HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

How long can you get a CSF leak post fusion surgery

Support Forums
>
Chronic Pain
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 3/17/2015 1:16 PM (GMT 0)
Hello to all. Well I'm bed bound right now bc every time I get up I get a headache. Not like before but at the base of my neck. As soon as I lay down it goes away. I want to be up healing but right now being up the longer I'm up the longer it takes to go away when I lay down! I just don't know I've called my dr and have an appt next Tuesday. They said since the headache isn't as excruciating as before that it may heal itself and to do the caffeine and bed rest. I'm tired of bed rest! So my question is my headache started Friday which is 5 weeks post surgery. Can I get a CSF leak that far out? confused
Posted 3/18/2015 7:49 AM (GMT 0)
You can yes but its less likely the longer out. Are you drooping your head when you are up? You know not trying but letting your chin kinda sag for comfort maybe versus holding erect? Could it be caused by your positioning while sleeping,watching TV or looking at the computer even?
Posted 3/18/2015 9:42 AM (GMT 0)
I try to keep good posture and I make sure my pillow is supporting my neck. Yes I do drop my chin cause it hurts worse to look up straight ahead. I'm watching my temp but it's not getting over 100. I go to my PM today. Hopefully he can give me his opinion and my neurosurgeon appt next Tuesday.
Posted 3/19/2015 8:33 AM (GMT 0)
Angela what did your PM have to say??
Posted 3/19/2015 10:45 AM (GMT 0)
Lay flat, lots of caffiene, and plenty of fluids. Only get up when I have to. He def thinks it's a small leak I have a appt with my PM dr Tuesday so we will go from there. If it gets worse go to the hospital my neurosurgeon works at.
Posted 3/19/2015 5:51 PM (GMT 0)
If your not better by tomorrow, then you should go to the ER. Because weekends are so busy in the ER and your neuro probably won't go in on the weekend. Spinal headaches are horrible and I hope your improving...
Many well wishes..
Posted 3/21/2015 4:22 AM (GMT 0)
Sure hope your headache is getting better...
Posted 3/21/2015 3:07 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Proudmom....................... I have a question for you. It sounds like you have been suffering from this spinal headache for a while right now. Why haven't they suggested a "blood patch" or would that not be applicable to your certain condition. The "blood patch" that we did was when the doc withdrew X amount of blood from you (like getting blood drawn for a lab test) and using that blood in a syringe he will inject it into the spinal column. With this it is done to clot off the dura leak where your CSF is leaking from.

I was trying to remember because it was so long ago, but when I worked OB/GYN I use to assist the doc in these procedures for women who were in sheer agony because of spinal headaches. When they got the patch done, almost every one of them had relief in a very short period of time. Was just a thought.

I feel for you, a had one after a lumbar tap once and OMG it was horrendous! So sorry you have to go through this.

With warm Hugs from Texas,

Pam
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply