Headache two weeks post op?

[MoeCo8]

Hi everyone,

I am two weeks post op, decompression and everything had been going pretty well until about Wednesday when I started getting unbearable headaches, that got worse when I sat up or stood up, and got better when I laid down.  From what I googled ( google can be a dangerous thing, because it can scare you) it sounds like it might be a CSF leak, bit I don't want to jump to conclusions. What my question is, could a leak occur this close to surgery? And what should I do about it? What are they going to do about it if I go to the doctor? These headaches are unbearable. Thanks everyone!

[selmaS]

  Hi ...it does sound like it could be a leak, most times they will inform u to lay flat and keep hydrated...sometimes to add caffeine to help with the HA's

DO nothing....I had a leak and on the 5th day of laying flat  mine resolved...if it  had not, my drs were going to try a blood patch....all Drs r diff in how they approach these....

But rest up, remain flat...and if symptoms worsen call ur Dr....he should be advised as to what is going on now too, but call again if there r changes.

[Viva001]

I would talk to your NS.  but 2 wk out is very early, and recovery is a bumpy road.  I'm 7 wk out, and I think I had 2-3 Very bad days when I wondered WTH.  But I was always better the next day.
Hopefully you feel better by now.

[Sexybare]

def check in with your ns so he/she is aware of this. also keep a log of the types of headaches and how it affects you. better to be safe.


zygy- i also take excedrin with vi and a muscle relaxer for the really bad headaches. but my mom told me they took excedrin off the shelves in stores and now i cannot find it anywhere,,ugh. maybe when i go to colorado i can find some at a store and stock up on it lol. i need it, only thing that remotly helps....

[zygy2]

You said you are two weeks out so have you already had stitches out?  Do you have a 30 day checkup scheduled?  If you don't have a Dr. apt than I would call and just chat with them and let them know what is happening.  Because it is so early they may want you to wait a bit, frustrating but it seems to be the process.  Low pressure headaches are horrible, I have had two leaks (pseudomeningocles) from multiple surgeries and I now have them because of a shunt but they really do stink!  They are much better within minutes when I lay down.  The pain is much worse standing.  My leaks were right after surgery and never went away but for lots of people the treatment is to lay down, increase caffeine and hopefully the leak closes on its own.  I would at least tell your NS though that you are having these issues and see what they want to do.  They can do a scan and see if there is a leak.  I had many CT scans, not just the MRI is needed to see leaks/pseudomeningocele.  If I were you I would try to increase caffeine and see if that helps you at all.   I take excederine multiple times a day to fight my low pressure headache... it does a number on your stomach but it is the only way I can fight the headaches unless I want to lay down all day and that is impossible.  Good luck with your headaches, they are nasty!  -zygy