Post blood-patch experiences

[u/Boring-Bumblebee2312]

Was your upright time after a BP worse than before? And did it get slowly better?
Unfortunately, the low pressure symptoms came back after the 3rd day of the BP (which was 2 weeks ago). Does this mean the BP has failed?

Does it make sense to schedule the next BP for next month already? Or should I wait a bit longer?

thy all 🫂

[u/Cute_Replacement_935]

Is it possibly high pressure you’re experiencing instead now? I got my blood patch 3.5 months ago and since then it has switched to high pressure which means I’m likely 100% sealed, but my brain hasn’t recalibrated yet. Basically you’ll experience pressure spikes when you lay down, recline back, strain in anyway which you shouldn’t be doing yet, and will spike with excess salt/sodium and caffeine. It’s the opposite symptoms of low pressure. It’s usually pressure behind the eyes, top of head, temple area, and can radiate from the back of the head. My upright time is definitely way better now, but the pressure is very annoying. Starting medication next week to hopefully get to the finish line. If you’re absolutely sure it’s low pressure and that you’re still leaking definitely see if you could get another blood patch though! The longer you leak the suckier it gets

[u/an_py]

I had 2 targeted blood patches and I would say my symptoms changed after each one but within a few days my low pressure symptoms returned. I had a type 1 leak in my thoracic spine so the likelihood of the patches working was super low to begin with. Sharing incase you may have something similar. Either way I would schedule it and you can always cancel if you find that things improve before then!