loss of spinal fluid

[MrWebb78]

quick background:

my wife had back surgery 6 weeks ago. during the surgery they tore what sounded like a dura, or dural? couldnt understand exactly what he said. anyways, they did a crappy patch job and the tear re-opened after her 2nd day in the hospital. her doctor let her leak spinal fluid for 3 days before scheduling her 2nd surgery in a week, to fix the leak again. so she had the 2nd surgery and was left flat on her back for 3 days to make sure it healed before she moved.

now here we are 6 weeks later, and she has a constant headache, almost migraine style. she says it feels like her headaches in the hospital did, just not as intense. but they are constant, without relief from rest or medication. her jackass surgeon in her follow up appointment refused to belief she was in any pain since his miracle hands performed surgery she couldnt possibly hurt anymore.

so after googling a bit, with no success, my question is this: could a loss of spinal fluid be the cause of these headaches, and if so, should they go away as the fluid is replenished?

thanks.

[NateWheeler]

Well, I have had exp in this section.

About 4-5 months ago, I had meningitis. Meningitis is a inflammation of the meningis (tissue around the brain.) There are two different types, bacterial, and viral. Bacterial is deadly and also very rare, while viral is much more common and is usually gone within a weak.

Anyway, to determine what kind it is they have to take a spinal tap, which is when they insert in needle into your spine and take some fluid out. Meningitis is KNOWN for its unbelieveable headaches, about 10 times worse than any migraines. Also, the Dr. told me that an after effect of the spinal tap was also really bad headaches. So basically my head throbbed nonstop for about 4 days straight. But when it did get better, I noticed that I still head pretty bad headches when I would stand up, later to find out it was because of the spinal tap.

So, to answer your question, yes the headaches are because of the loss of spinal fluid, and they should go away within a couple weeks at MOST, mine were gone in about one week. And im not sure about this, but from what im told, there is no way to get spinal fluid back...

hope this helps..

[Gyno Rhino]

It is quite possible that her headaches are a result of spinal injury. Impingement on nerve tissue can do strange things, frequently the pain will manifest in an area that you would not expect.

I would continue to talk to the doctor - if that doesn't help, it may be time to talk to another doctor.

[Minotaur]

It's called a spinal headache. Click this link for a google search list of sites about it. (http://www.google.com/search?as_q=&num=10&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&btnG=Google+Search&as_epq=spinal+headache&as_oq=&as_eq=&lr=&as_ft=i&as_filetype=&as_qdr=all&as_nlo=&as_nhi=&as_occt=any&as_dt=i&as_sitesearch=&safe=images)

[MrWebb78]

Thanks all. that link was quite helpful minotaur.

[Minotaur]

Thanks all. that link was quite helpful minotaur.

Good! :thumbup:

[Augury]

At a very simple level if you lose spinal fluid pressure due to it leaking or not being replaced fast enough then you will get a headache. The reason is pretty simple...the brain is bathed in the fluid and so if the level goes down then the brain gets pretty unhappy. very much like how a hangover can have similar effects due to dehydration. Small changes in spinal fluid levels can have pretty drastic effects.

Seriously...this isnt something to mess about with. If your wife hasnt stopped getting headaches in a week or two it is time to make noise. Dont take no for an answer. Get a second opinion. Its even possible that due to the opening up, failed fixing, reopening, patching back up there is a mild infection in there. I doubt it (i assume they filled her jam packed with antibiotics) but you never know. Spinal headache is my guess.

Go complain and be forecefull.

Augs.

[ion]

listen go to a different hospital and get her checked out fast. anything with the spine is nothing to take lightly. then hire a good attorney. that jackass....

[MrWebb78]

the attorney part is part of the confusion. she has a UI claim as well as a workers comp claim. this is the UI doctor who sucks ass, but she just recently saw the workers comp doc who is dumbfounded by the first doctor/surgeon she saw. it gets quite frustrating when the problem starts out simple, but you get docs who butt heads and the patient gets screwed.

anyways, she is set up for yet another MRI this week to see whats going on now. since the doc let her leak fluid for 3 days, they told her that its just going to take time until it is replenished basically.

thanks again for all replies.