When do headaches (post-surgery/radiation) become a problem?

johngiustino
johngiustino Member Posts: 26
in Brain Cancer #1
Some background: I was diagnosed with GBM last October, had a 99+% resection, had standard radiation/Temador, and just finished my 6th round of 5/23 Temador and had a clean MRI last month. Unfortunately, I had my first seizure a few weeks ago and I am now on Keppra (1000 mg/day). I am still going to work, though I am really tired during the day. Throughout the entire process I have been getting mild headaches and have been getting them a little more frequently recently.

Here is my question: What are people's experiences with headaches (post-surgery/radiation) and GBM ? When and how do they get so bad that your oncologist starts to get worried? (mine are not worried right now)

Thanks,
JG

Comments

  • palmyrafan
    palmyrafan Member Posts: 396
    #2
    Headaches
    While I don't have a GBM, I did have brain surgery, followed by traditional radiation therapy for my tumors.

    I do remember that during and following the radiation, I did have headaches for about 6 months which seemed to lessen in severity over time.

    You need to remember that your body (and your brain) have been through a lot in less than a year and radiation therapy can tend to swell the brain a bit, thereby causing headaches. As the swelling continues to go down, I would expect to see a decrease in your headaches as well.

    Best of luck to you!

    Peace.
  • edslas
    edslas Member Posts: 18
    #3
    palmyrafan said:

    Headaches
    While I don't have a GBM, I did have brain surgery, followed by traditional radiation therapy for my tumors.

    I do remember that during and following the radiation, I did have headaches for about 6 months which seemed to lessen in severity over time.

    You need to remember that your body (and your brain) have been through a lot in less than a year and radiation therapy can tend to swell the brain a bit, thereby causing headaches. As the swelling continues to go down, I would expect to see a decrease in your headaches as well.

    Best of luck to you!

    Peace.

    Headache red lights
    My doctors tell me the warning signs are:
    1) Severe headaches that come on suddenly.
    2) Headaches that wake you up at night.
    3) Severe headaches that are accompanied by vomiting.

    I recently had a episode like this. The doctor ordered a 'wet' CT scan to see if there was any bleeding - it was clean.

    The doctor suggested that I take 2mg/day of decadron during chemo to help out - it seemed to work.

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