Long term pain/headaches after HT

[sidbtz]

Hi guys,

 

I booked my HT with a coalition doc in a little over a week. However, I am having cold feet after just having found a few posts on here and elsewhere about some people experiencing chronic pain/headaches for weeks/months or years in the donor area after having an HT. Some had to use antidepressants and strong pain meds like Lyrica for long periods of time/indefinitely. Many of the cases I found here seem to be after FUE but I think it’s possible with FUT as well.

 

Examples on here:

http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/eve/142085-terrible-pain-donor-area-after-fue-procedure-11.html

 

http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/eve/185340-donor-pain-continues-over-2-years-after-fue.html

 

http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/eve/180284-continued-donor-area-pain-11-months-post-fue-any-advice.html

 

http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/eve/142085-terrible-pain-donor-area-after-fue-procedure.htm

 

http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/eve/163310-need-help-post-op-pain-nerve-damage.html

 

http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/eve/183963-i-need-help-i-cannot-take-anymore.html

 

Not sure if I am allowed to post these but these are from other sites:

 

https://www.realself.com/question/dubai-ae-chronicle-pain-15-months-after-hair-transplant

 

Pain after Hair Transplant - Neurology - MedHelp

 

https://www.realself.com/question/indian-ak-nerve-pain-donor-area-after-hair-transplant-after-nerve-pain

 

I read that this is due to Occipital neuralgia/neuopathic pain, where the occipital nerve in the donor area is cut and or damaged and doesn’t heal properly following FUT/FUE. I have also read that this may be caused by trauma to the occipital nerve during the administration of anesthesia.

 

Has anyone on here had FUT and experienced pain or headaches that lasted months/years/continue to experience it?

 

It seems like the risk is very low judging by the number of cases here/online but I don’t think there are any stats out there on this. I’ve had a lot of bad luck in the past with other medical procedures, so I know it’s possible to be a rare/exceptional case. I know going to a reputable doc reduces some risk but Is this just a risk of surgery I need to take? Am I blowing it out of proportion? If the risk is there, anything is possible right?

 

Thanks in advance,

 

Sid

[sidbtz]

Thanks Spex. Yes, I hear you. It seems like it's a real risk, although it's quite rare.