Question for doctors please:)

[Maxmama77]

Dear Drs,
I am having some major issues and don't know where to turn. First, I had my 2nd baby 5 weeks ago. I had an epidural, which was bruised and the dr appeared to be a student, with another phys coaching her.  

Well, almost two weeks ago, I woke up with a headache. This headache started on my left side of the head, then gravitated to the other sides and primarily in the front. It was kind of heavy for me, but not horrible. I am not a headache person unless if I am hungry, etc... so wasn't sure if it was blood sugar. Well, I had some more trouble later in the day, but it was kind of light. I did feel dizzy though, and that didn't seem normal for me.

The next day, I had some more morning headaches, ( I believe one that was in my sleep) and then some strange visual issues. I thought I saw some big blue circle thing, and noticed it was due to looking down at a phone book on the front porch, left for me. I keep having these issues with seeing dots out of the corner of the eye and so on.

I am concerned and keep thinking the worst. It has been going on for almost 2 weeks with these, and the troublesome issue is when I look down, I can get dizzy, and I feel pain in my right eye or headache when I pick something up at times. I am extremely tired, and feel very weak. I even brought this up at my dr, as I felt like I was going to pass out on exam, and she just had me sit back, and is going to give me a Thyroid test. I did have a test for anemia, and it is ok. I am taking Labetalol, or did when I was pregnant, but the dr didn't change my meds. Can this be something benign? I am really scared and can't get answers. Thanks.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Headache can be an uncommon complication of an epidural.

This can be caused by a leak in the cerebrospinal fluid, leading to the persistent headache.  Tests to consider would be an MRI, as well as nuclear medicine studies that can trace the source of a possible leak.

If this is the case, a patch can be applied to seal the leak.

These options can be discussed with a neurologist.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin Pho, M.D.

KevinMD.com
Twitter.com/kevinmd

[SurgiMenopause]

You might try the "Undiagnosed" forum and see if a doctor might answer or else the professional forum side.  This forum is not for getting answers from doctors, but rather lay people, often with medical problems themselves who need help or want to help others.

[JeDH]

I have had similar problems:
have been experiencing weird symptoms ever since I had my baby.  I have been dealing with vision problems: swirling of vision, flashes, floaters, pain in my eyes. I also have had weird headaches: along temples,top of my head, and sinuses.  I have had major bouts of dizziness, changes in my vision, I have not been as sharp with my processing skills. My head just feels like it is going to explode, or that I am going to explode.

I also just feel jittery and i have major numbness and weakness in my arms and legs, hands and feet!

I am convinced I have a brain tumor or MS or something.

I've been to numerous doctors and nothing is wrong...which I do not believe. Every time they want to prescribe an anti-depressant.

[Maxmama77]

JeDH,
Dear Dr, Pho and JeDH,
Thanks for the replies. I did go to the neuro, and he thought it was sinus and migraine, but I feel so woozy. I have never had this. He did give me z-pack. I think there may be a relation with blood pressure, as it is really low at home, but extremely high at the doctor office. I don't know what to do. I feel dizzy now, but my ears are full, my mouth feels dry and i am really tired. I am thinking if everything is clear, they will do the same JeDH, as my dr thinks I make the stuff up IMO. She never really seems to understand that I feel awful. I have to spell, write it out for her. During pregnancy, I even had to convince my obgyn I was having problems for a week, when finally, they noticed I had my amnio sack leaking for a week, and was going into labor.

[Maxmama77]

Also, the neuro is giving me an EEG and CT scan of the head next week.

[Maxmama77]

I got the eeg and Ct results which were ok, except there was an issue with the lumbar spine- LS-L5 degenerative diseas, with narrowing. Would this cause this? Also, I started recording the dizzy spells, which haven't been too troublesome, except for last week... They have been occuring after eating meals at times. I am not sure if that means something with blood pressure, insulin, etc... I can't figure out where to go next if these do not ease up. It did seem when I turned my head, I noticed the dizziness, or sitting down, but then again, my bp feels out of whack. I can't figure this out-thanks.