Epidural headache

[CaseofEllen]

Hi all,

I had my DS 12 days ago via emergency csection with epidural and spinal block.

I've had a severe headache in back and front of head and neck pain ever since - have told midwives and doctors but nothing has been done. Reading up and think I may have a 'post dural headache' and need blood patch. Does anyone have any experience of this?

I'm taking pain relief round the clock but with no relief. The only time I feel remotely better is when I'm lying down.

TIA

That sounds a lot like an epidural headache, definitely go back and have it checked! I don‘t have personal experience but was coincidentally talking to a doctor friend about this today. He said most spinal/epi headaches only last 1-2 days, so 12 days sounds quite rough. The worst case scenario is 6 weeks by which time the spinal cord has healed itself...however no need to suffer when there‘s treatment!

Call labour ward, or ask your midwife to call them, and ask to speak to the duty anaesthetist. They will usually be happy to see you and talk you through your options. Midwives and GPs don't always know that this is an option once you've left hospital but it should be possible to arrange.

I had these a few days postpartum. It was the most excruciating headache I’ve ever had-it felt like someone was shrink-wrapping my brain. I was told to ring the postnatal ward if they continued and were unbearable which I did and I was advised to go back to the postnatal ward. I spoke to the anaesthetist about my options which was a blood patch or ride it out! They said they should pass within a few weeks so I decided to ride it out and they had gone within another week. I’d get checked out because they checked my back for more leaking which I wasn’t but just in case you are. Good luck and I hope the pain goes soon.

I had this in hospital - I was in hospital longer as my baby was in SCBU. The midwife wasn’t aware what it was - I almost passed out and vomited (but that was probably due to the medicine from the section and painkillers) but my husband’s brother is an anaesthetist and he told my husband to ask the hospital to call for an anaesthetist - eventually after about 36 hours and I wasn’t better they did and literally that afternoon I was back in theatre for a blood patch. It worked I would say pretty much immediately. And yes I agree the pain was horrendous!!

So call the hospital - midwives really didn’t know what was going on - just said it was from the medicine and my vomiting. So grateful for my brother in law.