post blood patch headache

[grannyg54]

our daughter had a lumbar puncture that resulted in a terrible headache.  The bllod patch did not work and her headache is so severe that she is hospitalized - morphine did not work.  Delotid is helping somewhat.  What is this?  The MRI showed no abnomality - no leakage.  The pain is just excruciating.  PLEASE help

[Abhijeet Deshmukh, MD]

Hello.

There are reports of severe headache after an uncomplicated lumber puncture. And there was no other cause found in such cases. The headache goes with time, analgesics and  fluid supplementation. Did she take all the precautions after the LP was done ?

Can you mention why the lumber puncture was done ?

How is her headache now ?

Regards

[grannyg54]

She had the lumbar puncture to withdraw spinal fluid to test for M.S.  
This was her third lumbar puncture but she unfortunately has had some very bad complications.  The needle site did not heal all the way and she developed a leak of the spinal fluid which caused a severe spinal headache.   After four days of misery she went in on Monday and had a blood patch.  This is where they take her own blood and inject it into the site of the lumbar puncture.  This was supposed to have provided immediate relief.  
Today she is better.  They are giving her iv caffeine and she has been cathed so that does not have to get up.
Will this last?

[grannyg54]

this was done on Dec 19

[Abhijeet Deshmukh, MD]

Hello.

Was the blood patch done on 19th ? According to some studies, the headache and other problems reduce by one thirds to one fifths by the end of one week. And further improvement continues.

Since how long is she catheterized ? Does she have other symptoms ( dizziness, visual problems, etc) ?

Regards

[Jean77]

I had a excruciating headache for four days after a lumbar pucture done on 2/5/08. I went to the emergency four days later and the doctor performed a blood patch. Immediately after the blood patch was performed the headache was very mild. Three days later, I been feeling the headache again in my left head quadrant, and I've been feeling dizzy.
Dr. prescribed Diamax but it seems that is not working. Please help !!!

[Abhijeet Deshmukh, MD]

Hi.

You should suspect a patch failure. See if you can contact the doctor soon. You can also observe if you have any swelling or pain at the site. Any fever should be reported immediately. A repeat patch may probably be needed.

Regards