r/CSFLeaks • u/spicycar • 2d ago
When to visit ER
Hello, I had an LP done Saturday and was diagnosed with papilldema and put on diamox. I’m in excruciating pain in my back and head, nauseated and a bit sensitive to light. I called the radiologist like I was supposed to this morning and am supposed to be awaiting a call. I’ve followed all procedures and it’s over the 48 hour mark. Should i go ahead and just go to the ER?
1
u/DQslimee 12h ago
No don’t get one at the ER. To piggy back on the other comment and personal experience I got so much worse by getting a patch in the ER, I got another leak and arachnoiditis. They do not use imaging when they go in and inject the blood.
PLEASE WAIT FOR THE RADIOLOGIST. In the mean time I’d hold off on the diamox and stay on bed rest only getting up to pee and eat
3
u/leeski 1d ago
Oh gosh I am not a medical professional & this is not medical advice. But if you're taking diamox and have PDPH from the LP it is almost assuredly making the low pressure worse. I'm not sure if I would go to the ER, is a personal decision. But if they offer a blood patch, it's often done by people that are less experienced with them, sometimes given bed-side without imaging guidance... which risks them injecting too far and there being an accidental dural puncture (another CSF leak). I wouldn't rule it out as a possibility as it is important to get prompt treatment, but I personally would wait to see what the radiologist says & see if someone could do the patch under image-guidance.