spinal headache

[jerseyg]

Had my lumbar puncture yesterday. They stuck 3 times. The first they got fluid and it was mixed with blood. They let it drain a little to see if it would clear. When it did not they attempted again. They did get the fluid.  I did not get a headache with my previous tap bit this one is a killer. It does improve when I lie flat. I have drank a gallon of water as well as alot of caffiene. How long do these things last?

[jerseyg]

A blood patch is a procedure in which an anesthesiologizt takes 20-30 cc of blood from your arm and injects it into the epidural space to form a clot over a spinal leak from a lumbar puncture. Sounds worse than it is.


Missy

[kel1lost]

Wat's the blood patch?

[kel1lost]

Wat's the blood patch?

[jerseyg]

Just had the blood patch. Awesome procedure already feel 80% better

Thanks missy

[kel1lost]

Mine lasted for longer than expedted as well. Also didn't lie flat like i was supposed to.Nuero prescribed me Maxalt migrain pill. It immidiatly stopped .  

[rendean]

Hi jerseyg,

I also had the spinal headache, mostly since I didn't lie flat for the recommended time due to the holidays and relatives staying at my house.

I have heard they do the blood patch anywhere from 5- 10 days post-procedure. I had mine at 12 days and it worked. The next day my headache was completely gone!

Call your neuro and find out when the blood patch can be done.

I hope you feel better soon!
Ren

[jerseyg]

Thanks forall ur comments. I am so grateful for this forum. Where is Red?

Missy

[Deb61]

I don't mean to scare you, but my headache lasted a couple of weeks.  I lived out of town and didn't want to drive to the hospital where I could get the blood patch.  Plus, I was afraid that if I got one, it was jiggle loose or something (won't being doing that again if I have to have another--I'll still in a hotel if I have to!).  

I wouldn't suffer for more than three days with the headache.  I would get the blood patch.  In the meantime, do not get out bed at all.  Keep your head down as low as possible when walking to the bathroom.  Drink lots of caffeine.  

[Lulu54]

Ouch! I am so sorry to hear you are suffering.  Stay as flat as possible to allow the puncture site to heal - if it is not better tomorrow and you are still in pain you would have two options -

1) call the neuro and probably be told to wait another day or two  to see if it stops on its own
OR
2) go to the ER and request a blood patch to stop the headache.  Be sure and tell them that there are two spots on your back where they did a tap - you might be leaking at both.

feel better,
Lulu

[selmaS]

  Hi..a CSF leak is no fun and lying flat is the best way to go with plenty of H2o and  caffeine.... I had one after an epidural and I was in the hospital they told me they would wait 5 days to see if it sealed on it's own...lucky for me it did.

  If it goes longer they may choose to do a blood patch to help seal the leak.

  Good luck
    "selma"