6 months post S.H issues

[Forty-something]

Hi all, not been on for a while, hope all is as good as can b for everyone. Got a question.....I’m 6 mths post subdural hematoma and my head still hurts, I get pressure pains, hurts to wash/brush my hair and sleeping is a nightmare, hurts so much on a pillow....is this normal?!? Also memory is so bad after I think of something it’s gone....normal too? My GP is pretty useless so thought you guys would know more, thanks all.....wishing u all a peaceful day x

[Danger19]

Hello my lovely,

As you probably know a subdural hematoma causes pressure between the brain and the skull. Also to repair a subdural hematoma they sometimes drill Burr Holes into the skull. As you can imagine both of these would cause pain through pressure, plus drilling through the bones that protect your brain will be painful even whilst healing. I'm a nurse so the bits I know I'll tell you. Sometimes the pain caused by bones healing can be nasty. I broke the base and most of the right side of my skull in my accident in January and I still have pain in my skull. The worst pain is if I turn onto that side on the pillow in my sleep, I wake feeling as though someone has smacked me with a hammer. Also to brush my hair hurts, the funny thing is the right side of my skull is completely numb yet I feel the pain like you wouldn't believe.

I know it's been six months for you but in the realm of head injury, that's not long. It will be five months for me on the 14th June but my discomfort is improving really really slowly so don't be hard on yourself. I totally understand how you feel but you will get there my friend. They say time is a great healer, but it doesn't feel like that when you are waiting, especially for pain to subside.

I wish you peace, happiness, good health and a whole lot of good luck,

Vikki

[Forty-something in reply to Danger19]

Hi Vikki, thanks for replying. I didn’t need any surgery so no drilling the skull or anything. The pillow thing hurts like hell doesn’t it, and definitely like you’ve been hit, it seems to be getting worse rather than easier I’m finding, I have a doctors appointment for next week just to check everything again, but I take on board what you’ve said, I just need to give it longer I think.

Rest easy my friend x

[Danger19 in reply to Forty-something]

Hello my lovely,

I'm really glad you are being checked out by your GP, always better to be safe than sorry. I really hope there is no physical cause of the pain. Remember, there is increasing medical evidence that now proves that anxiety, stress, worry, depression, sleeplessness and other emotions can begin or increase the feeling of pain. You have been through an awful lot, perhaps the pain could be your brains way of coping with how you are really feeling. You are in my thoughts my friend.

I sincerely wish you a lifetime of good luck,

Vikki

[Forty-something in reply to Danger19]

Vikki u r so kind, it’s shard good t talk with someone who understands. Yes im glad I’m seeing the doctor, my second scan was clear s hopefully just a long process to full recovery.

Wishing u well xxx

[Shehisa]

Hi, I'm one month and a few weeks post my Burr hole procedure. Initially I could control the pressure pain with an ice pack, but these past few days have been unsuccessful. The pressure remains there constantly, I am currently admitted under observation because it's a Sunday and the labs for the CT Scan aren't open until tomorrow, my doctor has requested I take a post op scan just to make sure everything is okay, maybe you should ask for that too. My neurologist and two other doctors think it's just my brain recalliberating pressure due to the evacuation but one doctor isn't so sure, anyway maybe you should get a scan just to make sure.

[Forty-something in reply to Shehisa]

Hi, hope u r feeling ok in yourself tonight, and u get the scan and the all clear. I didn’t have surgery and I’ve had 2nd scam and no bleeding or any damage, so when I asked my GP last week about the pains, memory loss and other things she said....to lie on the other side of my head in bed, and because there was no lasting damage I can’t be having any issues. Was a waste of time, the issues are real and my head still hurts so I’m not sure where to turn next really. Thanks for replying xx

[Shehisa in reply to Forty-something]

I totally understand, anytime I walk into the clinic my doctors are like not you again lol. But the truth is I'm never familiar with neurological problems and I have never been through this before so anything I feel terrifies me. My bp has been on the fritz due to my burr hole or it maybe due to my head injury. My doctor prescribed some beta blockers for two weeks, last night I was having memory problems recollecting if I had taken them or not. My doctors are getting impatient with me too, but hopefully this scan should clear up any doubts. But I get it, the pressure on the head is very annoying and scary, I also get drowsy spells when I can't do anything but lay on the bed. But then again I'm just one month post so I get its two early to complain.

[Forty-something in reply to Shehisa]

First few months were a nightmare I couldn’t even sit up for weeks I just had to lie down and carry I pillow on my head to go to the bathroom. It’s good to complain or ask tho don’t it cos nobody knows what it’s like until u go through it. I know im lucky to b ok but the pressure pains and sharp sudden pains do worry me, I’ve got th doctors to do a memory test on Tuesday but she didn’t want too, im fed up of hearing...oh I forget things, yeah ok but it’s different since my injury. Are u sleeping well hun? I hope they get the scan done tomorrow for u too xx

[Shehisa]

Why don't you try the ice pack if you haven't already, they helped me for awhile. Hope you feel better soon and get back to normal life. Cheers

[Forty-something]

Yes I will thanks x

[Shehisa in reply to Forty-something]

Hey I got my post CT scan, there is no recurrence, had a little residual blood from my Burr hole which was drained with a syringe last Friday. I still feel messed up though lol, guess I'll just have to wait it out. Now I'm getting pains from the syringe which was inserted into the hole in my skull to suck out the blood. How are you fairing? Hope you are better?