Brief Answer:
A little more information please

Detailed Answer:
I am an adult neurologist and headache specialist and am sorry that the surgery didn't seem to entirely knock out the headaches but that is not uncommon. You did not provide any real details regarding the surgery, the headaches, or their history so please excuse any of what I say if it doesn't really apply. I'm trying to cover the major bases of possibility.

Depending upon WHEN she had surgery it could be that she is in a post surgical transition period and that the simple healing process from surgery itself needs to be settled out. If her surgery was some time ago and the doctor feels she has perfectly healed from the procedure then, it simply may be the case that she is having a breakthrough headache and that the surgery was not 100% curative or preventative. Remember, the compression to the brainstem was going on for a LONG, LONG time before decompression occurred. That means that residual irritation, compression, and alterations to CSF flow, etc. have been going on for her whole life before surgery. Even though the pressure has been relieved it is still going to take time for things to REMODEL and finally rejuvenate themselves so that everybody is living at a different "set point" so to speak. Make sense?

Think about when you fall asleep on your arm all night long. You wake up and you're lying on your arm and it's totally numb and/or tingling. You take your HEAVY head off the area of distress but yet, the numbness, tingling, and even sometimes pain persists for some minutes or longer. So even though the cause was removed symptoms continue. Then, after a time usually the arm wakes up, the circulation kicks in, and the symptoms resolve. But again, time is the key to resolving that set of circumstances.

This may be identical in nature so again, depending upon the time frame since surgery we may still be a bit early to expect PERFECT relief.

She should just be treated as she was treated for her migraine headaches PRIOR to the surgery. Make sure she stays hydrated at all times. If that becomes difficult or impossible then, a trip to the ER will be necessary to prevent dehydration.

Another often overlooked cause of these types of complications immediately following decompression surgery are side effects of the pain medications the surgeons usually give which can be anything from Vicodin to dilaudid, to Tramadol, or Tylenol #3 or #4. All these medications can have very severe side effects against the GI tract and so I would also look at medications being taken as possible culprits to what's happening and not necessarily blame the surgery and say it's not working....at least not yet.

I hope this answer satisfactorily addresses your question. If so, may I ask your favor of a HIGH STAR RATING with some written feedback?

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All the best.

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