Frontal headaches + eye problems 5 weeks post-op?

Hey everyone! I was decompressed on March 10th (craniotomy, duraplasty, laminectomy, tonsil cautery) and was in the hospital for 8 days. After surgery, I had a low csf headache post-op that caused an intense frontal headache. It lessened in intensity daily (walking really helped) until my release from the hospital and continued getting better until it kinda stalled a few weeks ago. The occipital headache which was constant pre-op, seems to be much much better (yay!) but I'm still getting awful frontal headaches, something I never had pre op. They are no where near the headache I experienced post op, but are enough that I still usually require a dose of my pain meds (tramacet) by early evening.

I also have visual problems that make focusing my eyes very difficult, sometimes the room gets dim, my eyes feel exhausted and sore all the time, everything seems flat, etc. Sometimes it's the eye problems (like trying to read or be on the computer) that cause the headache. I had vision problems pre-op but nothing like this. The headaches come on after activity (I'm still mostly inactive, but I'm trying to walk daily and so far I can only make it about 15 minutes before the headaches) or reading or using the computer or sitting up for several hours at a time.

Anyone else experienced this post-op? I just keep hoping they're a normal part of healing but nothing has really changed in the past 2 weeks, except that I'm trying to do more and that makes it worse. I've talked to someone locally who said they had headaches until 8 weeksish post op but I am just hoping for additional confirmation that this is normal.

Thanks!

Missy, it’s normal to experience “set backs” so soon after surgery. My headache level and type changed several times during the first 4 months. I also would get worsening pain with activity. I wouldn’t push yourself beyond that point of returning pain- maybe several walks a day under 10 mins?? Be patient and kind to yourself- you have just changed the physiology of your CSF flow, brain and neck. Your nerves, muscles, and ligaments are re growing right now. Everyone hopes that they will be the lucky one who wakes up from surgery to never ever feel a headache again- but thats not the case for MANY of us. We had to go through the ups and downs of the long journey to healing. My best advice is to not panic.

Hugs, jenn