Headache after spinal???

11 replies

blushingbaby · 16/12/2011 15:44

DD was born 9 days ago. VBAC birth but had to be stitched up in theatre due to tears to my urethra. Yesterday i woke up with a really bad headache which i still have today (despite regular pain killers for the stitches).
Does this sound like something to worry about?
I'm still functioning (looking after ds 20mths and new dd) so its not a debilitating headache but its bad and constant.

OP posts:

feedmecake · 16/12/2011 16:06

I was told by the anethetists that although this is rare, it does happen after epidural/spinals on occasion. I understood from the conversation with her that it is nasty when it happens. Not sure what to suggest but it might be worth you speaking to someone medical about it in case they can make it go away.

Original poster

blushingbaby · 16/12/2011 16:11

Thanks. Will try to get a call back from GP.

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fairimum · 16/12/2011 16:26

I had this after my section but was within 24 hours - I wasn't aware it could be so long after a spinal though - it is horrible and was nothing they could do except give me pain killers - it was awful though, I couldn't even open my eyes - never felt pain like it :(

I hope you are feeling better soon xx

Original poster

blushingbaby · 16/12/2011 17:35

Well i'm not really sure if it is that or not fairimum Have phoned mw who told me to take codine and call hosp if its still painful at 9pm

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xkatyx · 16/12/2011 18:02

I had this afte a epidural and it was horrible, I'm due to have a csection on Wednesday and worried about the spinal doing the sane, but I plan on taking all the pain killers as I have never had a csection and have been advised by everyone to keep on top of them!!

Mine did pass and I just forgot about it, but I think it late about half a day ish.

broccolitrees · 16/12/2011 21:56

does it ease when you lie down?
if it does you need to tell them that when you tell them the pain killers don't help much, and they may need to see you again. it is a rare complication of spinal/epidural and it does pass but they do need to be aware.
if memory serves, i think caffeine helps with the pain so try a cuppa as well

jojomo · 16/12/2011 22:07

I had this after an epidural - it's known as a dural tap when the needle has gone a little bit too far and punctured the spinal membrane so the fluid leaks out that usually goes round the spine and the brain. Is it worse when you stand up? It was utterly dreadful in my case, came on the next morning and I was in hospital for 9 days, couldn't walk or function at all and I had all sorts of problems. It's not dangerous long term or anything though. The doctors can do something called a blood patch if it gets worse which blocks the hole and stops the leak if you see what I mean. I had to have cranial osteopathy eventually to get rid of the nagging pain after 4 months (!) which was amazing. Hope it gets better fast.

jojomo · 17/12/2011 08:27

forgot to say last night that caffeine does help - in my case it was a dose of pure caffeine given in hospital which lifted the headache enough to enable me to walk (sort of) so they would let me leave. Not sure if cups of normal coffee would be strong enough but it's worth a try!

PacificDogwood · 17/12/2011 08:32

If you are still no better, get in touch with you MW and ask to speak to the anaesthetists about getting a 'blood patch' whereby a bit of your own blood is injected into the same space as the spinal medication went. This replaces whatever spinal fluid might have been lost and very quickly gets rid of the headaches.
There is also some evidence that drinking LOTS of water helps, again to help replace the lost fluids.
Hope you are better today.

hippysair · 17/12/2011 08:40

I had this after having a lumbar puncture/spinal tap, 2 years ago. Didn't get it straight away but about a day later. Was horrendous, pain was making me vomit. Dh had to call the gp out tome, it is to do with pressure being restored in your body. It took about a week for me to fully recover. Try not standing for long periods of time.

Greedypiggy · 17/12/2011 09:05

Hi! 9 days is pretty late for a post dural puncture headache to appear. Does the headache disappear when you lie down and is only present when you get up, gets better if you press firmly on the stomach, is it associated with nausea, do you feel better when it is dark in the room, any visual disturbances? If yes, then most probably it is a post dural puncture headache, otherwise not. Headaches are quite common after labour and childbirth. If it is severe then you need to speak to a doctor. I would phone your labour ward directly and they can get in touch with your Anaesthetist.

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