csf leak, please reply

[ellanum7]

I was in a motor vehicle accident 2 wks after discectomy and have been leaking spinal fluid for 10 wks now.  obviously i've been having horrible headaches but my main concern at this time is memory loss, short term long term u name it i'll forget it. Also having problems talking finding the right words and constantly mixing words up almost like dyslexia of the   mouth. Its making me very short tempered n frustrated especially because i can't get a straight answer to whether or not this will resolve after surgery to repair my dural tear

[Dr. A. Srivastava]

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. 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). 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.

[selmaS]

Wow, u had the bloodpatch already...I have heard some needing more than one......Did they tell u to lie flat and drink fluids?

Did u have a Brain MRI?...do u have a copy of it and the report?
I am confused as to y they would be folding over the muscle?.....I had surgery last May and my Dura was cut to allow the surgeon access to the problem area....I was sealed up using skin harvested from my scalp and glued shut with no leak....but if they had folded over the muscle I feel I would have less mobility in my neck?

I am not that far from u....I am in Allentown......

[ellanum7]

Thanks for the reply I had a blood patch 3 wks ago w/no luck. I do know i am to be stitched, glued, and then they're going to cut the muscle along spine fold it under then seal that also. after that i'll have 4 drain tubes (2under skin, 2 coming out of skin) then lots of sutures, staples. I have probably the best surgeons in philly but with the size of the tear it is the largest they ever dealt with and thats what makes me nervous because I can't seem to get a definitive answer on the memory issues. Pain and surgery suck but its for the greater good and won't be the worst thing that ever happened not being able to think and do things as before is  my biggest concern. Thanks again and best of luck with your health

[selmaS]

Hi.....Do u know if they r using s patch...many times they may use a synthetic, bovine or a cadaver patch if the tear/leak is not fixable with just stitching it closed, u may need to try the following in addition....

..... when I had a CSF leak from an epidural and was advised to lie flat for 5 days...drink plenty of water, and drink caffeine as well to help the leak close on it's own.

If this does not work, a blood patch may be the next thing the dr would suggest.

Good luck
"selma"