Hi Stixx,

I'm sorry you are getting more Migraines now. You've mentioned a key factor; having Migraines when you were a child. Here's the thing - Migraine is a genetic neurological disease caused by overexcited neurons in our brains and genetics. Certain things like foods, smells, dehydration, skipping meals, poor sleep hygiene and changes in the barometric pressure can trigger a Migraine attack. Trigger identification and management is a vital component of managing Migraine disease. One of the best tools for identifying triggers is a good Migraine diary. You can download a free diary workbook from our article Your Migraine and Headache Diary. For information on food triggers and a workbook on this, see Managing Migraine - Migraine Trigger Foods.

Someone with Migraine disease, who then goes on to have a brain injury or trauma (and I would think invasive surgery like you had would be a trauma to the brain) may have more problems with Migraines after the injury. I know I certainly do after my traumatic brain injury 16 years ago. And we do know it takes people longer to recover from a traumatic brain injury if they have Migraine disease.

So while the brain trauma is not the "reason" or cause for increased Migraines, it may play a role in triggering more attacks. One last thing, if your doctor isn't able to help you, it may well be time to consult a Migraine and headache specialist. It's important to note that neurologists aren't necessarily Migraine and headache specialists. Take a look at the article Migraine and Headache Specialists - What's So Special? If you need help finding a Migraine specialist, check our listing of Patient Recommended Migraine and Headache Specialists.

Good luck

Nancy