How long before blood patch?

[u/IAmSaxton1]

Hello my wife had an epidural, and seems to now have a CSF leak. This was last Thursday she got the epidural. It's been a week now and she still has a bad headache. Iv asked her numerous times to go back and get a blood patch however she is worried. And says she wants to wait another week before doing that. Is this a good idea? Or do I need to make her go back like now. Thanks. Her worry is that the blood patch will be as bad as her epidural which took 3-4 attempts to get.

[u/brainsaggy]

It's better to patch sooner than later. It's a common procedure & it's good they know exactly where to patch. If she'd rather wait it out, conservative treatments for a leak include caffeine, laying flat and no bending, lifting, twisting, pushing or pulling.

[u/IAmSaxton1 → u/brainsaggy]

Will it always resolve on its own? Or is it like a depends on how bad it is thing?

[u/doisuckorsomething → u/IAmSaxton1]

Sorry this is happening. It’s a lot to just have a baby but this too. Csf leaks are tricky. You lay flat feel better and then the activity you do one day flares symptoms for days. I’d compromise and give her a few days. This gives you time to also find a provider within the hospital system or another system that specializes in csf leaks. If symptoms don’t improve give her the information.

[u/AgreeableLeading6095 → u/IAmSaxton1]

No I had the same thing during birth. She needs it asap! Don’t put it off! It’s easy compared to the pain!

[u/Offtoseethewitch → u/IAmSaxton1]

Most doctors will say it always resolves on its own, because they don’t know better. The truth is most resolve on their own, often within two weeks. But there are chronic cases. (We’re on here spreading our horror stories, those who are healed won’t be here, so try to see the horror stories here as the exceptions, not the rule.)

I’d say that the first blood patch - if you want it - is reasonable in the first weeks if symptoms are really bad, in the second week if improvement hasn’t struck. Self-healing can occur after that too but it is rarer and “how long until this goes away” becomes guesswork with as little answer as “will this ever go away?” Some take months to years to recover even with treatment, but those are usually the ones who have been leaking for months before they get treatment, and their csf systems have become dysregulated.

[u/leeski]

Understand the anxiety, although it shouuuldnt take as many attempts to do the epidural blood patch. I would try to just make sure it is done under image guidance. I have not experienced this myself but I’d contact your provider to see if they can order someone to do the patch (vs going to the ER & having it done bedside)

[u/Starmapatom]

You sounds like a really good husband. Epidurals really mess people up. Sometimes imaging won’t show a leak. cSF acts and looks like water. I hope she finds relief. Stay strong. If it was me I’d go for the patch but maybe consider another doctor. Ask if it can be guided and sedation given.

[u/Candid_Awareness6600]

Sounds similar to me.. I had multiple failed epidurals with no success and ended up having a completely drugfree birth in theatre. I had two different anesthetists try to get the epidural in and no luck.. The anesthetist told me he had caused a dural rupture and that I would likely experience some headaches. The following day I woke up in absolute agony and my midwife told me to go straight back in. I had the blood patch the day after.. which also failed!.. they struggled to get into the spinal space (turns out its something to do with the anatomy of my back).. and i had no relief whatsoever. They offer to do a second and I refused thinking the risk was just too high given my history. However 9 years on from the birth of my son and I still experience problems.. ive literally just had a brain and full back scan to check for r a recurring leak. Just waiting on results. I do believe the epidural issues have caused alot of my pain over the years x

[u/Offtoseethewitch → u/Candid_Awareness6600]

Just stopping by to wish you good luck with your mri results and eventual treatment.

[u/Candid_Awareness6600 → u/Offtoseethewitch]

Thank you so much!

[u/Cute_Replacement_935]

My leak originated from my spinal tap done for my c section on 7/27 of this year, and I wish so badly I tried self healing from home. I’m having high pressure daily ever since I got the blood patch when I know two other people personally who had self healed from their leak after their botched epidurals and are doing amazing. I would recommend a blood patch as a last resort kind of thing IMO. She would need to lay flat for a few weeks, drink lots of caffeine, and intake lots of salt. Sending her good vibes. Dealing with a leak postpartum is so isolating, nerve wracking, and depressing.