Headache and pressure in ears

[mjpis]

Four years ago I had spinal anesthesia for surgery after my son was born.  I ended up with a severe spinal headache the next day.  Two days later I had to go back in for a blood patch which helped.  On and off over the past four years I have gotten migraine-like headaches and have an intense feeling of pressure and decreased hearing in both of my ears.  Could this be a long term effect of having the spinal fluid leak and what can I do to manage it?

[Dr Santos]

Hi,
How are you? Were you able to have imaging studies such as MRI or CT scan? This could also be due to Intracranial hypotension which is caused by the leakage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF),  also presents with severe headache when upright, which is relieved when lying flat, nausea, vomiting, double vision and difficulty with concentration. MRI may help identify the site of any spinal CSF leak. Discuss this with your doctor for proper evaluation. A referral to an ENT may also help rule out ear issues. Take care and do keep us posted.

[horselip]

Hi-
It could be that your spinal leak was never fully repaired. So you might be having spinal headaches still. You could see an otologist, or a very good ENT. If you have hearing loss, it could be due to an intermittant csf leak which is in your middle ear. The doctor could evaluate this and also take a  sample to see if it has beta transferrin in it. If they find that you are still leaking maybe it can be repaired? It seems worth ruling out given your history. I am not a doctor tho just a leaker.
Horselip