After 2 Decompressions: Positional Headaches & Possible Tethered Cord

General
1

Hi All - after my second decompression I've been noticing new headaches (all of my pre-surgery type headaches have gone away).

The headaches show up when I first sit up in the morning, when I am in a bumpy car, or when I spend time looking down (writing, computer, etc.) The pain is at the base of my skull. It is a deep, almost burning pain that is around a 7 out of 10 on the pain scale. About 30 minutes after I stop the offending movement it settles down.

Has anyone had headaches like this? I guess I'm afraid that it could be something to do with instability in my neck.

In other news, I'm having an MRI to check for Tethered Cord on the 30th. I've been having back problems for over 5 years and Dr. Heffez wants to see if it is due to TCS. I feel very torn about this, as I would love to fix my back, but I am really over surgery at the moment! We'll just have to see what the scan says.

I also might have Pituitary problems. My thyroid has gone nuts since surgery and I have stopped producing Thyroid Stimulating Hormone. My GP is working on a referral to an endocrinologist to check things out.

Thanks for listening!

And if you have Craniocervical Instability or Basilar Invagination, what kind of pain do you have? Is it anything like mine?

2

Emmaline,

Good thought on the thyroid induced muscles cramps. Unfortunately, it can't be what's happening to me at the moment. I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism almost 10 years ago and I take levothyroxin daily. So when my TSH levels crashed after my first surgery in April my free T3 and T4 levels were still normal because of the replacement hormones I take. Very strange phenomenon and it looks ridiculous on my labs.

I have not heard anyone mention empty sella syndrome, including radiologist reports. I'll ask about it if my GP gives in soon and refers me to an endocrinologist.

Thanks!