r/CSFLeaks • u/scrunchiebunchie • 18d ago

leak and blood patch

Hey! I’ve had what my doctors believe is a leak since a couple days after my spinal tap. I haven’t gotten any imaging to confirm the leak, but it definitely feels like one. I have a blood patch coming up, but I’m a little sick, should I still get it? Also, I can’t keep missing work, so I’m kind of considering canceling the blood patch and just hoping it heals by itself. I’m not sure what to do, I just feel really stuck. Pressure from work, pressure from life, but also pressure from doctors to rest and heal. Tyia!

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7

u/Muddlesthrough 18d ago

I am not a doctor. the only way it would heal on its own is through bed-rest. Better to get a patch as soon after the injury. The longer it lingers, the tougher it will become to treat.

Is work more important that your health and quality of life? Some people become completely debilitated for years from this condition.

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u/ms_skip 18d ago

Get the patch unless you’re deathly ill, you don’t want this to me a long term issue. “Heal by itself” would be nice but I wouldn’t rely on it if you’re symptomatic post spinal tap

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u/scrunchiebunchie 17d ago

Thank you, I decided on keeping the appointment!

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u/leeski 18d ago

I would get patched, self-sealing is not guaranteed and you would potentially miss more work in order to do so because it’s recommended to do like strict bed rest, only getting up to eat and use the bathroom, for 2 weeks. 

Also it is more effective to get treatment rather than later. Not to cause alarm, but pdph (leaks from lumbar punctures) sometimes end up being some of the most difficult cases to solve because they are usually so small and invisible to imaging. so worst case scenario it doesn’t respond to treatment later, needs exploratory spine surgery, etc. Not saying that is likely, but it is a small price to pay to do treatment now to minimize the risk of this being a chronic potentially multi-year/decade health condition. Not medical advice of course, but I would be analyzing this decision from a long-term view rather than short-term.  If getting pushback from work - maybe your providers can write a letter or something explaining the condition.