Numbness in head after cyst removal

[Sunsetsky]

I had my cyst removed from my head approx 9 weeks ago but head still feels very numb and hurts.

Is this numbness something that will always be there

[angelite]

Hi Sunsetsky,

I have just read your other post - that's  a big surgery you have been through. I have no personal experience of surgery ( my brain probs are due to suspected inflammation episodes   ) but have read up on your particular cyst . 

I know that you have been worried about returning to work - judging by  your remaining symptoms, you do not sound ready to go back yet. Regarding numbness, I know from others who have had surgery on here that it can take a while ( weeks to a few months ) for sensation to come back. Headaches/pain are likewise common . Fatigue can be  an issue with all brain problems , usually at it's worst in early recovery but should  improve later on. Your feeling of panic/anxiety  - this could be a reaction to your recent traumatic situation or a by product of the surgery itself. Again, improvement takes time.

I think it is important to remember that you are very early in recovery after such a big op, that brain healing is very different to how  a broken limb mends and everyone heals at their own rate. It can seem like a slow process and sometimes there can be residual problems that do not completely 'fix' but we can learn to adapt around them. After care and information can be typically poor after treatment which is where charities like Headway come into play - do get in touch directly with them for help and advice. They also run local groups, which can be a great place to meet other people who have been through similar experiences to your own. Also see your GP for pain and other issues  ( although they are 'General' practitioners so not specialised, some have  better understanding of neurology than others at my surgery, so don't be afraid to try different ones !  ).

Welcome aboard ! It may be  a ship that we'd prefer not  to sail on but at least we are all in the same boat : )

Kind regards,

Angela x

[Elenor3]

Hi, I have repeatedly asked about the numbness I still have following an accident - not surgery (fractured skull and two brain haemorrhages). I've received different answers from different people. It's now almost eight months on and there is definitely improvement. From a patch which was about six inches in diameter which had absolutely no feeling whatsoever, feeling has returned from the outer edges of the circle towards the centre bit by bit. The numb part is now only about three inches in diameter. I've been told that my damaged nerves may 'wake up' (depending on the severity of the damage). The neurologist also said that the time for reawakening of nerve endings is not indefinite, and that after six months to a year, any areas where sensation has not returned - may remain that way. I'd suggest that you raise it again with the neurologist at your review appointment. As silly as it sounds (and no one told me to do this by the way), as soon as I was able to stand my head being touched, I started stimulating the numb area. Just minuscule very very light tapping with a finger around the edges, then after a few months very very gentle massage with a finger tip - really really lightly. I don't know if it helped or not, but it occurred to me while I was in hospital hooked up to the electric squidgy calf squeezing socks that they were being used to stimulate blood flow. My weird reasoning was that I should therefore stimulate the damaged nerve endings on my skull.I'm sure that sounds totally wacky, and I'll never know if it's helped or not. It may be that the nerve endings just wake up on their own but thought I'd mention it. Good luck with your recovery.

[Sunsetsky in reply to Elenor3]

Thanks very much for your lovely reply

The area of numbness is shrinking a little 

I am due to visit hospital soon for some physio so hopefully this will help my movement.

My girlfriend does lightly massage the are and it does help but I get a weird itchy feeling under the skin.

[Imagine72 in reply to Sunsetsky]

Russ comments that it feels like he has EKG pads still on his heads at time. Not sure how come but it sounds familiar. His is an abi... Not sure if that makes a difference.