Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
4760166 tn?1398357313

Possibly rejecting dura patch?

I landed in the ER yesterday. My headache has gotten so much worse.  The hospital my neurosurgeon uses (memorial hermann in the Texas medical center) has a branch closer to where I live in the woodlands, tx. So I went there. They first try the migraine cocktail (nausea med + Benadryl) and nothing. CT scan is good. Blood work is pretty good. There is a type of white blood cell that is elevated and the neurosurgeon there said it could be from inflammation. They try to contact whoever is on call for my NS. no luck. But ALL neurosurgeons through memorial hermann work under my neurosurgeon. He is chair. So the one in the ER wanted to transfer me to the medical center. Because that hospital knows my case better. Or we can try a higher dose of steroids and pain meds. I opt for the latter. It's worth a try. Over an ambulance ride.

The kicker is. About 10 minutes after my IV meds are given. The ER doctor comes in and says I can go home because I feel better. I leave the hospital crying because I know I can't control this pain at home. I had two missed calls on the way back home. No caller ID. then my mom gets one (she took me to the ER and is one of my emergency contacts). It was the neurosurgeon. Saying I should have never been discharged. We were almost home.

I haven't left my bed all day. It hurts to move my head. I also am vomiting without really being nauseous. I'm opting to not eat because the vomiting hurts my head so bad.

Has anyone rejected a dura patch? My first one in 2013 was my own tissue. This last one I found out was bovine pericardium.

My neurosurgeon doesn't even have clinic again until the 5th.  I'm at a loss. I don't know how I will make it until then.
6 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
4760166 tn?1398357313
I shouldn't have just assumed he would use my own tissue like he did the first time.  Maybe the higher dose of steroids will help. I will see him on the 5th. Thats all they would do in the hospital. Steroids and pain meds and tell me to follow up with Dr Kim. I just hope he doesn't brush this off as normal.
Helpful - 0
620923 tn?1452915648
COMMUNITY LEADER

  Rejection is one of the main post op issues we can have.....this is why I stress ruling out EDS as it can be a reason we reject a dura patch made of anything but our own tissue.

We have had quite a few that had a rejection of this sort....
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
If I have surgery coming up and will need a dura patch make sure I ask that is made from my own tissue? This will help against rejection?? Sorry to ask all this is new to me but I know my neurosurgeon mentioned a patch
1306714 tn?1327257080
I know exactly how you feel.  I had to have 3 surgeries due to rejection and the only thing that worked for me was the Dr. using Muslin for the lining and it excepted.  It was a rough road and I know how you are feeling.  The only suggestions I can give you that helped me enormously is a heavy heat sack that I warm up and go into my dark bedroom and lay it on top of the head.  For some reason it puts pressure yet relief on the brain.  Also elevate your head so your not laying flat.  If you have a blockage the only place the fluid will go is in your surgery spot.  Please try to relax even though I know it isn't easy when your getting sick.  Hope this helps you a bit and gives you relief until you can see your Dr. again.  Best of luck.
Linda :)
Helpful - 0
4760166 tn?1398357313
My neurosurgeon didn't call. It was the ER attending neurosurgeon that called and told me I shouldn't be discharged. We should have turned around. But just riding in the car hurts. All I wanted was to lay down. I can take steroids at home. One of dr kims residents did finally call the next morning and told me to go back to steroids twice a day.  I'm a wuss about asking for pain meds. So just ice and not moving as much as possible.

I am keeping some fluids down. I'm trying to make them count (Gatorade) I'm losing about a pound a day. The only thing I can't so at home is give myself fluids. I have one of his nurses cell phone numbers. I will text and ask her if anyone will be in clinic next week. Or what I should do next.

My neurosurgeon removed the rest of my cerebral tonsils (there was just a sliver left since he removed a lot back in 2013) and put a bovine patch. I have a pseudomeningocele and communicating hydrocephalus for which I'm shunted.  My last LP (earlier this month) showed elevated protein which is inflammation -- that's when they started me on steroids. And with my blood work pointing to inflammation too. I don't know. Is that a sign of rejection? Or just sterile meningitis?

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am so sorry to hear you are going through all of this.  If your neurosurgeon called and said you shouldn't have been discharged I'm curious as to why he didn't have you come back and be readmitted?

I have read stories about people who rejected the synthetic patch and needed a second surgery to replace the patch with one harvested from their own tissue.

Are you able to drink water without vomiting?  If you feel this bad you can't wait till the 5th to see your doctor.

Helpful - 0
562511 tn?1285904160
You are having a difficult time. Will the neurosurgeon admit you to the hospital since he thought you shouldn't have been discharged?  Sorry, I have little knowledge on the dura patch.  What is your diagnosis?
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Chiari Malformation Community

Top Neurology Answerers
620923 tn?1452915648
Allentown, PA
987762 tn?1671273328
Australia
1756321 tn?1547095325
Queensland, Australia
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
In this special Missouri Medicine report, doctors examine advances in diagnosis and treatment of this devastating and costly neurodegenerative disease.
Here are 12 simple – and fun! – ways to boost your brainpower.
Discover some of the causes of dizziness and how to treat it.
Discover the common causes of headaches and how to treat headache pain.
Two of the largest studies on Alzheimer’s have yielded new clues about the disease