Spinal Headaches

I swear, I feel like I am dying because my head hurts so bad.  So, I am looking for some advice from those of you that have had spinal headaches after your epidural and had to have a blood patch done.  The day after I had Riker, he was born Dec 15th, I started having really bad headaches and we weren't sure if it was from the epidural or the percocet I was taking.  They almost didn't release me from the hospital but I really wanted to go home.  They told me to drink a bunch of caffeine because that is how they first try to get the headaches to go away.  Well, it helped a little but didn't make it go away.  Ever since then I have had a headache every day, but some days are worse than others and Tylenol doesn't work.  Christmas Eve was the worst, besides today, and I was barely able to function.  Just moving made me feel like I was going to pass out from the pain.  Walking outside made me think I was going to die from the pain the bright sun caused, just like a migraine.  Today is almost as bad.  When we called post partum they told us to go to the ER and they would check me out there, but we cannot afford the $150 copay right now for that.  So, people with experience.  Does this sound like a spinal headache?  Do they really go partly away and then get worse?  

I had a spinal tap, and then had to have a blood patch.  Yes!!!!  it definately sounds like that is what is going on.  I kept thinking oh, it is just my migraines....the pain was worse than my usual migraines but would get better and then worse again.  The fact that the bad headaches started right after your spinal definately gives reason to believe that they are caused from the spinal.  Let me tell you----get the blood patch!!!! I don't know how you have made it this long!!!  I went from Friday - Tuesday and I thought I was dying!!!  I was in agony!  I went in and got the blood patch, and really it wasn't that bad.  It was no worse than the spinal.  They have you lay on the bed in the fetal position on your side (curled/so your back is arched) and once they get the needle positioned.  Then, they draw blood from your arm with a needle/syringe and immediately inject into your space in your back.  I could tell a difference before the dr was even 1/2 way done!  By the time the dr. was completely done, my pain was 80% gone! 

If the pain is from the spinal, and not the percoset---the blood patch will take away almost all of the pain before you even leave the hospital. 

Good luck---Like I said...I don't know how you have made it this long--with the pain from a spinal headache--they are hell.

Debbie

Debbie,  thank you for your reply.  I am not sure how I have lasted this long, besides the fact that I hate complaining to my doctors.  I know, that is just stupid.  I usually  make my husband call any time I have issues cause I hate calling.  However, I did leave a message for my OB this afternoon.  I cannot take this anymore and really need to get it resolved.  So, hopefully I hear some good news tomorrow.

I got a spinal headache after Amber was born because the first attempt at my epidural was a wet tap.

Your body has very little spinal fluid.  It surrounds the brain and the spinal cord so when you get a leak they described it to me as if your brain no longer has the cushion.  Symptoms of the headache should be less when laying flat.  This has to due with the placement of your brain and that the spinal fluid spreads out differently.  Poor description I know but I can't remember that well. 

I would lay down for a little while and see if you start to feel better.  If when you sit or stand up the headache promptly returns then it is highly likely it is a spinal headache.  I started with a hoping for the best then caffeine but that was not a good choice.  The blood patch does make it so much better within an hour.  You need to take it easy and essentially be on bed rest though because I did not do this and ended up with two blood patches. 

It took them so many tries to get my spinal they probably would have not known which one to patch....I definitely had spinal headaches- I can remember being in the car and just wanting to go to bed.  It lasted about 2 weeks--- I rode them out because of fear of getting another moron digging in my back (they had already f'd it up which I didn't know at the time- hence my back surgery a few months later!)  Some days it felt like it was gone...then BOOM it would have its own drummer in there- I can remember feeling like I couldn't open my eyes. I drank lots of caffeine which helped some- but I was happy for any relief.  I would ask them flat out how long this could last (knowing everyone is different)...that way you can weigh the misery verse the cost- remember there are always payment plans you can arrange or lots of hospitals have charity care (especially if they do research they get grants to help) for lower income families.  I found explaining my fiscal issues openly helped me get the care I needed without worry of the cost- i.e. off work no pay, paying insurance premium, husband income supporting rest of household and all bills.  Good luck and hope you are well soon. 

Definitely sounds like a spinal headache...you poor thing! I've had one and it was about the most miserable experience. I don't know how you've made it this long....you must be a trooper!

When I had mine, anytime I'd do anything but lay flat on my back I felt like I was going to pass out. I called my dr who said to go to the ER. Once in the ER they called in two anesthesiologists...one to put another line in and the other to draw blood. They inserted the blood in the catheter and laid me flat on my back for a few minutes. Since I was on my back I couldn't tell if it had worked or not. I asked if everything was done and if I were healed....the anes. said well let's see and sat me up.....  the pain was COMPLETELY gone. Weird! If I had known that's what it was I would have been back at the hospital the night I started there.

Most hospital ER's won't turn you away for not having a copayment. It will get processed and then you will get a bill. After you get the bill you can call and set up payments.

Good luck!

I'm sorry you're in so much pain right now.  I've never had any epidural or anything, so have no input on that...but wanted to say that even though money's tight...you need to go to the dr.  Don't 'suck it up' if its that bad.  It may be spinal, but it could be something else.  Whatever it is, I hope you get relief soon.

BTW...I hadn't seen that Rider was here.  Congrats.  I hope you're feeling better soon so you can enjoy your time with him.

Hey there!  I don't really come on here much any more, so it has been a long time since I have talked to you!  Riker was born December 15th at 4:30am via a very sucessful VBAC!  He weighed in at 6lbs 3oz and was 19.75" long.  We took him in for his 2 week check up today and he is now 6lbs 9oz and 20.5" long and super healthy!  I love having him and his big sister is in love with him, too!  

My husband is making me go to the ER in a little while, we are just waiting for his Mom to get here to watch the kids.  Oh help me Lord!!  (I am not a big fan of the out-laws)  I think he is tired of me not doing much around here because of my head hurting so bad.  I am tired of it as well, but other things have become priorities.  We are going to try to bypass the ER and go to L&D and see what they say.  I just wish now that I would have gotten the blood patch done while I was already in the hospital.  :(  So, hopefully my headaches will be gone in a few hours!

I'm with your husband re getting to the dr...not necessarily so you can do things around the house, but so you're not in pain.  As long as the in-laws are OK to leave with the kids (ie trustworthy), it'll be worth the sacrifice of having to put up with them to find out what's wrong.  I'm hardly on fb...but I think you're one of my friends there...so I'll pop over there this weekend and look for pictures.

Congrats on getting the birth you wanted.  I know a lot of drs now days don't want to let women do the VBAC for no logical reasons...so I'm glad you got what you wanted.

I hope by now you have gone to the L&D and have gotten some relief!!!  Keep us updated!  I know how miserable it is.  Thats a good idea of going to L&D instead of ER, maybe you can get around the copay.  I am sure you will still get billed, but at least that will come in a bill, instead of having to fork it over in a chunk upfront. 

Keep us updated....I totally feel for you.  I made it 4-5 days and it truly felt like an eternity!  You have gone over 2 weeks!

Debbie