CSF leak fixed still have trouble

[mrsfire]

I have thus far been unable to get an answer to this question. I underwent Microvascular Decompression in May 15, 2009 to treat Trigeminal Neuralgia. After the surgery I suffered a CSF leak for 10 days (I believe it was caused by the shoving of my head into the "holder" for the post-op CT scan..just a guess though). I recieved a blood patch to treat the leak on May 26, 2009. The Trigeminal shocks have pretty well stopped, however, when I cough, sneeze, jump, run or go on a bumpy car ride it feels like my brain is slamming against my skull. I also get headaches now that feel almost as if my head is a pressure cooker about to explode. I also recently made the mistake of riding an amusing park ride (after much proding from my daughter) and it felt as though my brain was being pushed down because of the G-force. I want to know is this normal. I am worried that I am going to give myself brain damage from something as simple as a sneeze or a cough. Please, please help me. I have a 6 year old counting on me and I start nursing school in 2 weeks. If this is normal and I need to learn to live with it I will, I just want to make sure that there isn't something further wrong "up there". Thank you for your help!!

[mrsfire]

I thank you so much for your response! I have spent quite a bit of time trying to figure out why this wasn't better and have been shot down by most medical professionals when I ask for help with this, I truely appreciate you taking the time to read my post and respond to my problem. The world needs more doctors like you!! This gives me a place to start having my primary care doctor check and I appreciate you!

[Dr. A. Srivastava]

Hi,

Thank you for your question. CSF leak or spinal headache usually resolves within few days or week as many of the causes of leak go away on their own after a few days. Complete bed rest or blood patches for several days are usually recommended. Therefore, I do not foresee your continuous headache even after three years is due to CSF leak. Other possibilities like migrainous, cluster and tension type headache that may occur after an injury and need to be evaluated thoroughly with the help of a neurologist here. Migraine like headache can be throbbing, one sided of face & head and preceded by aura (starts with blurred vision). Cluster headache may appear as burning, explosive in nature and tear appears from eyes. Therefore, it will be best to consult a neurologist to find out the nature of headache in order to start the appropriate treatment. Hope this helps.