is doing great as well but headaches too i wonder if we just notice they last longer because we cant really take anything for them well up until now anyway because surgeon just aproved adult tylenol or ibuprophyn but he warned that the ibuprpyn might upset the pouch too much so he said to take only with food hopefully this will take the ache away good luck to us all:)
   — carrie M.

August 17, 2002
Have you considered seeing a chiropractor? Maybe it has something to do with your back being out of alignment from the weight loss. Good luck with getting rid of this problem. I also suffer from daily headaches, but they usually wake me up in the night, and will go away once I've had a warm shower.
   — Christine L.

August 17, 2002
I have daily headaches, and they're not related to WLS. They started as migraines a year and a half before I had the RNY. One day I got a migraine (and I had never had one before in my life) and it didn't stop. I had migraine to varying degrees for about six months before we finally got it under control using several drugs, including Verapamil, Buspar and Effexor. Two and a half years later I have mini-migraines two to three times a week, one or two "big" migraines a month, and I am highly susceptible to "regular" headaches as well, so I probably have at least two of those a week. You didn't mention if you'd tried taking an antidepressant - Effexor, while a fairly icky drug in many ways, has really helped my headache problem.
   — BlueGray

August 18, 2002
Gail, I'm sure this has been checked but do you have sleep apnea? Or if you had, could you be using too high a pressure on the CPAP. Have you tried massage? I see a massage therapist regularly (I have fibromyalgia) and she is able to move things around to help with joint pain as well. The other thing that I've successfully done is guided imagery meditation. Also, are you getting enough water? Mild dehydration can encourage headaches. There's a woman who does great meditations on cd called Bellruth Naprastak..she has one for surgery I've used before. I think she has one on headaches and chronic pain. Look at www.healthjourneys.com. I suffered with horrible headaches as young adult and nothing really worked. I hope you find a solution soon. Katherine P. S. Congratulations on your great weight loss!
   — Katherine M.

August 19, 2002
Just a thought on the headaches. I used to get them a lot when I was younger. They did a ct scan and all kinds of tests. Nothing! It turned out that my bite was off. The dentist grinded down the culpret. It was better after that. But I have noticed a increase in headaches again. Talked to my dentist and he looked at my teeth and said "looks like you are grinding them", When I sleep I clamp shut and grind. They have a insert to put in your mouth for this. Very expensive. Football players mouth guard looks the same and a lot less expensive. Just a note I thought was worth looking into.
   — crazybadbug

August 19, 2002
I DEVELOPED OCULAR MIGRAINES SINCE SURGERY. THEY ARE INCAPACITATING. My neurologist started me on inderal once each morning and MAXALT 5 mg at instant onset of migraine. it has been ten days since my last headache. this is a godsend for me. also, i am age 49 and perimenopausal. both neurologist and gynecologist said migraines are also menopause-related. good luck to you.
   — michelle R.

August 19, 2002
Five weeks ago, I got the headache from hell. It started on a Tuesday, and by Wednesday night, my head was pounding so bad, I thought I was having a stroke. I went to bed and woke up with it! I stayed home from work, and by the end of that day, my neck and shoulders were stiff. No amount of Advil worked. I tried going to work on Friday, but after an hour, I called my PCP and begged him to see me. He diagnosed it as a tension headache (he ruled out a migraine as my vision was fine and I wasn't sick to my stomach at all) and gave me a prescription painkiller. It took almost a week for that headache to go completely away. I too suspected the surgery, as I've never had a headache like that in my life. I wasn't stressed out at all before the headache, but have been under prolonged incredible stress at other times in my life. I even had my eyes checked afterwards, and everything is fine in that area. I'm 44, and some have suggested I may be peri-menapausal (as headaches are one of the symptoms), but I am still regular otherwise. Since that episode, I have had a few dull headaches that went away on their own. I'm watching now to see if they are hormonal - if so - I should be getting one any day now (and praying I don't).
   — Cyndie K.

August 21, 2002
I've suffered the same way you have for months, it's unbearable pain, it can ruin your life. MRI, Spinal all showed nothing with me as well. I'm diagnosed with CHRONIC DAILY HEADACHES. I've been on medications and had the trigger injections in my neck. I'll e-mail you.
   — Lezlie Y.