u/cwebst03

I’ve been leaking for about 3 months now and have been very lucky to have found great doctors who have listened and have expedited consults and procedures for me. I’m going in for my first blind blood patch tomorrow and was just curious about a realistic timeline for returning to work? I work as an RN in the CVICU so have a very physically demanding job. We’ve arranged for me to be put on modified duties (paperwork/desk job, then eventually working on the unit but no patient assignment). I was just curious if it would be reasonable to be back working a desk job 4 days after the procedure? I’ve read that recommendations and people’s experiences vary so much so it’s hard to judge what my recovery will look like. I’m an active runner, biker, and gym-goer at baseline so would love to get back to that eventually. Any insight would be really appreciated!

I’ve had positional headaches for over a month now. Based on Dr. Google, I’m having classic CSF leak symptoms. Headaches are fine in the morning then get progressively worse throughout the day, almost immediate relief lying down, shooting pain with coughing, bending over, laughing or sneezing. Pulsatile tinnitus when I flex my neck a certain way. I’ve been unable to exercise in over a month, and am really struggling to make it through a day at work.

I’ve had CT and Head MRI done without contrast, both are completely normal. Migraine meds, over the counter pain meds, physio and massage all don’t help. I feel like I’ve somehow convinced myself that I’ve made this all up. I have no diagnosis and no direction on what I should do, and how long this could go on for. Just feeling frustrated and sad.