post blood patch headache

[grannyg54]

our daughter had a lumbar puncture that resulted in a terrible headache.  The bllod patch did not work and her headache is so severe that she is hospitalized - morphine did not work.  Delotid is helping somewhat.  What is this?  The MRI showed no abnomality - no leakage.  The pain is just excruciating.  PLEASE help

[blc1971]

I'm a 44-year-old male who had a lumbar puncture in the ER a few months ago. I had the typical headache afterwards and went back to the ER a week later for a blood patch. For over three months following the blood patch, the headaches continued. They were particularly painful mid-day for some reason, and it was extremely painful when I coughed, sneezed, or bent over. I went to several doctors, all of whom said there was no sign that spinal fluid was still leaking. They wanted to run test after test, which I didn't do, and at least one of them thought I was crazy, I'm sure. Well, I'm happy to report that -- FINALLY! -- after three months, my headaches are disappearing. I still feel them from time to time, but the pain is very faint and much less frequent. It seems my body is finally healing. I had a difficult time finding any information about my condition and my doctors didn't know what to think either, so I wanted to share my story. I hope it helps someone else out there.

[LadyLo60]

Hi:  My sister had an MRI done several months ago, it showed that she had fluid on her brain, and also a spot was seen.  The doctors didn't do anything with the findings, she recently had a stroke and her right side was affected by the stroke.  The doctors tell her that she did not have a stroke, what was the cause of the weakness on the right side.  She had a spinal tap on yesterday April 17, 2015, after the spinal was done she developed a severe headache they admitted her to the hospital and took another MRI, no results as of yet.  She also when she is awake I was told by my niece that he hand shake.  The doctors have not gotten the results back yet from the spinal tap and the MRI.  They had to sedate her to keep her from experiencing the sever headaches.  She has had medical problems with hr stomach, it continued to swell, nothing they did would make it go down, they've tested her and can't come up with an answer to, I feel like they are just giving up on my sister.  She is in and out of the Hospital, and none of the doctors seem to know what is going on with her.  This has been for about 6 to 7 years.  Also, when she eats, there are times she will throw up, they tested her for cancer, there was no answer there either.  We are as a family frustrated with what is happening, testing but no concrete answers. Can you help.  

[Abhijeet Deshmukh, MD]

Hi.

You should suspect a patch failure. See if you can contact the doctor soon. You can also observe if you have any swelling or pain at the site. Any fever should be reported immediately. A repeat patch may probably be needed.

Regards

[Jean77]

I had a excruciating headache for four days after a lumbar pucture done on 2/5/08. I went to the emergency four days later and the doctor performed a blood patch. Immediately after the blood patch was performed the headache was very mild. Three days later, I been feeling the headache again in my left head quadrant, and I've been feeling dizzy.
Dr. prescribed Diamax but it seems that is not working. Please help !!!

[Abhijeet Deshmukh, MD]

Hello.

Was the blood patch done on 19th ? According to some studies, the headache and other problems reduce by one thirds to one fifths by the end of one week. And further improvement continues.

Since how long is she catheterized ? Does she have other symptoms ( dizziness, visual problems, etc) ?

Regards

[grannyg54]

this was done on Dec 19

[grannyg54]

She had the lumbar puncture to withdraw spinal fluid to test for M.S.  
This was her third lumbar puncture but she unfortunately has had some very bad complications.  The needle site did not heal all the way and she developed a leak of the spinal fluid which caused a severe spinal headache.   After four days of misery she went in on Monday and had a blood patch.  This is where they take her own blood and inject it into the site of the lumbar puncture.  This was supposed to have provided immediate relief.  
Today she is better.  They are giving her iv caffeine and she has been cathed so that does not have to get up.
Will this last?

[Abhijeet Deshmukh, MD]

Hello.

There are reports of severe headache after an uncomplicated lumber puncture. And there was no other cause found in such cases. The headache goes with time, analgesics and  fluid supplementation. Did she take all the precautions after the LP was done ?

Can you mention why the lumber puncture was done ?

How is her headache now ?

Regards