How to Prepare for an Epidural Blood Patch

An epidural blood patch is an invasive treatment used to try to stop a leak in your spinal fluid. Here is how to prepare for your blood patch, and what to expect.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Someone to drive you home

1. First, check with your doctor, hospital, or clinic to find out if there are requirements about fasting prior to the procedure. Typically you are asked not to eat or drink anything 6 hours prior, but some places will allow you to drink clear fluids.

2. Try to relax - you're probably getting the blood patch done because you've had such horrible headaches or pains from leaking spinal fluid. Remember - this blood patch should help you feel better!

3. Arrive at your appointment with someone to drive you home. You are not supposed to drive yourself home after this procedure.

4. Don't forget to use the bathroom!

5. What to expect: First, you will probably have your vitals taken (blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen level, and possibly weight).

6. Next, an anaesthesiologist or one of the other doctors on your team should talk to you about your symptoms and what the procedure will entail. You will probably have to sign consent papers.

7. You will be taken to the room where your procedure will be done. You may have several doctors working on your epidural blood patch. They will probably have you lie on your stomach, but it is possible you will be on your side.

8. Your back will be numbed up with a few shots before they begin. The injections of the numbing medicine are similar to those that you would have for a spinal tap or epidural.

9. Once you are numbed, they will prepare a needle that will be put into your back in the epidural space.

10. Next, they will draw blood from your arm, wrist, or an area where they can get a good vein. This blood is collected, and then brought to your back.

11. The blood is then put through the needle in your back into the epidural space. This blood will hopefully clot the area where you are leaking spinal fluid. You will help the doctors determine when there is too much pressure, which will indicate to them how much blood they will put into your epidural space.

12. You'll get a little bandaid on your back, and out you go! You will probably lie flat for a couple minutes, and then gradually be brought to a sitting position while they continue to take your vitals.

13. Finally, you will be released to have someone drive you home. You will be instructed to drink a lot of fluid and probably lie down. Hopefully your headaches will clear within two days!

Tips & Warnings

• Always consult your doctor if you have questions about your procedure.
• This article was not written by a doctor, but by someone who has gone through the blood patch procedure and wanted to share what exactly it was like.

[iamageniuster]

on 10/22/2008 Excellent tips. 5 stars! Thanks for the article.