In April 2012, I had 2 benign meningomas (around the sinus area) removed in a sucessful surgery. When the diagnosis was made, I had just returned from China and it has been a roller coaster ride ever since. My emotions are starting to settle down abit but am left with some challenges. I have a very itchy scalp/ forehead (nerve endings trying to reattach themselves) and have tried different things but none are working. Can anybody suggest something that is fullproof? Also I'm being challenged with concentration and memory loss. . . ie today couldn't remember how to spell sinus. I'm hoping that these things will get better with taking fish oil. I'm very grateful that the surgery went well and I feel that I'm being looked after by God. Just needed to share some of these issues with others who have been there.
Itchy Scalp anyone
- By blessed222 · September 10, 2012 at 11:55 am · 33 replies
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- By Ann5419
- Reply 3363721
- September 10, 2012 at 1:11 pm
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My son has the same problem. Doctor gave him Gabapentin low dose 300mg. 3x a day. This is an ant-seizures medication and it has helped. Another thing his physical therapist said was take a towel and rube the area for 3-4 days then take a piece of velcro and do the same the change in texture helps to fire up the nerves. . Also, sometimes ice helps.
- By steven5
- Reply 3367342
- September 11, 2012 at 6:55 pm
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The neurosurgeon and the plastic surgeon controlled by perscription anything I put on surgical areas for some time as well as how I handled the areas. I had to wait for things to heal. It takes a while for the surgical areas to build up enough scar tissue to be less sensitive or less itchy.
- By blessed222
- Reply 3369402 · In reply to 3367342 by steven5
- September 12, 2012 at 1:34 pm
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Hi Ann
I'd be interested in the details of the rubbing of the scalp. Does he rub his scalp for 15-20 mins. at a time? Velcro seems atad harsh. How does he do that and for how long? thanks.
- By blessed222
- Reply 3369405 · In reply to 3367342 by steven5
- September 12, 2012 at 1:36 pm
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Hi Steven:
It seems like your experience is different from mine, but thanks alot for answering me.
- By Johol
- Reply 3369442
- September 12, 2012 at 1:49 pm
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I hate the itchy scalp! My surgery was on 12/10/10 and it still itches. My doc told me to rub Neosporin with pain relief. It helped a lot after the surgery. I don't have to use it now but still enjoy a good head scratch. I know it's aggrevating and people look at you like you have lice or something. As far as your memory - I imagine that you have some swelling from surgery. I found that my memory returned to near normal within 6 months (when the swelling went down). I have been doing as much as I can to work on my memory skills but know it will never be what it was before the tumor and surgery. But I had (have) a large Oligodendroglioma in the right frontal lobe. It was a grade 2 but is now a 3.
Good luck, Blessed.
- By Ann5419
- Reply 3370321
- September 12, 2012 at 8:33 pm
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You use the soft part of the velcro for just a few minutes whenever you are itchy.
- By blessed222
- Reply 3371640 · In reply to 3369442 by Johol
- September 13, 2012 at 10:40 am
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good morning johol
Yes the itchy scalp is just ohhh so aggravating. I will definitely try the Neosporin. thanks for the suggestion. As far as the memory, I'm hoping that the few courses I'm taking at the College will help with that. Unfortunately my concentration and retention is only fair but hoping in time it will improve. I hear brain gym is good. My surgeon was not very helpful with giving me any info about what to do postsurgery so I'm having to find my own answers. what memory skills are you using? Thank goodness for chatlines like this one.
- By ABTA_Jillann
- Reply 3371822
- September 13, 2012 at 11:31 am
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blessed222.
I am so glad you posted and are finding support from our members. Remember I am always here if you need help. But you are doing just great!
ABTA_Jillann
Connections Support Community Group Leader
- By DebbieMc (Inactive)
- Reply 3372135
- September 13, 2012 at 1:01 pm
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I had a craniotomy in Feb. 2012 to remove a tumour. I have had a very itchy scalp too but used baby oil on my head and it worked. Turns out mine was cradle cap like babies get and also some new hair growth.
- By blessed222
- Reply 3372382 · In reply to 3372135 by DebbieMc
- September 13, 2012 at 2:35 pm
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Hello Debbie:
Cradle cap. . . interesting. What is it and was it from the surgery? Will definitely have to try baby oil. It seems like a simple fix. thanks for the suggestion.
