Spinal headache, failed blood patch, now what?

[Amyloo]

Hi all, Got the nasty headache, had a blood patch done on Friday.  Worst thing I have EVER been through, that blood patch.  It was worse than the tap.  Anyway, it did not work. (I am flat on my back as I type this thanks to my trusty laptop and a bunch of pillows.)  What now?  Do I just wait it out?  It's getting pretty old.  I even asked for vicodin, which I never take but the pain is unbearable.  I'm so bummed.  Amy

[Amyloo]

Thank you Quix, you have given me hope.  And thank you Rena, you made me laugh!  God bless you, I will make it through this.  There are people dealing with more!  Amy

[Rena705]

Oh Amy, I am so sorry that you are feeling SO rotten and if there was anything I could do you take it away I would!  I have had the LP headache (real bad for 3 days) and if it is anything like that I certainly do feel for you!  I hope that this pain does not continue for you and that you start to feel better really soon!
If it's any consolation, I have a toothache that is making me want to bang my head against the wall or pull the bloody thing myself!  Does it help that I am feeling your pain for you through my tooth! tee hee
I really wish the best for you Amy and I hope that it will be over soon for you!  You know I was thinking that wouldn't post LP Pain and the pain from a toothache be a good deterent for criminals...just hold that over their head instead of jail time with a warm cell and 3 squares...hmmm, maybe I am on to something???  ha ha ha  
Anyway, good luck Amy and feel better soon ok?

Lots of Hugs,

Rena705

[Quixotic1]

The headache will eventually wear of.  Sometimes the patch takes a few days to seal completely.  Sometimes a second patch is needed, but I see that that would not be a consideration.  I suspect you'll be feeling better by tomorrow.

I had a horribly botched spinal anesthesia in 1983 - more than a dozen pokes by an incompetent anesthesiologist and three full injections of anesthetic.  I had a severe headache, relieved partially by the patch.  The headache resolved gradually over the next six weeks.  That is really worst case scenario.  The doc was using a needle that was too big and didn't know when to stop trying.  My suregeon was furious and formally complained about the guy who lost his position with the hospital.

I glad it's over.  Quix

[Amyloo]

You are right there for me woman.  I stayed down Mon - thursday; called neuro thursday and had blood patch on Fri.  (Again by "Dr. cute stuff" but by now of course I looked like Mrs. "death on a stick".)  Worst day of headache was saturday, but my pcp said that had nothing to do with the patch.  The tap was easy; I will never ever do a blood patch again.  Love to you, Amy

[Heather3418]

I did NOT have a blood patch...I chaulked mine up to doing too much too soon.

[Heather3418]

Oh Amy,

I am so sorry to hear that you are in the brunt of this LP headache.  Drink alot of fluid and add some caffiene products.  Lay flat as much as possible.  My headache lasted 5 days with the blood patch and eventually my cerebral spinal fluid stablilizied and the headache disppeared.

If you still feel this bad on Monday,  I would call your doctor.

I am SO SORRY and I really do understand how bad you are hurting.  Did you start doing your regular activites too quickly after the tap?  This is what happened to me.  Sometimes things like this remind me that I am NOT wonder woman.

Please take care of yourself.  Prayers going up for you, sweetheart.  I'm here for you.

Heather