Anxiety after CSF leak....

[Katiefaye1991]

Hi, I had decompression surgery on 11/6,I thought everything went fine except I was just in a lot of pain for a few weeks. I thought that was normal. Then I recently had CSF leak from my incision and had to go back in for surgery last Saturday. Ever since then I’ve had major anxiety over forming another leak, I’m constantly anxious. How likely is a 2nd leak?

[selmaS]

Hi...so sorry we missed your surgery.....but sending prayers for a smooth recovery with the second surgery.
Do you know why you had a leak? Did they open the dura and if so what type of patch was used...and did they rule out EDS for you?

[Katiefaye1991]

Hi, thank you. They didn’t really say why I had the leak, other then when they went in they saw a few of the stitches had come off. They said they see leaks in the surgery the most. I do have a patch from my first surgery, it isn’t from my own skin though, he didn’t say the specific type, or I was too drugged to remember. No doctor has ever said anything about EDS to me, and I’ve had a lot of medical testing done due to other issues. I don’t have any of the signs of EDS though when I looked it up. About a week before my 2nd surgery I did have a very violent coughing fit, I was choking. After I got done choking my head was actually pulsating and I was in a lot of pain, it faded after awhile and I pushed it off. But I’m wondering if that’s what could have caused the leak since they said some of the stitches came off.

[selmaS]

It's possible it was the coughing....but it is always possible it is the patch.....I pray you do not need any more surgery and all will heal in time.

[Katiefaye1991]

Oh okay, I was hoping if it was the patch that it would have showed symptoms earlier that it failed. Because I Was a couple weeks post op when it happened. I go back to my neurosurgeon tomorrow, so hopefully he can ease my fears.

[selmaS]

I have heard of the patch failing a few weeks post op.....so it is possible but again I pray that is not the issue...keep me posted on what you find out....Good Luck at the Drs.