- By Ann5419
- Reply 3372687
- September 13, 2012 at 4:55 pm
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Two of my kids had this "cradle Cap" it is flaky, dry skin that looks like dandruff, or thick, oily, yellowish or brown scaling or crusting patches. you may want to try an oil remedy to help loosen dry flakes:
Rub a small amount of a pure, natural oil – such as almond or olive oil – on your scalp and leave it on for about 15 minutes. Then gently wash with an dry with a soft towel. I would try anything that is so simple, one never knows what will work. For my son it was velcro because his nerve endings needed to be stimulated.
- By Johol
- Reply 3372803
- September 13, 2012 at 5:32 pm
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As far as memory, I do a lot of varying things but mostly games that require you to remember things and make you move fast. I read a lot, then take a break and go through what I just read in my mind. I don't think my memory will ever be what it was, but I'm happy that it has improved as much as it has. After surgery, my hands shook and I listed to the left when I walked. So, I rolled up my sleeves and worked on improving my hand dexterity and practised walking, turning my head to the left and right, until I could walk straight. These were just repercussions of the surgery and I knew I could overcome them. Stay positive but know that it'll take more work to do some things than before.
- By DebbieMc (Inactive)
- Reply 3372979
- September 13, 2012 at 6:56 pm
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for my cradle cap I rubbed olive oil on my head and then used a fine comb on my scalp and the cradle cap flaked off! I had some from surgery and lots after radiation.
- By DebbieMc (Inactive)
- Reply 3372988
- September 13, 2012 at 6:59 pm
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Johol thanks for the memory tips! My short term memory is bad and gets worse if I'm tired. My radiation oncologist said it can get better or worse.
- By Johol
- Reply 3373309
- September 13, 2012 at 9:13 pm
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Debbie, I took it on as a job. I've always been a hard worker so this became (and still is) my job. I practise memory skills everyday. My best to you on your recovery.
Jo
- By jaypaul
- Reply 3488765
- October 25, 2012 at 3:15 pm
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Some of these symptoms you are experiencing I am too, but they are drug reactions from the various cancer meds or cacner chemo we are taking. My dermatologist suggested that I use Selsun Blue Dandruff Shampoo (selenium sulfide 1%) which works great for me. I do not suffer from dandruff problems but it has taken care of the itching problems on my scalp, so I use thsi when I shower and shampoo my hair.
John
- By blessed222
- Reply 3491328 · In reply to 3488765 by jaypaul
- October 26, 2012 at 11:41 am
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thanks John for the suggestion. glad it worked for you. I'll give it a try.
- By butterfly0
- Reply 3502199
- October 30, 2012 at 4:18 pm
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i also had meningioma surgery june 22 2012 front lobals in sinus i lost my sense of smell i am 48 years old and it is taking some getting use to never being able to smell again some memory problems some post traumatc stress and depression i am thankful to be alive the top of my head is still numb and itches around the incision i will be glad and hope the feeling comes back! i had a massive tumor and was able to go back to work 2 1/2 months after surgery pretty amazing
- By blessed222
- Reply 3522948 · In reply to 3502199 by butterfly0
- November 7, 2012 at 11:52 am
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thanks for sharing. After my surgery, I also lost my sense of smell; also am experiencing PTS (I think that is what it is). some days I'm challenged with roller coaster emotions. Some days things are okay and then wham, the emotions take over. I'm doing all the right things: exercising, therapy, yoga, being kind to myself BUT I have this tangible feeling that overwhelmes my body. It is so palitable and feels so real that I can't shake it. it comes and goes. It feels like heavyness:saddness, tireness or something. don't know what it is. perhaps its all part of post-surgery recovery. anyways I think I need to share my story in detail. perhaps that will help. thanks for listening.
- By butterfly0
- Reply 3531795
- November 10, 2012 at 11:48 am
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yes i had surgery for removal of meningioma it was in my sinus area too and i can no longer smell my incision itches and my scalp tingles still numb on very top of my head the itching is very intense at times my doctor suggested to my physical therapist for me to message my scalp gently the nerve endings are growing back together and coming back to life how are you handling not being able to smell it really bothers me at times
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