Different Headache after Blood Patch

I had a myelogram several weeks ago to diagnose cervical disc disease and myelopathy.  3 days after the myelogram,  I developed a spinal heachache/CSF leak that was completely relieved by an epidural blood patch on day 5.  About a week after the blood patch, I developed a severe throbbing heachache in the left top side of my head, in one spot, much different than a spinal headache as it doesn't go away when I lay down.  The doctor put me on oral steroids (Prednisone) for 5 days.  The headache lessened on the steroid, if not went away completely at times.  Now I have finished the steroid and the heachache is back.  Could this be a side effect of the CSF leak and just takes times or could this be a complication of the CSF leak/Epidural bloood patch?  The fact that the steroids lessened the headache makes me think that there is some swelling that was relieved and is now back.  

[Quixotic1]

I find it a little concerning that the headache is different now.  That argues somewhat against the headache being from a failed blood patch (and thus, acontinuing CSF leak).  I would let your Dr. know and request a more complete evaluation.  I just wrote an answer to another forum post with a similar question.  You had a myelogram for some diagnostic reason, there must be some underlying neuro issue, This complicates the picture.

Go back to the forum and read what I wrote to "babyzone" today.  When a patient does not react as predicted, I always thought it was time to be extra cautious (a trait for which my colleague were always kidding me).  Okay call me a alarmist.

I don't think an MRI of your head (or even a CT) would be inappropriate.

Quix

[grannyg54]

our daughter had a blood patch that did not work - in fact sent her back into the hospital with pain so severe that they cannot get it under control.  Is this normal?

[marushka]

i had a ct myelogram for both cervical and lumbar spine
i am interested to know if one does not have the usual
side effects, like the headaches - what does this mean?
and second, since i react to iodine, although i was pre
medicated with prednisone and benedryl, when i came
home, i had developed hives on the face, hands -
all my doctor told me was to continue with benedryl -
is this enough or do i need further medical help
thx

[Joface]

I'm not quix, but I can at least answer your question about NOT having the spinal headache after a myelogram.  This is the "expected" response.....if you get a spinal headache, it is likely due to a spinal fluid "leak" developing.  If you did not get a headache, that is a "good" thing!  

As for the hives, I also react to IV dye, so took prednisone and benedryl....however, when I went for the CT myelogram and they went over my medications with me, they discovered that I also take Flexeril, which can cause a bad reaction. The bottom line was that although I was ready to be wheeled into the room where the procedure would be done, they made me get up, go home and stay off Flexeril for 3 days AND take another dose of Prednisone before I could return to have the exam.  Perhaps you take a medication which you inadvertently forgot to tell the healthcare team about and that caused your reaction?  That might not be the case, but I may have reacted too, if they hadn't noticed I take this particular drug, Flexeril, on a regular basis.  Good luck! Jo

[rhonda1090]

I am a 39 year old female that had a cervical myelogram done 4 days ago. I was under the impression that I should be back to work in a day or so, but the continued dizziness, extreme fatigue and pain at the site are keeping me down.  I did get the spinal headache and after being up for several hours four days later get hit with that and dizziness again. I have felt maybe I am taking it too hard but I can see by reading these comments that these are side effect perhaps I was not warned about. How long can this continue?
Thanks
Rhonda

[bells19]

i had a spinal tap last wednesday. it failed and i needed a blood patch. i was put on pain meds and later got sick from them and spent one of the next nights throwing up all night. i wound up in the er again because the blood patch dislodged when i vomited. it has been a week since the last blood patch. is it normal for me to still be getting headaches so strong i get dizzy and extremely nauseated?? i can go for 2 hours before i completely crash again. its getting in the way of my everyday routine.

[smeek1031]

I had a spinal tap done at the start of June and it is now the end of the month and still have not fully recovered. I then had a blood patch that did not hold all the way. I have talked to several doctors, neuros, and chiros and they all say the same thing. Rest, and drink lots of fluids. If you do not choose to go in and have surgery, the tissue is a living organism and will repair itself with time. 4 weeks later I am still not working and still having the headaches but they are not nearly what they were. I am going to wait it out vs. having any type of patch surgery. I am making progress slowly and can now atleast stand up to make myself lunch!

[mina256]

I am one month into my spinal headache and am wondering if yo are well and how long it took for you to heal. This is torture!