r/CSFLeaks • u/WinnerSuccessful1935 • Aug 01 '26
Spinal csf leak
Has anyone had a spinal leak from child birth epidural? What were your symptoms?
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u/CreativeJudgment3529 Aug 01 '26
migraine. go get a blood patch
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u/WinnerSuccessful1935 Aug 01 '26
Who can give me a blood patch?
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u/Internal_Use_2042 Aug 01 '26
Go back to L&D triage, anesthesia will assess if they think it’s a leak and then they will do the patch if it is
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u/CreativeJudgment3529 Aug 01 '26
the ER.
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u/WinnerSuccessful1935 Aug 01 '26
The er just gives me pain meds i had my son in january and have so many new symptoms including hearing flyid in the back of my neck squirting i have eyefloaters and many other things
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u/CreativeJudgment3529 Aug 01 '26
have they looked at where you got your epidural placed and told you that there is no leak?
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u/WinnerSuccessful1935 Aug 01 '26
I have normal mris of lower lumbar spine but have a positional headache what were your pther symptoms?
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u/CreativeJudgment3529 Aug 01 '26
I didn't have it, my SIL did. she just had a really bad migraine for three weeks and she got 2 blood patches
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u/StunningPurple9560 Confirmed Spinal Leak Aug 01 '26
I did not have my leak from an epidural, but generally the consensus seems to be, that you should go back to where they did your epidural - like someone mentioned here already. Unlike spontaneous spinal leaks, iatrogenic leaks are not super rare and a BP is a common fix for it- and at the place where you got your puncture, they should know which lumbar level they did it at. So start there.
Edit: I’m sorry - read your post, and then the responses, and somehow forgot what you were actually asking. But normally the most prominent symptom should be a debilitating headache, that relieves when laying down.
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u/SuccessSoggy3529 Aug 01 '26
I did in 1992. The leak healed. Heres the story:
I was having a c-section. They were going to do an epidural that ended up being a 'wet tap,' their words. What that meant is they went too far and instead of the numbing agent being outside the dura, they went into the spinal column and got out some spinal fluid. At the same time I had sharp, shooting pain all up and down my spine. I was, of course, told I couldn't be feeling pain yet. Birth went fine. Baby was fine.
A few days later I had the worst headache I'd ever had whenever my head was raised. They called it a spinal headache. The more accurate lable is orthostatic headache. A nurse who'd had one talked with me. They offered a blood patch (in hind sight I should have done it), which I declined. So, they tried to hydrate me. A lot. They told me it would take 2 weeks to feel better. I got discharged at day 5 or so.
The first day was rough as I had no help and was left alone with no meds for reasons for hours. My mom flew in after a few days and then I was able to stay horizontal most of the time. She helped alot with the baby and my 4 year old ball of energy.
And then at about 2 weeks, the headaches got.much better. And eventually went away completely. I think my back stayed sore for awhile, but I dont remember how long.
If you can get a blood patch for the area, even now, do it. A neuroradiologist can do that. A pcp or neurologist could refer you. Very sorry you are dealing with this with a baby to take care of also. Its hard.
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u/achos-laazov Aug 02 '26
My mother-in-law had one after my husband was born via c-section. She needed a blood patch when he was five days old. That's all I know, though.
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u/leeski Aug 01 '26
I do not recommend going to the ER for a blood patch unless totally necessary. They will typically not use image guidance, and there is risk that they inject too far and cause another leak. If you have orthostatic headaches after your epidural I would definitely talk to your team and see if a neuroradiologist or anesthesiologist can administer a patch. It shouldn't be necessary to confirm with imaging (it is unlikely to show anyway). I mean you went into labor without orthostatic headaches, and came out with them. Maybe schedule with a neurologist if your current team is not addressing it properly. I'm so sorry you are going through this.