nerve block effets

I had  shoulder surgery on 09/09/10 for a rotator cuff tear and a posterior tear. A nerve block was given which caused an unbelievable pain in my head. I have never felt pain that intense before. They said it would pass, which it did while I was knocked out, but once I regained conciousness the pain was back.  I have had a horrible headache ever since and it does not seem to be gettint any better.  I have put a call into the Dr. but noy heard back yet.

[susan122]

GO TO ER and tell them you think you have a leak from your epidural.  
They may be able to fix it with something called a blood patch.  
Basically, to do an epidural, they have to puncture thru the membrane that protects the spinal cord.  The cord is surrounded by CSF (cerebro-spinal fluid).  
When the needle is removed-  your body is supposed to make kind of a scab internally to plug up the little puncture hole.   Sometimes it doesn't and the leaking fluid causes a gradually worsening headache.  It's usually worse standing and sitting and "best" lying down.  It gets worse every day and feels like a combo of a monster biting the back of your neck and like your head is going to explode from pounding.  
To do a blood patch, they draw out some blood from your arm
Im not sure if they spin it in a centrafuge (misspelled word) to get the blood cells to clump together.  Then then inject it back into the epidural space (like you're getting another epidural)   This blood-cell mix almost always will clot readily and form a scab over any puncture hole (including the new one they make).   Even tho it may seem scary, it's like the only cure..    
Go to the doctor!!!