Complications

While C appeared to recover from the episode that sent him to the ER in the first place, he soon developed a horrific headache. Tylenol didn't help much. Two different people told us they thought it could be from the lumbar puncture (LP) he had at the ER.

About 40% of people who undergo an LP develop a spinal headache within 24 hours of the procedure because they develop a tiny leak of spinal fluid. In most cases, the body repairs this leak within the next 24 hours. One nurse friend recognized what was occurring and told C to lie down to relieve the pressure. As long as he did that, he was fine. She advised us to go immediately to the local children's hospital in case he needed an additional procedure to repair the leak. 

That ER visit was a frustrating one. After a long wait and an extensive evaluation, the doctor sent us back home to wait it out. He wanted to give C's body more time to heal before making him undergo another procedure. Our instructions were to keep him lying down to relieve the headache while giving him Tylenol and LOTS of fluids, preferably loaded with caffeine. Oddly, caffeine helps because it restricts blood vessels in the brain. The doc wanted us to wait another 36 hours. I thought SuperD was going to have an aneurysm! Watching his son wrythe in pain was almost more than he could bear.

So, about 72 hours after the LP, we made our third trip to the ER. This time, they admitted C to the hospital so that they could perform a blood patch. This procedure happened in the sterile environment of the OR, with two anesthesiologists on hand. One monitored the anesthesia, while the other drew a small amount of C's blood and injected it back into the area near the original puncture. This blood formed a clot at the site of the leak, relieved the pressure on the brain and spinal cord, and stopped the headache.
 

The relief occurs almost immediately. Unfortunately, anesthesia also can cause a headache, so C's head still hurt for a little while, but the pain was not as intense.

Within an hour, C was was not only sitting up, but he was anxious to explore the hospital! 

I thank God for my friend, Trish, who sent us to the children's hospital, brought items to the hospital that we had forgotten to bring, and sat with us while we waited in the ER. She spends all week at the hospital as it is but didn't hesitate to wait with me. She and her daughter, A's best friend, kept my daughter company while we spoke with the doctor.