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-   -   Dural puncture from Epidural in birth!!! 2 failed blood patches and 8 weeks on! (https://www.neurotalk.org/csf-leak/208597-dural-puncture-epidural-birth-2-failed-blood-patches-8-weeks.html)

Dannii91 08-27-2014 10:33 AM

Dural puncture from Epidural in birth!!! 2 failed blood patches and 8 weeks on!
 
Hi Everyone, I really really hope someone can help me as I don't know what to do....
It all started when I got an epidural in labour. I got told before it was inserted that I could get a 'headache' as a side effect. (I could have coped if it was just a headache) The anaesthetist went ahead put the epidural in 20 minutes later when I was in labour still I got a searing pain straight across my forehead. The anaesthetist said as he put my epidural in he thought he punctured the dura. After labour I got up from the bed,my head was banging, I had vertigo and sickness along with nausea.
They rushed me into a room and laid me flat for 2 days where I was still really ill and unable to sit or stand at all. They then gave me a blood patch that didn't work. I stayed in a further 3 days but was really upset as unable to care for my newborn and husband had to do everything. I decided to go home and laydown there. 8 days passed and I hadn't improved at all. My husband called the postnatal ward and I went in for a 2nd blood patch that seemed to get rid of the headache but I was still left with head pressuren vertigo and burning sensation in forehead,shoulders and arms. I am now 8 weeks postnatal and still getting the same symptoms and doctors saying the hole will heal on its own. I feel like I'm never going to get better. I'm missing out on family time with my husband and 2 beautiful daughters. Please someone give me hope that one day I might recover or what to do?? Forgot to mention I had a CT scan of head and it was normal and doctor now booked me for emergency MRI!!! Thank you x

Berthabutt 08-29-2014 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dannii91 (Post 1092012)
Hi Everyone, I really really hope someone can help me as I don't know what to do....
It all started when I got an epidural in labour. I got told before it was inserted that I could get a 'headache' as a side effect. (I could have coped if it was just a headache) The anaesthetist went ahead put the epidural in 20 minutes later when I was in labour still I got a searing pain straight across my forehead. The anaesthetist said as he put my epidural in he thought he punctured the dura. After labour I got up from the bed,my head was banging, I had vertigo and sickness along with nausea.
They rushed me into a room and laid me flat for 2 days where I was still really ill and unable to sit or stand at all. They then gave me a blood patch that didn't work. I stayed in a further 3 days but was really upset as unable to care for my newborn and husband had to do everything. I decided to go home and laydown there. 8 days passed and I hadn't improved at all. My husband called the postnatal ward and I went in for a 2nd blood patch that seemed to get rid of the headache but I was still left with head pressuren vertigo and burning sensation in forehead,shoulders and arms. I am now 8 weeks postnatal and still getting the same symptoms and doctors saying the hole will heal on its own. I feel like I'm never going to get better. I'm missing out on family time with my husband and 2 beautiful daughters. Please someone give me hope that one day I might recover or what to do?? Forgot to mention I had a CT scan of head and it was normal and doctor now booked me for emergency MRI!!! Thank you x

You can get better. Some CSF leaks can heal with a couple weeks of bedrest and a blood patch. Some don't. No lifting at all.

Need a Myelogram to see if a leak can still be detected and should be done by a Neuroradiologist (Talk to Dr. to make sure sedation will & can be given prior to test.) I had sedation otherwise can be painful. A brain CT or MRI don't always show spinal cord leaks. A myelogram may detect one better. sometimes they are so small they cannot be detected.

Find a Neurologist/Neurosurgeon in your area that specializes in CSF leaks. Dr. Schievink is Los Angeles and is very good. Check other threads on site for other doctors. There is hope especially when leak is from a epidural.

But bedrest with a patch is a must to allow patch to work. My leaks had to be done surgically. Cause of my leaks was undetermined. Good luck!

Lara 08-29-2014 09:06 PM

Hello to Danii and Bertha,

Just wanted to send you both a Welcome to the NeuroTalk Support Groups.

Danii, I'm so sorry you're having to deal with all this and your little newborn baby.
I hope you rest and are feeling better fast as possible.


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