Blood Patch Question

[10sox]

I had my myelogram on Friday, and what a disaster. I developed a bad headache and nausea right after the procedure. By Sunday morning I was dry heaving so had and my head was killing. So, my dear husband drove me to the hospital along with our 2 and 3 year old. I threw up the whole way. I was admitted and spent the night because I was in such bad shape. They did the blood patch Monday afternoon. That was a disaster! For some reason the hospital did not hydrate me. I had one IV bag in the ER Sunday around noon time. Then when they brought me to my room for the night, no IV bag. I was given pain meRAB and other things, so I was kind of out of it. When I woke Monday morning I was begging for some water or a coke or something. I kept telling the nurses I felt so dehydrated. They said they could not give me anything because of my "surgical" procedure scheduled for later that day.

Anyway, long story is that I was so dehydrated by the time the patch was to take place, they could not find a vein. They rushed three IV bags in me and poked me over 20 times. They finally were able to get some blood from my foot.

The usual amount of blood is 20cc. They could only get barely 12cc. I was told to go home and bedrest for 24 hours. Those were my only instructions.

It has now been over 48 hours and I am moving around more. I am just so afraid to ruin the patch because it has worked! I have a 2 and 3 year old and I don't want to pick them up and ruin the patch.

Does anyone know how the patch works? Once it seals for for 48 hours, is it good to go? Can you undo the patch?? I don't even know how to call for this. An anesthesiologist performed the patch at the hospital, not my doctor, nor the dr who did the initial myelogram

Thanks!!!

 

[Andi06]

Its good that the patch worked, I find it weird that the nurses wouldn't give you IV bags especially since you were dehydrated isn't that why they admitted you along with the spinal headache, I had my headache for four days, as long as I stayed real still it didn't bother me it was just when I stood up to do something. My dad rushed me to the hospital where I was then given two IV's in one in each arm, and he almost knocked me out, also I believe they got a lot of blood because of all the IV's in my arms it worked right away they kept me for a couple of hours gave me something for the pain and let my dad take me home. I'll never ever have a myelogram again unless they give the blood patch right after to prevent the headache, I had one headache with my epidurals but they aren't taking fluid out they are putting it in so less chance of a headache, sorry for rarabling but yes they usually seal up about ten hours after, I was told to rest for two days after mine. hope that was helpful... you can always call the doctor who performed the blood patch and ask him if it is okay to pick up your kiRAB just, if you want to pick them up you can always have someone hand them to you so you don't have to bend down to do it.

Also I meant to say the anesthieologists are the nicest people they will answer just about any question you have, so I would just call the hospital er and have them page the anesthesiologist on call.