I have a headache after aneurysm treatment: what changes should I report?
After aneurysm treatment, what changes in your headache should you report to your care team, when to call 911, and how to describe what you’re feeling.
By Dr. Martin Roberto Casas MartínezSep 26, 20266 min read
In this article
- When is it an emergency and should I call 911?
- Is a headache expected after treatment?
- What changes should I report to my treating team?
- How should I describe my headache to the care team?
- How do I compare what I’m feeling with my discharge instructions?
- Frequently asked questions
- What should you ask the treating team?
- References
Summary: After treatment for a brain aneurysm, tell your care team about a headache that worsens, changes in character, or comes with nausea, vomiting, neck stiffness, or changes in vision, behavior, or balance. If the pain is sudden and very severe, or you develop weakness, trouble speaking, confusion, a seizure, or fainting, call 911.
Having a headache after aneurysm treatment raises a reasonable question: Is it part of recovery, or a warning sign? Knowing which changes to report, and when not to wait, helps patients and caregivers act in time. Your treating team should decide whether the pain is expected; your role is to observe, write it down, and let them know.
When is it an emergency and should I call 911?
Call 911 if your headache comes on suddenly and is severe or different from any other headache, or if it comes with weakness, trouble speaking or understanding, vision loss, confusion, a seizure, or fainting.
- •An unusual or very severe headache that starts suddenly.
- •Weakness, numbness, or drooping on one side of the face or body.
- •Sudden inability to speak, understand what is being said, see, walk, or move.
- •Sudden confusion, fainting, or difficulty waking up.
- •Seizure (involuntary jerking of the body).
- •High fever with headache and neck stiffness.
Do not drive, wait for your next appointment, or take medication on your own while waiting for help. If you are unsure whether to call the office or 911, choose 911.
Is a headache expected after treatment?
It can be in some cases, depending on the type of treatment and whether the aneurysm bled. So don’t decide on your own whether your pain is “normal.” That assessment should be made by your treating team.
MedlinePlus notes that when an aneurysm has bled, headaches may continue for some time and are common. RadiologyInfo indicates that after embolization of a ruptured aneurysm, they may last from seven days to six months. These facts do not apply to everyone: an unruptured aneurysm treated electively may have a different course.
Two useful terms: the clipping places a clip at the base of the aneurysm through open surgery; the embolization fills it from the inside with metal coils delivered through a catheter.
What changes should I report to my treating team?
Promptly tell your surgeon or care team about a severe or worsening headache, especially with dizziness, and any new symptoms that come with it, even if they do not seem serious to you. These are reasons to contact them:
- •Nausea, vomiting, or neck stiffness.
- •Eye pain, double vision, or blurred vision.
- •Difficulty thinking or concentrating, trouble noticing what is happening around you, or changes in behavior.
- •Loss of balance or coordination.
- •At the incision or in the groin: bleeding that does not stop with pressure, redness, or drainage; fever above 38.3 °C or chills.
If any of these symptoms appear suddenly or occur along with a warning sign in the previous section, call 911. New problems speaking, weakness, or numbness on one side of the body are an emergency—not a reason to call the office.
How should I describe my headache to the care team?
Tell them when it started, whether it came on gradually or suddenly, what it feels like, how severe it is, and whether it has changed compared with the first few days. This information helps the team decide whether you need an assessment soon.
- •Onset: date, time, and how it began.
- •Type and location: sharp, pressure-like, on one side, or across your whole head.
- •Severity: from 0 to 10, and whether it interferes with sleeping or eating.
- •Progression: the same, better, or worse than when you left the hospital, and what symptoms accompany it.
Also write down which medications you take and when, without changing doses or adding pain relievers on your own.
How do I compare what I’m feeling with my discharge instructions?
Your discharge instructions are the reference for your case: they describe which discomforts to expect, which medications you can take, and when your follow-up appointments are. If your pain doesn’t match what’s described, or you don’t remember the instructions, call your care team.
Those instructions vary depending on the treatment you received, whether there was bleeding, and your overall health. Imaging follow-up is also part of your care: MedlinePlus explains that after an embolization, imaging of the brain’s blood vessels and periodic checkups are usually requested because the treated aneurysm can grow again. Attend these appointments even if you feel well, and bring your pain log.
Frequently asked questions
Can I take a pain reliever on my own for a headache?
Not without checking with your care team. Some over-the-counter medications, such as acetylsalicylic acid or ibuprofen, affect blood clotting, and your care team should tell you what is safe in your case. Ask before you leave the hospital and follow their instructions.
What should I do if I get a headache months after treatment?
Tell your care team even if some time has passed, especially if it’s different from usual or comes with other symptoms. If it starts suddenly and is very severe, or occurs with weakness or difficulty speaking, call 911.
Can a caregiver call the care team on the patient’s behalf?
Yes, and it’s often a good idea: caregivers are often the first to notice changes in behavior, memory, or language. When you call, have the name of the procedure, the discharge date, and your symptom log on hand.
What should you ask the treating team?
If you have any sign of an emergency, call 911 first. For discharge and follow-up appointments, bring your pain log and ask:
- •What kind of headache is expected in my case, and for how long?
- •Which pain relievers can I take, and which should I avoid while I recover?
- •What number should I call if the pain changes, and when is my next follow-up imaging study?
For non-urgent questions or to request an individual assessment, you can contact the office.
Informational notice: This content is for informational purposes and does not replace a medical consultation or constitute a diagnosis.
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