Day 2 After Surgery - Headache from H*ll

During the first 24 hours after surgery, I was convinced I was dying. After getting a few doses of GasX (the kind that melt on your tongue) I began to accept that I was indeed going to make it after all. Today is day 2 after surgery and I have a persistent headache that just refuses to let go. I've taken prescription meds (that my surgeon approved), Tylenol and now I've just sent my mother to Wal-Mart for an ice pack. Any other suggestions? My stomach is slightly stiff and still somewhat tender, but the headache is my primary complaint at the moment. The broth, jello and popsicles aren't doing anything for the headache and I'm getting plenty of fluids, so dehydration isn't on my list of suspects (especially considering the headache started long before I was taken off of the IV drip). Help!

 Could you be having withdrawals? Caffeine perhaps? Sorry that's all I've got.

I hadn't even considered caffeine     I didn't think I got into that much caffeine, but it's definitely something to consider.

 possibly the narcotics they put in your IV? I know thats what happened to me and no meds helped that headache but time! It lasted 3 days! Hang in there!!

 I am simply amazed at the amount of stuff they put in my IV! Three days huh? Oh that stinks! We get on the flight to go back home Saturday morning - praying it subsides before then!  

In the meantime, I'm doing the best I can to 

 praying for that as well.. You'll be ok, this too shall pass...

Ice pack for the hurting head work wonders. I've considered inventing a helmet made of gel ice packs.

I agree it might be caffeine. I also found carb withdrawal to give me a 2 day headache. And medication wouldn't help. That was the day before surgery for me. It could also be a tension headache. Sleeping in a strange bed with strange pillow, and you're probably a little stressed.
Hang in there!

I have suffered migraines for years. But nothing compared to the migraine I got with my caffeine & carb withdrawals before and after surgery. After I was discharged from the hospital I had a migraine too. I blame it on all the narcotics and the crappy pillows. My neck was sore over week. Also, I asked my surgeon and he told me that the way they had to lay me on the steel OR table, my head was tilted back the entire time. That left a tight muscle in my neck. That right there would be enough to make me have a 4 day long migraine!! I used heating pad/ice pack/ muscle cream for my neck and got my kids to rub it. But the migraines were more pain than my  tummy that had just been cut open!!! Hope you feel better soon.

I hope you feel better real soon.  Headaches suck. 

This is what I so love about this site. The feedback helps so much to let you know you aren't alone. My mom is here with me and she just went through this roughly two months ago, but she didn't get the headache and she wasn't real sure how to help me. Neither one of us even considered the ideas brought up tonight. Yes, I AM stressed and my head WAS tilted back pretty far on the table. I can totally see where a carb and/or caffeine withdrawal might be causing this as well. My doctor just left and had me take a double dose of my pain meds to help both to relax and release the tension he feels is causing the headache. I guess we'll see. Right now, I think I'm still in shock that I actually went through with it!

Thank you so much for your ideas and support! It means more than you know!