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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Suspected spinal leak - waiting 7 hours and counting

60 replies

HollyLondoner · 29/12/2023 09:10

What a mess! I have had extreme back pain and migraines since having my c section. I have 7 spinal blocks as they struggled to get me numb. I have been having spasms and extreme pain in the site.

The GP told me the pain would go away and the migraines are hormonal. I paid to see a physio who says she had the same experience and said I should urgently go to A&E.

I called 111 who sent me to urgent care where I waited for 6 hours. I was then told to come back at 8am to an urgent day centre who sent me to A&E. A&E sent me back and the centre have sent me back to A&E. What an absolute joke. The Dr said I have suspected spinal leak which is very serious and I am in extreme pain and keep asking for pain relief but nothing. Any advice!?

OP posts:
Topjoe19 · 29/12/2023 09:14

I'm so sorry this is happening. I've had c sections but nothing like this. I hope you feel better soon. Stay at a&e!

Soontobe60 · 29/12/2023 09:14

Which doctor said you may have spinal leak? Where are you now? Have you have any tests?

Original poster
HollyLondoner · 29/12/2023 09:16

@Soontobe60 the doctor at urgent care said he suspects it is a leak and not muscular. He sent a referral for me to come to the urgent day centre at 8am but they said they can't do anything so after going back and forth I am at A&E where it says there is a 7 hour wait. I've only had a blood test and they said there is a wait for pain relief.

OP posts:
SutWytTi · 29/12/2023 09:16

If you have been passed from pillar to post contact PALS and complain. Don't leave A&E. Sorry this is happening to you Flowers

LittleMG · 29/12/2023 09:17

Op you must start making a fuss don’t be send backwards and forwards again.

Walnutair · 29/12/2023 09:18

When was the Caesarian? If recent then you need to let the obstetric anaesthetic department know in the hospital you had your section - they will want to see you. You could try going via the Labour ward and see if they can put you in touch with the duty obstetric anaesthetist. Do you have a headache too?

Original poster
HollyLondoner · 29/12/2023 09:19

@Walnutair the Dr at urgent care said I needed to see an anaesthetist and that's where he sent me. The urgent day centre seem to think I should be at A&E. I can't wait another 7 hours!

I'm in a lot of pain and have terrible migraines.

OP posts:
Walnutair · 29/12/2023 09:24

Try calling labour ward or the postnatal ward. I’m an anaesthetist and the obstetric anaesthetic team will definitely have a pathway for seeing patients with possible problems related to spinal anaesthetics. This might be A&E calling the obstetric or general on call anaesthetist to come and see you, or it might be going to the postnatal ward and them seeing you there. When was the spinal?

CyberCritical · 29/12/2023 09:24

HollyLondoner · 29/12/2023 09:19

@Walnutair the Dr at urgent care said I needed to see an anaesthetist and that's where he sent me. The urgent day centre seem to think I should be at A&E. I can't wait another 7 hours!

I'm in a lot of pain and have terrible migraines.

You need to wait, I know you're in pain and it feels interminable but you need to be seen so you need to wait. Going home won't help anything. If anyone able to come and be with you, bring you a blanket and pillow so you can try to get more comfortable, be there to advocate for you and keep alert so you can close your eyes?

AnnaMagnani · 29/12/2023 09:27

Sorry it will be a long wait as they will need an anaesthetist to do a blood patch.

In the meantime make sure you are lying flat as if it is a leak it helps the headache.

Original poster
HollyLondoner · 29/12/2023 09:38

Thanks all. I'm extra emotional as I'm away from my baby as I thought best for him to stay home with my partner.

I cried at reception and said I could take the pain. Been given codeine and they said will be about 2 hours so they can check the blood test. Hopefully it is 2 hours and not 7 as advertised....

OP posts:
SomeCatFromJapan · 29/12/2023 09:39

OP I'm horrified. Someone I follow on youtube had this and it caused a stroke that almost killed him. Fortunately for him he wasn't in the UK so actually got prompt medical attention and pulled through.
I agree lying flat might help ease the headache pain.

Walnutair · 29/12/2023 09:44

Has anyone called an anaesthetist yet? When was the section?

Teder · 29/12/2023 09:49

Don’t leave, please. You need to be seen! How old is your baby, can they be brought to see you for a bit?

Original poster
HollyLondoner · 29/12/2023 09:53

The c section was 5 months ago but the pain and migraines have got progressively worse. No news on an anaesthetist. I will ask when they call me in. I just don't want to be fobbed off! If I'm still here this afternoon I'll get the baby to come for a bit to cheer me up for a cuddle. I woke up at 5am just to cuddle with him before coming back here 😢

OP posts:
Teder · 29/12/2023 09:59

Can someone come and sit with you, even if not your partner? Anyone else?

TheWildRumpyPumpus · 29/12/2023 10:01

Hope you get sorted soon OP! I had a spinal leak after epidural, then had a blood patch that failed the same day I got home from the hospital (relief was immediate when I first had it though!).

Does your pain change between being upright and lying down? Think that was the main indicator for a fluid leak. I was literally unable to be upright for any amount of time without excruciating pain until it healed over.

I’ve also had migraines my whole life and those are very different- they come and go, and have definite triggers.

TheWildRumpyPumpus · 29/12/2023 10:02

Also there wasn’t any back pain with my fluid leak, it was just an unbelievable headache.

Plikujyhtg · 29/12/2023 10:05

This makes me so angry. There is absolutely no way you would have been dismissed by the GP if you were a man.
OP I really hope you get seen soon, I don't have any practical advice but can see some posters have given some excellent guidance. Good luck

Original poster
HollyLondoner · 29/12/2023 10:11

@TheWildRumpyPumpus I'm sorry to hear you went through that.

I'm not sure it is a spinal leak but the Dr seemed pretty concerned and I'm in a lot of pain. He did say there's a possibility it's a slipped disk but what concerns me are the constant spasms in the site of the spinal blocks. I'm really not one to complain but my gut tells me something isn't right.

OP posts:
LakieLady · 29/12/2023 10:14

So sorry you're having to go through this OP. It must be really frightening as well as painful. I hope the codeine is making you a bit more comfortable. And if you can get a friend or family member to come and sit with you, it may help ease your anxiety a little, plus they can advocate for you.

A&E seems to be in such a shit state everywhere, the pressure on staff is immense and so people are leaving and that makes it worse. God knows what it will take to fix it.

Original poster
HollyLondoner · 29/12/2023 11:49

I've been seen by a doctor after 3.5 hours who believes it is definitely spinal block related. She said she will speak to the consultant and get back to me. So we wait again......

OP posts:
KatieB55 · 29/12/2023 11:54

You probably do need to be lying down. Contact PALS or get someone to come & advocate for you. Hope you get some help soon.

LittleMG · 29/12/2023 11:59

Well done op your handling it really well xx

FourthToeOnTheRight · 29/12/2023 12:00

How awful for you, OP 😔

Really hope you get some answers soon.