Post Op pain and numbness

[moonm]

I had a hair transplant nearly two weeks ago and am experiencing intense pain and sensitivity, both in my recipient area and in the back of the scalp, at and above the donor area. The pain is a severe tingling sensation, present at all times and even more painful to the touch. There is also some numbness too. Thought it would improve by now but it hasn't.

 

I've spoken with the doctor who indicates that is some nerve/neuro damage that should repair itself in the next week, if not he will refer me to a specialist. Anyway would welcome input from others who have experienced similar symptoms, especially 1) how long this pain/sensitivity might last, and 2) what treatments if any are available.

[stinger99]

how many grafts did you get, who was surgeon?

[Thehairupthere]

Most people have a lot of numbness in the first few weeks in the recipient area, which is normal and not much pain should be felt. The donor area can be sore for several weeks but if you're experiencing intense pain, you should see your doctor and see if there is an infection, a stitch that wasn't removed (if you already had your stitches removed). Some patients do experience intense sharp pain on top and closer to the crown as the nerves in your head all come together at that area. This can last for a few weeks, but should subside by not touching it, and taking some pain killers.

[moonm]

Thanks for the reply. I'm experiencing the latter, the intense sharp pain, and given the accompanying numbness I suppose there's been some nerve damage. The pain is intense enough that it hurts when my head touches anything, even my pillow, making sleep difficult. Is that normal, and do patients with similar experiences always see the nerves regrow?

 

This Thursday will be 2 weeks since my surgery. Should I go see a neurologist now or wait awhile?

[multiplier]

With my first procedure, I had some numb spots for over 6 months before they slowly subsided. Pain in varying degrees for at least 3 weeks.

[moonm]

OK, thanks. Were you given any prescriptions or other treatment to deal with that pain?

[multiplier]

Alternated between Advil and Vicodin mostly, depending on the pain.

[RCWest]

I would become numb on top even though I didn't have any work done there. It took 6 months to recover, but recovered fine every time. Numbness is quite common and should sort itself out.

[moonm]

Did you also have pain along with the numbness? This pain is darn near unbearable. How did you deal with it or did it just go away on its own?

[moonm]

Was your pain related to the numbness, i.e., nerve-damage related pain? I had two prior transplants where the pain was gone in 2-3 days, no subsequent numbness or pain. But this is different, severe pain and numbness together, extending all the way from the donor line up to the crown of my head. My head hurts when it rests on the pillow, it's that intense. Clearly something happened to my nerves during surgery. Did you experience this type of pain, and if so, what to do?

[multiplier]

I'm currently on Day 8 of my surgery with Shapiro. It still hurts to sleep and there are two patches near my donor which are still numb, but none of this is concerning to me right now, all seems pretty normal. Again with my previous surgery, it lasted for months, but it went away so gradually, I almost didn't notice. That's the way healing is sometimes, it hurts and it hurts.... and one day you realize it's gone.

[moonm]

Ok, not to press the matter, but if I hear you right it's not just the numbness that lasted for awhile, but the pain too? Is that right? I'd feel better if I knew my experience isn't entirely unusual.

[multiplier]

Maybe someone else can chime in because my previous surgery was 11 years ago I do remember there being some pain and tenderness for longer than the doctor had said. It probably was tender and painful to touch for close to a month, but must've gradually gone away. I assume your staples/sutures are already out? Did the pain get better?

[moonm]

I had the surgery 2 weeks ago today, and the sutures came out on Monday. Regrettably the pain has not gotten any better. It is just like your experience, very tender and painful to the touch. As I mentioned earlier this is a new experience, as my prior transplants did not involved this kind of pain. Anyway the past couple days I've been concerned that this condition is permanent! I won't make it if it is. But if you say it will go away in the next month then I feel better about the situation. I guess I'll just tough it out.

[moonm]

Hey guys, my internist prescribed Gabapentin for the treatment of the neuropathic pain. As he explained it to me Gabapentin was originally developed to treat seizures but is now also used for nerve-related pain. Dosages range from 100mg - 600mg ... my doctor prescribed a 300mg dosage, which I can take up to 3x a day. He expects this will reduce the pain by about 50%. He also said the pain will eventually go away, no way to tell when but hopefully sometime in the next few months. Anyway I'm sharing this in case anyone else ends up in my position someday. A bummer but I'll deal with it.

[multiplier]

Good to hear, buddy. I'm 2 weeks out and the pain is definitely gone, but the donor is "tender" and slightly numb in places. I'm expecting this to last awhile longer, but no worries.

 

Once sutures are out, how have you guys dealt with the scabbiness and skin crustiness that are around the scar? Do you scratch it off, or put aloe on it? It's definitely making the scar more visible, especially since a thin line was shaved above and below it. I don't expect that hair to grow back for awhile.

[moonm]

Check with your doc but I don't think you want to pull at the scabs ... it'll heal better if you don't.