back surgery...needing some love | Arthritis Information

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I had unexpected surgery last Monday to clean out a severely herniated disc.  Surgery went great and relieved the sciatic pain I have been suffering with for the past few months.  Three days into my recovery I get the most crippling headache I've ever had apparently caused by leaking spinal fluid...  The remedy is to lie flat on my back for five days, drink caffienated drinks and water.  I am on day three and making the slightest of progress.  The first day was the worst.  Yesterday I woke up feeling a lot better until I got up to shower and had to immediately go back to bed.  Today is about the same as yesterday.  Thankfully, my RA has been kind to me through the process.  The doctor is going to call tomorrow to check on me.  Another great result of the surgery is that I can feel two toes that I haven't felt in about five years.  I had thought they were numb due to a neuroma surgery I had had.  Who knew it was from my back?  Anyways, here I am laying here, day three, passing the time...  Thanks for listening.Hi Dawn, I am so sorry you are suffering from a spinal headache. I know it can be terrible! Did you have a spinal anesthetic or did something in the surgery itself, cause the fluid to leak? I hope you continue to improve. It is such a slow recovery.

 
I had a spinal anesthetic about 30 years ago for a hysterectomy. I felt so much better after the surgery, but, like you, I got a terrible headache. They put the foot of my bed up so I was laying with my head down, feet above my heart. It only took about a day for mine to get better, though. I had asked the anesthesiologist what would happen if the headache didn't go away from changing the tilt of the bed. She said that if the spinal fluid was too low, they might have to do a "patch". That meant that they would take some blood from my arm and put it into my spine to raise the level of the fluid. I wonder if they no longer use that technique?
 
Anyway, I know it must be awfully hard to just lie there for 5 days. But hopefully, they success of your back surgery will help you forget about the headache eventually. I'm sure it doesn't seem like it now, though. Try to keep a positive attitude. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
 
Let me know how you are doing.
 
Gentle hugs, Nini
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nini2008-05-26 10:22:41Wow  nini that was a big edit... hugs!  i haven't had those kind of headaches, but i've had horrific migraines..
and elevating the feet really does help the body..
 
Do you have any valium you can take/ get prescribed... of course, you need to check w/ your dr..
and sooo glad you're not having an RA flare w/ this!
 
hope you feel better soon..
blessings~
hi gracimum  glad to see your surgery went well. Hey, Boney. Sorry about all the white space in my post. I saw that when I posted my reply and tried to go back and "edit" out all the extra space.
 
Obviously, it didn't work.
 
Sorry everyone.
Hugs, Nini
Oh, that headache sounds awful.  But how exciting to have such an unexpected extra benefit in being able to feel your toes again!  Enjoy this enforced rest time, wiggle your toes a lot to remind yourself of this nice surprise, and get better soon.  Congratulations on a very successful surgery.   I had that headache after a c-section I had (daughter is now 20) it was awful! It made me so sick to my stomach and I was throwing up with staples in my gut. I wanted to die. I went to dr and had the patch after about a week of the headache and it was instant relief!
I hope you are feeling better!
take care
Take it easy and I wish you a speedy recovery!Hang in there and I hope it goes away soon!Glad surgery went well. Sounds painful, but at least you can feel 2 toes, and no more sciatic pain. I hope recovery goes well... and no more of them horrid headaches for you.
 
Much hugs!
Well, thank you for all the well wishes.  I am still on my back lying flat, with the exception of a brief shower a few minutes ago.  I am good for about 15 minutes and then the big headache comes back.  The doctor called today and wants me to come in on Thursday morning.  I think they will do the blood patch then if this hasn't cleared up by then.  I sure wish they could have done it sooner.  This has been a bit rough, although I don't want to complain because others are suffering much worse than I am.  Thanks for the support. 
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