Post C-Section Issues- Anyone ever have problems from spinal? (SUPER LONG)

I swear I am so traumatized from DS's delivery, I don't think I will be able to go for another. I hope I don't sound like a baby, but the pain I have suffered for the last month has literally been torture. They had difficulty when doing my spinal in the OR, took them 3 tries. Two tries were him hitting a nerve and me almost flying off the table. I still have this sensation of them digging around in my spine. Since the minute they rolled me out of the OR I have been complaining about back, neck and head pain. Over the course of the 3 days I was in the hospital, this was my only complaint...not the huge cut across my tummy from the baby. Nothing was ever done and unfortunately I received not too great care in the hospital because all the regular docs were away because it was presidents week. Just was told to take motrin. When I came home, things were no different, except I didn't even have the pain pills to help, I actually came on here and vented about that, and never received anything. I seriously suffered for a full week after delivery, until I got into my regular doc. Finally he listened and I was sent right over to the ER. Spent 9 hours there and NONE of the doctors could agree on the right treatment, so, I was given a valium, which did nothing and sent home. Went back to my doc again, was finally given pain pills for some relief and am now scheduled to see a neurologist. Was also told to see the head of anesthesia at the hospital, but they kind of refused to meet with me til after I see the neurologist. My only current saving grace has been the pain pills. I do not want to take them, but don't know what else to do. My back is in so much pain, I get spasms daily in my spine, that I seriously can not move until it releases, while screaming the whole time it is in spasm. The pain runs up and down my spine, up my neck, my head, my arm and legs. It is horrible and the effects from one spasm last for a while after. I have never felt so much pain in my life. I have horrible headaches too. I have had migraines in the past and these are 10 times worse.

I am so upset at the care, or lack thereof, that I received from my doctors office. I have soooo much more to vent about for the ONE doctor that I saw while in the hospital, but I will save that for now. I have enough to deal with.
The pain and everything has made me feel like I can’t even take care of my kids at times. My three year old watched me scream in pain the other day as I had a spasm, and started crying.
I really hope to get some answers from the neurologist and hope something can be done.

Has anyone dealt with anything like this after their c-section/spinal ? Anything you may have done to relieve the pain?

Sorry this turned out so long, but getting it out made me feel so good. Been keeping so much in, trying not to be a burden on hubby or my mom who have been helping with the baby and dealing with me.

Re: Post C-Section Issues- Anyone ever have problems from spinal? (SUPER LONG)

Oh man that really really sucks! I am so sorry about that! I have had back problems for years, but before I had my C-section I sat on a crappy hospital bed in a crappy position for 12 hours with amniotic fluid leaking out of me, and as a result, guess what...I had terrible Sciatica and what I had sounded a lot like you! I could barely move for about two months, it was awful! I got through it with the help of a good Physiotherapist who taught me exercises, a TENS machine (HUGE HELP!!!) and some pain killers, which I took for about six months!

I really hope that you feel better soon and get some rest in!!!!!

Re: Post C-Section Issues- Anyone ever have problems from spinal? (SUPER LONG)

My roommate in the hospital had a similar problem from the epidural she received. There's a medical name for it, I'm sorry I don't remember it. But I'll explain it in laymen's terms: basically they are supposed to inject the fluid into the spinal cavity. Sometimes the needle can slip out and the fluid leaks out and causes a bubble or pocket of fluid. This can cause pain, nausea etc. She had terrible headaches and nausea. She kept complaining and finally someone from the anesthesia dept came to see her. They ended up doing a procedure on her where they injected her own blood into that pocket...I don't know how or why this works, but it did for her.

I would def keep complaining, get a second and third opinion and call human resources or corporate headquarters of the hospital if someone from anesthesia won't see you because it sounds like something went wrong. Hope you feel better soon and good luck.

Re: Post C-Section Issues- Anyone ever have problems from spinal? (SUPER LONG)

You really should see the neurologist soon.

Sounds like post dural puncture headache. Uncommon with a spinal... But possible. Your anesthesiologist should have assessed you for it... Or even the er docs.

Is the pain better when you lie flat? Have you tried caffeine? If not... It may help.

Sorry... Sounds awful.

Message edited 3/15/2011 10:24:39 PM.

Re: Post C-Section Issues- Anyone ever have problems from spinal? (SUPER LONG)

Yes, but on a smaller scale.My regular Dr. is a DO and does osteopathic manipulation (sp? ) and told me it had to do with spinal fluid and the spine etc etc. and within 4 sessions with him I felt about 90% better. I would suggest seeing a DO for that or a chiropractor.

Re: Post C-Section Issues- Anyone ever have problems from spinal? (SUPER LONG)

Re: Post C-Section Issues- Anyone ever have problems from spinal? (SUPER LONG)

That is the thing the two docs in the ER could not agree on. The ER doc felt that it was a spinal fluid leak and the blood patch would fix it, but the anesthesiologist did not think that was what it was and since they basically could not agree, nothing was done. I was supposed to go meet with the head of anesthesia at Winthrop, but the doctor that called me back finally said he is out for a few weeks and that based on what I described, he thinks I should see a neuro before going in to them. I have the neuro on Monday, it was the earliest I could get.

Re: Post C-Section Issues- Anyone ever have problems from spinal? (SUPER LONG)

Posted by justthe4ofus

Posted by DomesticDeeva

My roommate in the hospital had a similar problem from the epidural she received. There's a medical name for it, I'm sorry I don't remember it. But I'll explain it in laymen's terms: basically they are supposed to inject the fluid into the spinal cavity. Sometimes the needle can slip out and the fluid leaks out and causes a bubble or pocket of fluid. This can cause pain, nausea etc. She had terrible headaches and nausea. She kept complaining and finally someone from the anesthesia dept came to see her. They ended up doing a procedure on her where they injected her own blood into that pocket...I don't know how or why this works, but it did for her.

I would def keep complaining, get a second and third opinion and call human resources or corporate headquarters of the hospital if someone from anesthesia won't see you because it sounds like something went wrong. Hope you feel better soon and good luck.

I think it's called a blood patch. Jaime did anyone mention doing that for you yet?? I hope you feel better soon

Re: Post C-Section Issues- Anyone ever have problems from spinal? (SUPER LONG)