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Posted 9/20/2008 10:40 PM (GMT 0)
NEED HELP!

I had a Lumbar Puncture on Sept 5th. Had no idea going in about this headache. I was told by my neurologist I could have a headache for a few days...NO BIG DEAL...We'll it has been a Big Deal. It is now Sept 20th and I still have this headache. And it's not so much an ache but a Pressure on the sides of my head - feeling my head pulsating when I try to talk - take steps things like that. THe headache has certainly gotten better from the first week and the Blood Patch did help but I am still struggling with this. I don't think I can work with this as I have been out of work for 2 weeks. I have nausea with this as well. I talked to my Doctors assistant who replied back that this doesn't go on past 2 weeks, but from what I have learned online it can. What a nightmare? Any suggestions - ever since the blood patch 2 days ago caffeine intake actually seems to be working so I can function but I don't know how long that will last? I am so scared - so confused - so frustrated...I am a husband a father of 2 and have never had headaches before this...Does anyone have any good advice for me - is there anything I can do? I feel like I am sinking into depression with this? Has anybody in here taken longer than 2 weeks to get better? Thanks for reading this

SM

Posted 9/21/2008 12:43 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Seamatty

I'm so sorry!! That kind of pain is debilitating. I've not heard of anyone not getting full relief from the blood patch, but that doesn't mean it doesn't happen that way. Please don't feel alone. This is going to get better, tho right now i'm sure it doesn't feel that way. U'r doing the right thing in taking in as much caffiene as u can. Get LOTS of water and caffiene and continue to lay flat as much as u can. Could this have become a migraine??? Have u ever had them?? It's funny how they work...many many things can trigger them and even if u've never had one before u could be having one now. It would be well worth it to bring this up to u'r doc asap. If it's not MUCH better soon, i'd be going to the ER. Be sure to give them the history, but ask if there is a medication that u can safely use that could be helpful in knocking out a migraine. I suspect that would be a lot of relief for u. I have migraines in my eye and once had to go get a shot at an after hours clinic. It was not like the normal meds given to fully knock it out, but it did help. I'm sure any relief right now would be welcomed.

Take care of u'rself friend. I'm so sorry u have this pain, but so glad u've come here. Please do let us know how u are. Rest. Try to give u'rself all the time and rest u can to get better. I'll keep u in my thoughts and prayers for the wekend.
Posted 9/21/2008 3:57 AM (GMT 0)
That sounds really bad.  I would be going to the ER as well.  This sounds like a serious reaction. 

Posted 9/21/2008 5:48 AM (GMT 0)
thanks - I've contacted my Doctor...She seems to think I need to just wait it out...She says a 2nd blood patch is an option - but she said that 90% of these are gone within 6 weeks...I certainly don't want another patch - so as long as I can function I guess I'll give it time. Thank you so much for your input...And Rhondab - no I have never had migraines - Perhaps this LP triggered migraines in me...I dunno - But I hope not cause these seem to be 24-7...I feel like things are getting better - I wonder if for some people the blood patch can take a day or 2 to work...I felt relief immediatly - then partial the next day - then more today...Who knows - maybe the clot is working?
Posted 9/21/2008 11:41 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Matty,

I too still have a headache today (8 days after the lumbar).  Its NOT like it was the first 5 days. I couldn't get up for a minute!!

Im up & around now but I still have this lingering, annoying pressure on the top of my head.  I cant seem to consentrate because its always there.  I also feel as if its just not going to go away completely & I've been in bed for 1 week. 

I think by now, I should be able to jump up & dwn,  ya know?

How are you feeling today?  Are there any risks (such as blood clots)  to the patch?

Im just so frustrated.

Posted 9/21/2008 11:51 PM (GMT 0)

Oh...I also wanted to ask you,  how bad were you feeling on the 11day since they decided to do the Blood Patch?

Was it still debilitating?  What is your Neurologist saying now?  I saw mine on Friday  (Today is Sunday) & he seems to think I should just wait too. Not like I have much of a choice do I?

Im wondering if they'll decide to do a patch for me or just let it ride?  To my knowledge,  the tiny hole could take more time to heal........Perhaps ours is taking longer? 

I m sorry I dont have answers, as I am right there in the same boat.

