blood patch for spontaneous CSF leak

For the past 20 days, I have been suffering with a postural headache of unknown origin. My symptoms include: extremely loud bilateral tinnitus, head pressure both sitting and standing, gradually recurring headache when sitting or standing that leads to vomiting, sensitivity to sound and sometimes light, and motion sickness in the car. I had a non-contrast MRI, which apparently looked "normal." Still, the neurologist said my symptoms were consistent with a leak. I have had NO lumbar puncture or any trauma whatsoever. I literally just developed this headache. I have no history of headaches or migraines. I had viral meningitis approx 13 years ago, for which I was hospitalized. Yesterday afternoon, after unsuccessfully trying 48 hours of endomethacin, and vomiting again, I was given an epidural blood patch. The patch was "blind;" in other words, they are not certain of the location of the leak. The hope was that the injection would find it, without further treatment or investigation. About 10 hours after the epidural, I awoke in my bed with severe abdominal cramping and diarrhea. Throughout the course of today, I've grown very weak. My tinnitus is horrible, I feel like my headache is trying to "break through," and I have had a low grade fever all day. It's impossible for me to know if the blood patch has taken, though I'm guessing it has not. The neurologist believes I have been incredibly unlucky to contract a viral gastroenteritis. He believes this is not related. But if the patch doesn't take, I will need to undergo additional tests to attempt to locate the leak. My life has been completely derailed as a result of this condition. I can't go to work, I can't drive, and now I can barely get to the bathroom. It's honestly scaring the heck out of me. One HUGE question I have is this: Should I have had immediate relief of the tinnitus, following the blood patch? I didn't develop a headache last night. This has only been today that it feels as though it is returning. I just sneezed, for example, and it was excruciating. It subsided after a minute or so. Any thoughts out there? I'm really open to ANY suggestions, as I await my PCP to return my call. I fear I will need to repeat this procedure.

[Spaceystac]

I am not a doctor but I think you should be checked for Chairi malformation. Those symptoms sound like a csf blockage. They usually don't tell patients about incidental findings, try to obtain copies of you radiology reports. Or you should try to get a second opinion on your MRI.  There are people here on the Chairi malformation and Syringomyelia forum that have also had csf leaks and blood patches. I wish I know more about the blood patch for you, hopefully someone on here can help you with this and I feel like you will have better luck on that forum. Hope this helps!  Stacey