Have you heard of a blood patch not work

[ShoreMom]

I had the lp on  wed. the bp yesterday and i still have a headache

[Janette2836]

I have heard of it not taking before.  They might not have patched the hole all the way.  My doctor told me that he has seen the LP headache last for up to 6 weeks before so if it were me - I would call the doctor again.

Take care.  I hope that laying flat makes the headache better!

Janette

[sllowe]

Hi there - just got your note.

I'm sorry I don't have experience w/the patch.  

I recall someone here having to get more than one, but can't remember who.

The headache subsides when you lay right?  It absolutely should with a leak.  

[ShoreMom]

the headache gets better but not gone when i lay down

[sllowe]

When you stand, is it like your head, jaw, and neck are in a vice?

But then just a dull headache when you lay?  Or, is the headache a slightly less variation of when you stand?

Just trying to get a feel for what type of headache you are experiencing when you lay.  One that is maybe triggered by laying down so much since Wed. Which I hope is the case.  

A call is in order, but being the weekend, you'll not have much luck likely w/the Dr. Can you take anti inflammatories - like advil?  

[ShoreMom]

yes to the vice grip when standing, alongwith blurred vision and dull pressure when down blood patch dr called and she said maybe the patch was too low,as no record of exactly where lp was done. she siad to rest and wait till monday.  neuro still hasnt called back i wanted to get their take on it  thanks

[sllowe]

So glad you called the Neuro.  Dull pressure is to be expected, but blurred vision is not good.  You should really be seen by someone.

[ShoreMom]

Hello and i am happy to say the vice grip has reduced greatly and i am feeling better.  I now only have a dull ache most of the time and for the brief time I am vertical i dont feel the vice grip.  Hopefully the puncture is sealed.  I will remain horizontal for as long as it takes.  
i am not happy to say that the Neuro has not called back with the 3 messages I left today.  I am surprised, but the day isnt over yet, i still have hope they will call.  Thanks for your support.. :)
Rosanne

[Quixotic1]

Yes, sometimes the Blood Patch does not create a proper clot over the leaking hole, or it does cover it but only partially.  Sometimes (rarely) it takes a second patch.  But, the patch almost almost makes things better.  the other thing the patch does is create some inflammation that acts to seal/heal the hole over the next day or so.

You'll probably get progressively better.  Important not to strain or lift anything heavy also.  That raises the pressure within the CSF and can undo the rest and the patch.

I had a hard time after a botched (more than 10 tries) attempt at spinal anesthesia back in 1983.  The blood patch worked a little, and I slowly got over the headache, but it took about 6 weeks.  That was a different story.  The anesthesiologist was fired over it.

Quix

[sunshine8]

Yep....I had to have two patches after my LP in the fall of 2007. My headache didn't start until 24 hours after the LP, but I didn't follow Dr's order perfectly either. I did not have a headache and so after staying in bed for 24 hours, I got up and started doing some housework. Bad idea! I had a blood patch a day later, but had terrible nerve pain when they injected the blood. It immediately helped, but over the next few hours my headache came back. 2 days later, they did a second patch and it immediately helped as well.  About 8 hours after the second, the headache came back, but was slightly less severe. Essentially, I had to wait it out which took about 5 days.  

My advice is to take it very easy, even if you are feeling better.  The doctors were convinced that each time I probably did too much too soon since I was feeling better.  Also, during the second patch, the Doctor thought maybe a reason it wasn't working had something to do with all the nerve pain I was having.

By all means if the headache gets worse again, call them on Monday and have a second one done.

-Amy

[ShoreMom]

Well, here I am one week after the LP and I still have some kind of headache.  I did have an unusal one-sided headache when i went into the LP last week and i think that one has not left me, but it is difficult to be certain.

I have improved greatly from the weekend and have tried two different meds. I see the Neuro tomorrow for the LP results and will further discuss the persistant headache with him.

Thanks for all the great input and support.  

[HVAC]

I hope you feel better soon.
I spent two days flat out with back pain which made me cry and a headache whenever I sat up. Now I have head and neck pain mostly on the left and have dots in front of my eyes which get better when I lie down. The Neuro Surgeon did not care. My PCP gave me percocept today. Before the procedure I have had a migraine everyday and can't take topamax or beta blockers and my insurance limits my migraine medication so I am used to the pain. I won't sign up for this again. I have to wait three weeks for the results.

I took my old Dalmatian to the Veterinarian because his discs were bothering him yesterday. I got an appointment right away, the Vet put him on pain medication and said call if these don't work and will put him on something stronger. She called the next day with test results. I worked for years in animal medicine and wish I could go to a Vet. I have to pay way more money to get less care and be insulted.
                                          Alex

[toadaleh]

I hope you are starting to feel better.
The blood patch acts to stop the leak of CFS, but your body still has to replace that which you have lost.  We make CFS relatively slowly (compared to blood, where we can loose quite a quantity without serious side effects, like when you donate blood, and we make up the short fall pretty quick) so you will need to be patient.
You have to remember that all the tiny valves that are trying to keep everything bathed in CSF are struggling, and this is part of what causes the pain.

If it helps, I had some blurring when the pain was at its worst, but it cleared up as the headache cleared up.

[ShoreMom]

I am happy to report the the headache is 95% improved and I think all that is left is a wonderful head cold/congestion that I have.   I'll take a head cold over an LP headache anyday!

The bloodpatch did work, I guess.  The positional headache did diminish after a couple of days, but a constant headache persisted for several days.  

Thanks for all your support and help. :)

[Janette2836]

YEAH!  So glad you are feeling better - that LP headache is not fun.
Take care & thanks for letting us know.
Janette