Feeling VERY strange after Blood Patch
 

I'm looking for anyone that has had a Blood Patch done. I had a Lumbar Puncture done 10 days ago. The night after the puncture I ended up with a Spinal Headache. After waiting (flat on my back) for 72 hours I got a Blood Patch done. It took the Anesthesiologist about three tries to get the needle placement correct. I have a bunch of scabs (sorry that's gross) on my back to prove it. It has now been 1 week since the Blood Patch was done. I haven't had the headache since getting the patch but I've been very light headed and woozy feeling since having it done. But only when I'm sitting up or standing. The first few days after the patch I couldn't even sit up without getting terribly light headed and upon standing I felt drunk. Now, I can sit up more and feel okay more often than not. But once I stand up the woozy/light headed/drunk feeling starts to build the longer I'm on my feet and won't stop until I lay back on pillows. Either rather flat or just laying back on a stack of pillows in a reclining position.

Is this at all normal? I so want to get back to just feeling normal. And this has kept me in the bed for 10 days now. If I just understood what was going on..:confused:

I had a blood patch back in 2012. I had a lumbar rhyzotomy and epidural on a Friday went home and developed an unbearable headache. The following Friday I was put in hospital, and on the Monday night I had a seizure. The doctors believed the headache was cause by a dura leak and a blood patch arranged for the Tuesday morning. I had the patch done and the headache went away.

I had fractured a number of vertebrae and ribs in the seizure and I can't really remember how I felt post the blood patch because of the pain I was in, so I can't help much other than to say what you are experiencing doesn't sound right. I would get in contact with your doctor so that it can be checked out thoroughly.

Wow, sounds like you went through a pretty awful time. I can't really find much information online about what to expect AFTER a Blood Patch except that you rest for a few days and that you may have a sore back. I think I'll call my doctor on Monday.

I found this information
 

After you leave the hospital, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs:
Continued pain or discomfort after 24 hours
Signs of infection, including fever and chills
Limb weakness, numbness, or unusual sensations of light headedness

I had plenty of pain and discomfort for well over 24 hours after the patch was done. That is gone now. The nurse that helped the doctor with the patch called me the day after and I told her I was really light headed. She said to rest. I'm still getting really light headed. I see my Neurologist tomorrow. I went to the ER about two days after getting the blood patch done because I was so light headed. They gave me Meclezine and sent me home. I've had a couple of days where I felt a lot better but then the dizzy/light headed stuff comes back. Thank you for looking that info up for me. Do you remember where you found that?

Hi Sweetrain, I googled it but can't find the site, I did find this one today on third age though and it's very similar?;

When to Contact Doctor About Epidural Blood Patch

Call Your Doctor
After you leave the hospital, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs:

Continued pain or discomfort (beyond 24 hours)
Signs of infection, including fever and chills
Limb weakness, numbness, or unusual sensations
Trouble emptying bladder or bowels
Stiff neck
In case of an emergency, CALL 911 .

Hi Sweetrain,
Reading over your post it sounds to me like the blood patch didn’t work and you still have the CSF leak. I’ve had one since Oct14 and its positional. I only get headaches when standing or sitting. When lying flat it never comes on. Anyway, your post was some time ago so hopefully you are healed. Let us know how you are doing if you can. Sometimes it’s hard to find good news regarding CSF leaks on the internet. Not to imply people don’t get better I just think people post most often when things are not going well. Once healed they get on with life. I can’t blame them, I do the same thing.