Father discharged after burr hole surgery - worried

[Nursey87]

Hi, I’m hoping someone might be able to give some advice based on their own experiences. The story is really too long to go into, but basically after a hellish time, my father has been discharged from hospital after need two burr hole surgeries for subdural haematomas. In the days immediately after the last surgery (whilst drains still in) it was almost as if my dad had come out of a coma - no more drowsiness, confusion, fatigue, he seemed alert and ‘well’. However, on the day of discharge he headaches had returned and the first day at home has involved him basically being in bed all day, sleeping on and off, with intermittent headaches. Can anyone advice if this is normal and to be expected? We are all so worried that the haematoma has reoccurred as it’s much like the lead up to his hospital admission.

[Elaine888]

This all sounds normal,

My subdural hematoma was 3 years ago, before the surgery I was exactly the same, in agony, confused light sensitive, sick and drowsy.

Once the surgery was done I was like a different person, the pain had instantly disappeared (minus the tightness and soreness of the scalp).

Any surgery to the brain is a major one, your dad will still continue to be exhausted for the next few weeks. My body was very weak and achy following surgery but able to move about. Everything little thing was a chore and effort. I would need a nap every few hours because I was just drained.

Headaches were frequent following surgery but normal, the pain is different and nothing compared to pre-surgery.

Some days painkillers were needed some days I would try and avoid.

For a solid year I was an emotional wreck, from the trauma and shock.

3 years on I still have headaches now and again but only bought on through stress and lack of sleep.

I wish your dad a speedy recovery.

[Nursey87 in reply to Elaine888]

Thank you for your helpful reply and kind wishes, it is good to hear of your experience and to know what ‘normal’ might be like in the coming months. I wish you continued health

[Alice5]

My son had 2 burr holes following a Subarrachnoid haemorrhage. He continued to have headaches for a while, and, like you, I was really worried he'd had another bleed.

I was reassured the headaches were to be expected and they did stop before too long. Even now, 7 years later, I still worry when he has a headache.

Regarding tiredness, he still tires easily, there's no real improvement there. Sometimes he needs time and space for himself to re energise.

If you are worried speak to his Dr. It's very scary when your loved one is discharged! You're pleased to have them home but it's a big responsibility and can be overwhelming. Make sure you take time for you as well as caring for your dad xx

[Nursey87 in reply to Alice5]

Thank you for your helpful reply and kind words, it is good to hear of your experience as a family member, it is definitely a scary time. I wish your son continued health

[cat3]

I echo what Elaine and Alice have said but wanted to add my own good wishes, and to say that after a coiling procedure for a SAH I slept for weeks in hospital, needing pain killers every day then, on discharge, came straight home to bed.

There's a book titled "The woman who went to bed for a year" which was released around the same time ; my family used to joke about the coincidence because, although my days gradually became longer and I started getting out and about, it was around a year before I could 'endure' a whole 12hr day !

Now, 6 years on, I sleep for around 9 hours at night & never in the day. I still need painkillers from time to time and fatigue is still an issue, but my life (from the outside) I'm sure looks pretty normal.

I remember leaving hospital being pretty traumatic after 24hr safety & care, and I'm sure it's equally scary for carers. But (slowly) it does get easier. Wishing you both far better days ahead...……. Cat x