Why can't I have another blood patch?

[OGDaniNowlin]

to start off I am an idiot. I went in on 9/3 for a spinal tap, which was a piece of cake, personally I thought it was easier than going to the dentist but I am off topic...ok so LP was at 8 am on 9/3 and I laid flat all day long, I got up to use the restroom 9/4 at 4:00 am and had a screaming headache when I stood, but when I laid down I was fine so off I went to the lake for Labor day weekend. Needless to say 9/5 at 6:00 am I was on my way to the ER. They did a blood patch by taking my own blood out of my arm and injecting it close to where they did the LP, I laid flat for an hour and when I stood up it was as if the heavens had parted and the Angels were singing. Suddenly I didn't care that the blood patch was some of the worst pain and way worse than the LP itself, because I was sitting up with zero headaches, I was looking in faces instead of up noses, it was glorious. They discharged me and said take it easy, well what is more relaxing than the lake? Off I went, what is the big deal right? That was such a simple fix. Worst case scenario is the blood patch comes loose and I go back to the ER and get another one because I am super mom like that. WRONG. I was very good at the lake, sat in my chair, floated on my floatie and did not lift anything, I truly think a coughing fit jarred the patch loose. I could feel the headaches coming back on 9/6 but waited until we were home on 9/7 to tell my husband, no sense ruining our last day at the lake. We headed to the ER, paid the $200 co-pay (while many others were seen for free), waited a few hours, told the doctor what I needed done, an anesthesiologist was paged, waited some more and then came the bad news. The anesthesiologist called back and said you would have to wait another week before you got another blood patch.
OH
MY
GOD
Why God Why!!!!! So now I lay flat on my back searching message boards for the magic person who will tell me how to fix this or that doctor or magic reason that will give/get me that 2nd blood patch right now. I realize this is a long post and thought about shortening it, but then I figured if you are having this same problem that you can't move either and have nothing better to do anyhow

[shannon_xray]

My blood patch worked like a charm.  I won't have another LP due to that headache.  I had read where if a spinal leak is left untreated it can cause cerebral hemorrhaging.  I don't know if that's true or not.  
If I were you, I would call another anesthesiologist and then another.  If you have to call a different hospital ER.  There is no sense in suffering that way.
Shannon  

[immisceo]

My neurologist was very reluctant to do a blood patch as the risk/benefit didn't seem appropriate in my case. I had a week of stonking headaches, but nothing compared to the traumatic and botched LP I had (when interns attack!).

So, the nurses (I was in-patient at the time) just made sure to keep that coffee flowing. Caffeine is the best home-remedy as it constricts the blood vessels, a form of pressure, which combats the negative pressure caused by the leaking CSF. Positive reinforcement is a powerful thing. I went from never drinking coffee at age 30 to an addict!

[HVAC]

I had the screaming headache and the neuro surgeon would not do a blood patch.The first week was hard but I noticed the headache got a little better every day. My GP took pity on me and gave me percept the second week. I had a deadline of a ten foot by 4 foot painting due 5 days after my LP. I had just started it. I would paint for 15 minutes then lie down for an hour. I drank a lot of starbucks canned double expresso drinks and cokes. It took three weeks to feel human. I got the painting finished and it was the best I ever did.
The headache was still slightly there 6 weeks out. I had one worse headache dry socketed wisdom teeth. Now migraines are a breeze.

Alex

[4happygnomes]

Sorry, I don't have anything to offer for advice, I had the LP and agree it wasn't that bad and fortunately had no problems.  Sounds terrible what you are going through.  I have to say, I did enjoy reading your post, it was funny in an unfunny situation.  Humor is sometimes the only way to get through some of this craziness!  

Hope you are feeling better soon!
Karen

[tanyamt]

Boy I guess I better send the kids away for a week so I am sure to not get up from the bed at all. lol

I have no input sorry! Big hugs!!