Question 1

could a blood patch cause side effects lower in the back?

Accepted Answer

Increased back pain: A blood patch can cause a pressure sensation or tightness in your low back.  It may also cause temporary tingling in your legs.  If these symptoms persist, or you experience a fever or signs of infection, you need to see your physician asap, as it could be a sign of a major issue.  Temporary low back pain is probably ok.

Question 2

side-effects of blood patch? i've been shaky (as if lots of coffee), nauseous and foggy-headed for a few weeks since the blood patch. is it possible this is a continued csf leak or side effect of ebp?

Accepted Answer

Unlikely due to EBP: While it could be due to an ongoing CSF leak you really should follow-up with your PCM for a thorough evaluation.

Question 3

got epidural blood patch 5 weeks ago. my right side of head gets chills and a numbing feeling? what can this mean?

Accepted Answer

Unusual, but...: Dear Brenda,  having symptoms this late after a dural puncture is very unusual. I can reassure you that your symptoms most likely have nothing to do with the epidural blood patch procedure itself. The clot that was formed by injecting the blood into the epidural space was washed away after about four days.   You should consult a neurologist if the symptoms persist.

Question 4

what type(s) of meningitis would be most likely to occur from having a blood patch or epidural?

Accepted Answer

Staph meningitis: A blood patch or epidural involves injecting the spine with a needle. Therefore, the most likely contaminant would be a bacteria on the skin, driven into the spine by the needle.  Staphylococcus aureus ("staph" is the most common bacteria on the skin that is responsible for the majority of this type of infection. The incidence of meningitis after an injection is very low.

Question 5

how long does an epidural blood patch last?

Accepted Answer

Great Relief: Epidural blood patch (ebp) as a treatment for post-dural puncture headache in obstetrical anesthesia has a reported success rates in the 70% - 95% range, producing either permanent or partial relief. Rarely, a 2nd ebp will be required and it has an even higher success rate. Once a clot forms in the epidural space, headaches very rarely return.

Question 6

how much does epidural blood patch cost in the us?

Accepted Answer

Epidural costs: An epidural blood patch is a procedure that is reimbursed without regard for the time involved.  Insurance companies reimburse contracted md's at 4 to 6 units.  Medicare , medical, and blue cross pay around $100.  Other insurances pay around $200 - $500.  If you have no insurance,  $350 - $600.

Question 7

very ill after normal spinal tap and and follow up epidural blood patch. what could it be?

Accepted Answer

Postdural puncture: This sounds like you had a postdural puncture headache, which is a headache that improves after lying down.  Bed rest, fluids and caffeine usually resolve the problem after several days, but sometimes a blood patch is needed to fix the issue.

Question 8

i had an epidural blood patch done 1 week ago, i've had a permanent mild headache ever since and nightmares every night. is this normal?

Accepted Answer

Side effects: A persistent headache can be a side effect of an epidural blood patch.  Nightmares may be a reaction to the procedure or the circumstances, but are not a typical side effects to the actual epidural blood patch.

Question 9

had an epidural blood patch, does spinal fluid recover itself?, what happens with the blood that got injected in my dura? does it all go bac to normal

Accepted Answer

Blood patch outcome: The CSF replaces itself about every 8 hours.  The blood of the blood patch forms a clot near any hole in the dura, otherwise it is reabsorbed and recycled.

Question 10

the back of my head feels bruised and tender to touch, had no injury to head. got epidural blood patch due to csf leak about 4 weeks ago. what do i do?

Accepted Answer

Occipital neuralgia?: The treatment for occipital neuralgia is specific, making an accurate diagnosis essential for pain relief. See a neurologist for diagnosis and treatment.

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Doctor answers about:

Epidural blood patch side effects

A member asked:

Could a blood patch cause side effects lower in the back?

A member asked:

Side-effects of blood patch? i've been shaky (as if lots of coffee), nauseous and foggy-headed for a few weeks since the blood patch. is it possible this is a continued csf leak or side effect of ebp?

A member asked:

Got epidural blood patch 5 weeks ago. my right side of head gets chills and a numbing feeling? what can this mean?

A member asked:

What type(s) of meningitis would be most likely to occur from having a blood patch or epidural?

A member asked:

How long does an epidural blood patch last?

A member asked:

How much does epidural blood patch cost in the us?

A member asked:

Very ill after normal spinal tap and and follow up epidural blood patch. what could it be?

A member asked:

I had an epidural blood patch done 1 week ago, i've had a permanent mild headache ever since and nightmares every night. is this normal?

A member asked:

Had an epidural blood patch, does spinal fluid recover itself?, what happens with the blood that got injected in my dura? does it all go bac to normal

A member asked:

The back of my head feels bruised and tender to touch, had no injury to head. got epidural blood patch due to csf leak about 4 weeks ago. what do i do?

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