Spinal Headache from epidural?

[Jaime7836]

I have my daughter 2/29/08 and began having severe headaches and throbbing pain at the base of my neck just one week later on 3/7/08 I awoke from my sleep with a pain in my head so severe only relieved by standing very straight. I went to the ER and they tried Reglan, Fiorcet, Dilaudid, Caffeine. It subsided enough to discharge me; however returned Saturday afternoon 3/8/08 with avengence. I went to the PCP on Monday 3/10/08 and was given Imitrex to find no relief. I have placed a call to my OBGYN in desperation seeking relief. Could a spinal headache occur and appear 7 days after the epidural was administered?

[lrpiaz]

I had my daughter over 7 years ago and experienced an epidural puncture from a resident anesthesiologist who when he punctured the spaced both of my legs vibrated.  I asked him to stop and demanded that the doctor do it.  I continued with spinal headaches upon discharge from the hospital with my daughter and I was given 500mg of ibuprofen and a caffeine pill.  The headaches continued long after and the doctors wanted to do a blood patch which I refused for fear of them messing up again.  

So here I am 7 years later, after 3 MRIs 1 with dye testing, tilt table tests, physical therapy, xrays, 5 neurologists, 1 rheumatologist, 1 orthopedic, 1 neurophysiologist later and no DX except possible depression (which I am one of the more positive and happy people you could meet) and maybe a vasovagal issue.  

It doesn't matter what I say to the doctors they all say "oh it can't be the puncture that would of healed by now".  BUT NO ONE LISTENS....I never had this issue in my life until that day....hmmmmmm.....simple right.. can you guess the cause?

Makes me crazy.  Unfortunately they are right there is nothing and they can do nothing but the denial that it wasn't the epidural puncture does not settle well with me.

My 'spinals' continue to get worse year after year.  Some day I will hopefully find an answer, but for now I am going to try acupuncture.

[ShakinThingzUp]

Spinal headaches are relieved by lying FLAT..... they are worse when you stand or sit.

I had this in 2002 when my spinal cord was punctured during a steriod spinal epidural injection.  I was ordered to lie flat, hoping it would seal on its own.  It did not, and I was given a blood patch.

If your headache is relieved by standing straight, look for a different cause.  Hope you find some relief!!!!

God Bless!
Amy