Hello! You answered your own question my friend! You hit the nail on the head...(Or the screw hit the rod IN your head?) ...You must laugh from time to time, even in the medical field. However this is very common, but also you need to make sure you tell your doctor these things because there are very slight chances that adjustments are needed. For example, if you have swelling that is causing a screw or pin/rod to swell out of place it could become permanant until another surgery - So it is better to treat with medications and physical therapy until this goes away... However you did answer your own question very basically - With this type of surgery (not that I have personally performed one as I am a GP) but it will cause headaches, migraines, and even body/backaches, sometimes small fever from stress. You can treat this with a muscle relaxor called Metoxolone or another, which is only a night time drug usually (built up over time, then brought back down until not needed) called Cyclobenzaprine. I personally might reccomend a muscle relaxant called methocarbamol - Or even SOMA which is Carisoprodol (350mg) combined with 325mg of APAP (Tylenol) PLEASE, PLEASE! Talk to your doctor about these problems, and he/she will get you set up and pain and cracking free!