Different Headache after Blood Patch

[Gretchen111]

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