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Post Lumbar Puncture Headache

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Posted 8/28/2008 7:10 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone! I sure do need help! I have posted before and have lesions show on my mri in June so went for a LP/spinal last Thursday. Friday night I had a killer headache and I am still fighting a headache a week later. It is not as bad when I am lying down but I went to work Tuesday and was so sick i left and went back to the Dr. who gave me the LP. he said I would have had the headache immediately and must have the flu. However, online it says this can develop 24-48 hours after and can include back ache and an upset stomach, which I have only after staying up right for awhile. I have told no one I had this test for various reasons. I am looking to you who have had this test for some answers. I just got home from work and I feel awful because my head is throbbing. Any advice or experiences you have had with this, I would appreciate. I have to get back on my feet and am discouraged!
Posted 8/28/2008 7:28 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Mpj,

 

I know we discussed this in chat, and I’m sorry you’re still having the headache. I was flat on my back with the headache for almost a week, but then I gradually became able to sit up for longer and longer periods of time before the pain would come back. At the one week mark I could sit up, but after an hour or so the headache would come back until I went back to bed. It can be very discouraging, but the best thing to do is to lie back down when you have the pain so you can heal, and drink plenty of fluids. In most instances this is something that will resolve on its own, but it can take 7-10 days. Below is some info on how to deal with the headache (scroll down to the bottom of the page), and if you continue to have problems you should notify your doc one more time.

 

 

(http://my.clevelandclinic.org/services/lumbar_puncture/ns_overview.aspx)

Posted 8/28/2008 7:44 PM (GMT 0)
Thank-you so much, I really think this is the cause and not the flu. As i do not generally get such a head ache with the flu and my eyes really bother me, they just seem tired and achy. I will not get results until September 23rd but do you think this could be a sign that the lesions are caused by ms. I know I just have to wait but the waiting is hard. before the LP i have continually had a sore ache in the back of my head on the right side. I also am extremely fatigued and must work this year so I am praying it is not ms. However, I will have to deal with that when I know. Thanks.
Posted 8/28/2008 7:57 PM (GMT 0)
Hey mpj123

I'm so sorry! That is an aweful pain! I agree with Sunny...try to lay down and stay there as much as u can. When u'r up, be careful not to exhert u'rself in u'r activities and lay back down as soon as u begin to feel any pain returning. Along the fluids line, try to get some caffiene drinks in too. I was told that caffiene would help alleviate the pain sooner. Take care of u'rself and do let u'r doc know if this continues. It does seem probable that this is unrelated to the flu and more likely due to this lp. Rest friend and don't push to be up just yet.
Posted 8/28/2008 8:05 PM (GMT 0)

Hi again Mpj,

 

I am certainly not a doctor and can’t tell you if you have MS or not, but I believe the post lp headache is caused by the lumbar puncture itself, and it totally unrelated to MS. In fact, anyone who undergoes this procedure can develop the headache (as I recall it is caused by a small CSF leak). Hang in there…I know the waiting is really scary, especially when you don’t feel well. You will get through this though, and we are here for you.

 

Sunny

Posted 8/28/2008 8:35 PM (GMT 0)
I don't usually post on this board but the thread's title caught my eye. I don't have MS, but I had a lumbar puncture earlier this year due to a high fever and had a severe post-LP spinal headache that caused me to projectile vomit, excruciating pain upon sitting up, etc. for a week straight. This kind of headache is caused by a small CSF leak, as sunnycitrus said, and will eventually heal on its own. However, if it's really bad, an anesthesiologist can give you a blood patch, in which several cc's of blood are taken from a vein in your arm and injected into your spine (at the site of the LP) to form a clot around the leak - this is an instantaneous fix! You still have to be very careful and lie on your back or the patch could dislodge and the pain would return, but it's something to consider if you're really suffering!
Posted 8/28/2008 9:26 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone.. I guess I just need to wait it out. However, I have to work, my first week back at school after a year off. Fortunately, it is just meetings but today I had to do a presentation and now have to feed the kids! I am pushing myself but as long as it goes away eventually. I am looking for a quick fix!
Posted 8/29/2008 12:22 AM (GMT 0)
Actually, you might try some caffeine therapy...I remember when I was in the ER for my headache they gave me an IV of pure caffeine. You can try it in the form of coffee, Midol, or Excedrin, but it's a known (and pretty effective) headache-reducer.
Posted 8/31/2008 6:14 AM (GMT 0)
I just had a LP last Tuesday and I know how you feel. Migraine Excedrine along with lots of coffee has helped me and lay down flat. I also was told at Cleveland Clinic that I could get a blood patch it that did not work, its a small procedure, they say, where they inject your own blood back into where the LP was to help it clot? Not sure I have thoses facts right though. Try the coffee and excederine first, best of luck to you...hope you get relief soon, blessings~Katie
Posted 9/3/2008 8:40 PM (GMT 0)
I had the LP headache hell for 12 days!!!! I could only sit up for 5 minutes at a time before id scream in pain from the headaches. Also i couldnt walk for the first 2 days and i was vomiting all day long. It kind of reminded me of that time i guzzled 1.75 liters of vodka. Then woke up the next day OUCH! Except the headaches were 10 times worse! By the 11th day i figured out coffee helps alot. Im getting the blood patch next time for sure, i must be a heavy leaker
Posted 9/3/2008 11:58 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Everyone

Just to clear things up...yes, the blood patch is where ur own blood is injected into the location of the lp. It acts to clot and fill or plug the opening and prevent further spinal fluid leakage...which is what is causing the headache. Best wishes to u all. Tho this can be a painful...very painful!...proceedure, it's often very revealing.
Posted 9/6/2008 12:52 AM (GMT 0)

Hello,

      my son just recovered from a spinal headache. The doctor wanted to go with the wait and see method but with bedrest and believe it or not had to drink 2 Redbulls per day. Caffeine helps this condition. We talked about the blood patch but we didn't have to do that. It took 2 weeks but it finally resolved by itself. Good luck to you!!

Sincerely, Nicaribbean

Posted 9/6/2008 12:16 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Nic, yep caffiene definatly helpled and I also got some red bull. Thanks~Katie

Posted 9/6/2008 2:30 PM (GMT 0)
Saturday noon

 

Dear mjp123:

 

 I had a spinal tap @20 years ago....and was in the hospital for other reasons.

 

An Intern performed the tap....it was at 8:00p.m....and I  never got out of bed...and fell asleep and had zero problems.

 

Did you get up out of bed post tap?

 

I have heard that you need to stay in bed for an hour...

 

How about you?

 

John

 

 

Posted 9/16/2008 6:43 PM (GMT 0)

Hi

I  just had a lumbar puncture Sunday am........It is now Tues. afternoon & I CANT get up! The pain in my head is SOO severe. When I lie down, its fine.

I feel pressure in my ears too. I've been lying here for 2 days.

I'm hoping to get some help/questions answered by you, 

The ER told me come back for a bloodpatch.

My MD told me wait 1 week?

What exactly am I waiting to happen?

Will the spinal fluid come back or will I be like this forever??  Is it dangerous not having this fluid & how does it reguvinate?

PLEASE HELP! mad

thx

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