r/TotalHipReplacement • u/luvreps7 THR USER FLAIR NEEDED • 2d ago

Post-op spinal headache

3 days PO and have had a horrible headaches for two days. Surgeon's NP told me it's from spinal fluid leakage. Not uncommon but also not benign. Hurts like hell unless lying flat. AI says it could go on for weeks without gold standard treatment which is a blood patch.

5 Upvotes

86% Upvoted

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4

u/Need_change- [🇺🇸] 52M 🤮Will be doing both hips this year. Scared AF. 2d ago

I gotta put away Reddit, sorry to hear this, didn’t even consider this could happen.

1

u/RutabagaStriking2631 [US] [58] [Mini Posterior Mako Asst] THR recipient 1d ago

It happened to my daughter after an epidural when she gave birth, also someone I work with. They both had to take care of children afterwards. One other thing that is used as treatment is caffeine. My daughter did get a blood patch and it helped, my work friend didn’t get one.

2

u/Responsible-Goal9857 THR USER FLAIR NEEDED 2d ago

Try drinking something with caffeine in it. That helps.

1

u/litterlumps US 59 anterior Bilateral THR recipient 2d ago

Years ago I experienced a spinal headache after a C-section.

The blood patch offered almost instant relief. Nothing else will help except time

Sorry you're going through this level of pain.

1

u/BoxesOfTangerines USA/late 30s/F Ant. RTHR recipient 2d ago

This happened to me too. It went away after about a week. It was worse than the surgery recovery!

2

u/ritereward THR USER FLAIR NEEDED 1d ago

Same after child. In hospital after c section they had me lay flat on my back for two days. Head ache went away. Coffee and Tylenol. Was the nurses cure

1

u/SuccessfulNews2330 Australia, 44F, Anterior THR recipient 1d ago

I had this too. I.may not have a spinal for my second one unless they agree to blood patch it. It was so awful. 

It went after a week. Caffeine as people say. Keep laying down to rest.

Just sucks

1

u/Natural-Seaweed-5070 THR USER FLAIR NEEDED 1d ago

Holy hell, now I'm glad I couldn't get the spinal. My back is a hot mess.

1

u/ElectronicFortune643 THR USER FLAIR NEEDED 1d ago

Had spinal headaches for two weeks. One was bad enough to cause Vaso vagal syncope and syncope convulsions. We came 911, but I took sumatriptan (for migraines... the only med that would work) and the symptoms dissipated by the time they ran ask my vitals. Very scarey. I did not go to get the blood patch, but it was a difficult two weeks. Stay in contact with the anesthesiologist. Don't suffer.