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What Causes Severe Headaches After Cervical Rhizotomy Procedure?
Question: I had a left C5,6 &7 rhizotomy on Friday 7/10/15 for facet joint syndrome as a result of an auto accident when I was rearended.
Post procedure I had a pretty severe headache ( 5-7/10) upon awakening. The doc was aware and felt it was not related to the rhizotomy. Nonetheless, I was discharge from recovery to home.
Yesterday, on 7/11/15 my headache was mild to moderate. Today, the headache is back to being moderate.
Today, the headache is back to being moderate in severity (5-6/10)
I have a history of a left sided brachial traction injury and migraines, which have been under really good control since 2013. I also have a history of Viral Meningoencephalitis from the Herpes Simplex Virus in 2005.
Is this type of headache something I should be concerned about or would this be a normal complaint following a cervical rhizotomy?
The location is located more on the top and right occipital regions of my head.
Post procedure I had a pretty severe headache ( 5-7/10) upon awakening. The doc was aware and felt it was not related to the rhizotomy. Nonetheless, I was discharge from recovery to home.
Yesterday, on 7/11/15 my headache was mild to moderate. Today, the headache is back to being moderate.
Today, the headache is back to being moderate in severity (5-6/10)
I have a history of a left sided brachial traction injury and migraines, which have been under really good control since 2013. I also have a history of Viral Meningoencephalitis from the Herpes Simplex Virus in 2005.
Is this type of headache something I should be concerned about or would this be a normal complaint following a cervical rhizotomy?
The location is located more on the top and right occipital regions of my head.
Brief Answer:
Headache is probably not related to cervical rhizotomy.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for being on healthcaremagic.com.
I am Dr.Ajay Panwar,a neurologist,here to answer your query.
In the background of this clinical history,this headache is not likely due to cervical rhizotomy.Cervical rhizotomy can cause headache post-procedure but that headache seldom lasts so long.Moreover,intensity of your headache has been varying over time.However,if this headache would have been due to rhizotomy,its intensity would have decreased with time,with not so much of rapid variations.
Possibly,your headache is a component of your migraine spectrum.You need to be on a trial of anti-migraine therapy and observe for the response.Besides,location of headache being on top and occipital region,stress might be playing a role in headache.Please do regular mental relaxation exercises like meditation/yoga.It will be of likely benefit.
Old history of viral meningoencephalitis does not have an association with present headache.
Hope that I have answered your query.If you have some further questions,I shall be glad to answer else please close the thread,rate it and write a review as your rating will be of help to me.
Regards
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)
Headache is probably not related to cervical rhizotomy.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for being on healthcaremagic.com.
I am Dr.Ajay Panwar,a neurologist,here to answer your query.
In the background of this clinical history,this headache is not likely due to cervical rhizotomy.Cervical rhizotomy can cause headache post-procedure but that headache seldom lasts so long.Moreover,intensity of your headache has been varying over time.However,if this headache would have been due to rhizotomy,its intensity would have decreased with time,with not so much of rapid variations.
Possibly,your headache is a component of your migraine spectrum.You need to be on a trial of anti-migraine therapy and observe for the response.Besides,location of headache being on top and occipital region,stress might be playing a role in headache.Please do regular mental relaxation exercises like meditation/yoga.It will be of likely benefit.
Old history of viral meningoencephalitis does not have an association with present headache.
Hope that I have answered your query.If you have some further questions,I shall be glad to answer else please close the thread,rate it and write a review as your rating will be of help to me.
Regards
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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