Headaches after cerivcal neck fusion

After reading several posts, yours is me to the "T"...I'm soooo sick of having headaches from the time I wake up to the time I go to bed!! It's not a life and seems the doctors don't listen or just think it's all a joke..I'm now on prescription headache medicine because, like you, I eat Excedrin like it's candy..It's the only thing that works, but it's taking a toll on my stomach now..So, the prescription headache medicine works, but not as good as the Excedrin..We just can't win!..I can't take these headaches everyday much longer..BTW, I had an ACDF surgery in 2013 and of course have a cadaver bone and hardware in my neck..Now my c5-c6 level is bad..He replaced the c6-c7..I also have a thoracic rupture..Therefore, I have spasms, numbness, tingling and weakness all in the left arm which is my dominant hand..Of course! But I feel your pain and frustration and am with you on the fact that there had to be a better way to control the headaches..

I had a C2 to T2 posterior fusion 2 years ago last month. The amount of pain from neck pain and headaches is awful. Nothing helps not even meds. I have tried PT stretching etc. Does anyone know if botox for migraines might help? I am desperate at this point.

I'm in the same position you are. I'm a 43-year old female whose life feels like it's over. I've tried everything. First fusion C3-C4-C5 Mar 2014 then next in October 2014 C3-C4-C5-C6. I haven't worked since April 2016. Non stop pain. Daily headaches. Some days are awful. I could take painkillers and just be high all the time but that's not living, plus the side effects... I've opted for all the alternatives you've tried with some relief but not enough to consider it living. I'm in pain. The worst part, and heed this warning, I had been taking various NSAIDS, as a woman, and for various sports injuries, for 25 years. Last year, I started getting really bad heart burn so the docs added in a that OTC oprama- Whatever bit didn't stop it. So they did an upper-GI endoscopy and apparently 25 years of too many NSAIDS tears up your body. So now, no acetaminophen, ibuprofen, Aleve, none of that stuff. Nothing but Tylenol. And it doesn't do sh*t!!! I'm in Washington so trying all the CBD (think weed with no THC) options.

Dude.... same story.... this is ridiculous!! Who has these surgeries and has good results? I just posted about having been told by a surgeon after an upper GI endoscopy that I have to stop taking NSAIDS... FML

I wrote this

4-9-18.. Hi my name is Melissa.

On Nov. 11, 2015 I slipped and fell at work and broke my neck. It was the worst pain of my life, I had 3 herniated discs, 2 of which were in my spinal cord and pinched nerves! Workmans comp and my employer took a solid month to send me to the Dr, then several weeks to approve an MRI.. needless to say I worked in this condition from Nov 11, 2015 until Feb 4, 2016. My surgery was March 14, 2016, I had to have the 2 disc along with numerous bone spures removed from my spinal cored (an extra hour and a half added to my surgery) 3 cadaver bones and C 4,5,6,7 fused together. When I woke from surgery in recovery I had the worst migraine in my entire life!! Since my ACDF surgery I've been living with daily headaches along with debilitating migraines 3 times a week. My Neuro has tried and continuing several medsications. I'm now on botox, topamax, tizadine, Zolmitriptan oral and injections that I give myself, and vitamins. I also have problems with my eyes twitching/jumping everyday which the rye Dr explained was stress. I have anxiety and panic attacks everyday now due to pain. My neck and down my neck around my shoulder scapula have huge tight knots that shoot straight to my temples that also bring on migraines. My life as I once knew it no longer exists! I have 3 grandchildren that I'm unable to pick up and enjoy as a grandmother should!!  Also, since my surgery the surgeon nor my neurologist have given me an MRI nor CT scan.. Nothing other than an xray "to make sure my screws were straight"  I'm out of answers and help and so depressed I'm sometimes ready to give up its truly unbearble most days and all this medicine they want me to take is only causing other internal health problems!!! Any advise will be greatly appreciated!! I'm ruly sorry for anyone else going through this as I am.  Thanks for reading!! 

I also had a double fusion and i lay my head back on the pillow and i get very dizzy it last for about 5 seconds and i reposition myself im worried also

I wish I had answers. I just wanted you to know someone read your post. I'm right here with you. Sitting here, well, laying here, in pain, wishing I could sleep but the pain, actually tonight it's just discomfort and throbbing headache and this weird bone ache that I've been told is nerve damage that is just a dull throb but if i move wrong us sharp, hot, shooting, breath taking pain. So I'm holding really, really still afraid to sleep. I wish I had more to offer you

And it's me, Jennifer Anders, that commented above again but it didn't give me the option to log in again.

It’s been 3 years since my last surgery and I’m still getting the horrible headaches that start up the back of my neck to the top of my skull. I’ve been trying to find an answer on what these headaches were for so long now. I had 2 failed anterior fusions at C5 through C7. Finally I switched doctors and had to have anterior/ posterior fusion. That was the most painful thing I’ve ever been through in my life. I’ve been in major pain ever since. My neurosurgeon would never really say what these headaches are but I would love to find out.

I also had a neck fusion c6 n c7 in 2010 and I’m also having the same headaches I’m wondering if I should have the fused part checked out n if I should see another dr for the chronic headaches

Yes I am having headaches on a daily basis.

I had a C5 -T2 posterior cervical spine fusion in November 2016 and initially it helped with the neck pain but over the last 6 months I have been continually getting severe headaches. These headaches start at the base of my neck across both shoulders and extend along the back of my head and across the top of my head to my forehead.

The pain is really intense across my forehead. My vision becomes blurred and I have difficulty focusing so cannot leave the house. 

Has anyone else experienced anything like this?

Hello!
I had C6- C7 fussion 2 years ago, and just as I started to get "comfortable" 3 weeks ago the temple headaches started...one sidef usually, and occipital pain... everyday.
The recovery from surgeryvwas slow and painful, and I still find it hard to place my head in a good pisition to sleep!I have bought numerous pillows. I am affraid to go to doc in case I need something else done!

I feel your pain. I had gone to see a new neurologist “to be cleared for chiropractic treatment”. The next thing I know my neurologist is showing me my MRI where my spine collapsed my spinal cord on several C- levels. My spine looked like a tube cut in half long ways.

I had surgery with a peek cage installed. I mentioned my headaches at the base of my scull radiating to both frontal lobes, resulting in vomiting and being bedridden. My doctor says it’s not “germaine” to the surgery he performed on me.

The good news is I’m not a quadriplegic. The bad news is my pain and headaches are challenging. I don’t take narcotics but struggle to find relief.

I too have had a multi level anterior fusion from C4-6 and have suffered from headaches since around 5 months posts surgery. I have been on every medication regimen that you can possibly think of from over the counter, prescription, and all recommended combinations. I have been recommended anti-depressants, muscle relaxers, neuro- blockers, neuro-stimulators, and have even been given injections to try and kill off living tissues around nerve clusters leading to receptors in my brain. Nothing has worked up to now. My surgery was back in 2012 and have been living with a daily headache at a migraine level since then. Medical "professionals," have not given me a diagnosis of a proper condition and have sent me to another "professional," for disposition over and over again since my original surgery for a crushed C5 which was the original problem. Now I am exhibiting symptoms of fibromyalgia... To all that are suffering, keep up the good fight and good luck.