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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Headaches 5 weeks after viral meningitis
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Headaches 5 weeks after viral meningitis
by eric reid, Dec 07, 2004 12:00AM
My 30 year old sister was diagnosed with viral meningitis in October via a lumber puncture. Since then even after three blood patches, she has had headaches.
After the second blood patch, She did a MRI and a Catscan. MRI showed a leak. Catscan was normal.The nuerologist asked her to rest for 10 days after the third blood patch but she has no relief. She has not been able to go to work for the last 6 weeks.
The heaches generally last about half a day. Some days in the morning, and some days in the evening. But occurrs everyday. Sometimes it is pretty severe but sometimes not. The onset of the headaches don't always happen when she is moving around. Sometimes she wakes up with one. Please help.
After the second blood patch, She did a MRI and a Catscan. MRI showed a leak. Catscan was normal.The nuerologist asked her to rest for 10 days after the third blood patch but she has no relief. She has not been able to go to work for the last 6 weeks.
The heaches generally last about half a day. Some days in the morning, and some days in the evening. But occurrs everyday. Sometimes it is pretty severe but sometimes not. The onset of the headaches don't always happen when she is moving around. Sometimes she wakes up with one. Please help.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-CS, Dec 09, 2004 12:00AM
A typical post-lumbar puncture headache is better when a patient is lying flat, and increases with sitting or standing. Based on your description, this does not appear to be the case. It is possible that this started as a post-LP headache, and is now different. Viral meningitis can cause recurrent severe headaches during the recovery phase. Also medications and changes in diet could have triggered migraine like headaches. Without speaking with your sister, examining her and reviewing imaging I cannot make a clinical diagnosis. Perhaps a second opinion with a headache specialist would be reasonable. Good luck.