I thought I was feeling better today & FINALLY went out to the park with my son but I just couldnt run around. This pressure headache was annoying me that I ended up coming home right after. Certainly starting to upset me.  Its right at the top of my head.

Posted 9/28/2008 3:10 AM (GMT 0)
Yeah - I am on over 3 weeks and I am still having headache since blood patch. It's better - but by the end of the day I sure can still feel it...Did you end up getting the blood patch - how are you feeling? It's like this hand in the cosmos is pushing you down isn't it...Very frustrating...I am sick of this!

Posted 9/28/2008 10:44 PM (GMT 0)
Hi SeaMat,

My headache is Finally gone!  It was A process..........Lil by Lil & I mean Lil By Lil.

I would think as long as you feel a "LITTLE" bit better each day, it'll be going away soon.

I never got the patch. My Dr kept saying, just wait.......Dont worry,  She reassured me it WOULD go away. She said the same......if its getting better, not worse, its going to go away & it did.

I know you are frustrated. I SWORE never to have another lumbar puncture again!

I hope that you feel better each day & Im assuming you are. Is that true?  If not, Sometimes a repeat patch can speed up the process.

Let me know how you are doing,  :-))

 

Posted 9/28/2008 11:03 PM (GMT 0)
Unfortunately I am past 3 weeks and still having this headache - I have to take loads of caffeine to get through the day. I am so frustrated. It has brought me to tears...I feel my zeal for my life slowly fading! How long did yours take to go - and is it completely gone now - no probs - I worked out Saturday morn on caffeine and I made it through but my Saturday night about 5:30 pressure came back...I don't know what to do anymore???
Posted 9/28/2008 11:07 PM (GMT 0)

Mine took exactly 11 days.  Did you have a headache before this?  What type of headache is it?  When you bend only,  ect? 

I know you are frustrated. I was really concerned about mine but i want to comfort you by saying the Only reason you would still have a headache due to the LP would be if the hole has not closed. Sometimes, it does take time! This is why I ask if you are getting a lil better each day?  Do you feel the same/worse?

Posted 9/29/2008 4:00 AM (GMT 0)
I feel like now with high doses of caffeine I can function...But it feels like pressure on the front of my head - sometimes behind my eyes - coughing and yes bending over would make it worse - looking up...I also have pressure in my ears - like I always have to pop them...I dunno - kinda wierd - With caffeine I can function but I am taking like 3/4 of a gram a day! And I'm not a caffeine guy!!!

Is yours completely gone - meaning you can't feel it at all?
Posted 9/29/2008 4:56 PM (GMT 0)

Yes, mine is completely gone although the last 2 days I had a really bad pressure in my ears. I felt like I was under water & when I walked fast or bent over my head felt really bad!

As I said, the Dr said just wait & it will get better.

I hope yours does too.

Posted 10/17/2008 12:06 PM (GMT 0)

I had a lumbar puncture procedure done just over a week ago and 48 hours later started to get the most horrific headaches which could only be relieved by lying flat.  I was told by my doctor that bed rest and drinking plenty of fluids is the only cure.  I am still having the headaches and is now accompanied by lower back pain. I am so tired and fed up with this and suspect my boss at work is too. Could anyone tell me is it doing more harm than good to try and carry on as normal, ie being more upright and mobile.  I drive a lot for my work and need to consider getting back behind the wheel but I am a bit scared to as the pain and pressure might be too much to cope with when driving.  I wasn't told of the side effects of the procedure so it has come as a bit of a shock to the system.  Its a bit ironic that the reason for the lumbar puncture in the first place was because I was having bad headaches!  Thankfully tests were clear.   Any advice would be very much appreciated.

Posted 4/7/2009 8:17 PM (GMT 0)
enchanted, i was told to stay in bed and drink plenty of fluids. something i found very uncomfortable waas the actual just laying in bed muscle cramps and soar neck from not being as comfortable as i wanna be.

on another note, i also was unto0ld of the seriousness that is the reprecussions of getting a spinal tap. it is the beginning of the quarter at school and i have missed everday so far except 1. no doctors said i could be out this long, no doctor explained to me what exactly i need to do afterward and no one explained the science to me until aboout 4 days later, after the fact i had gone through serious muscle pains before hand.

i swear to never get another puncture as long as i live!!!!

feel better, im still working ongetting better, and its been 7 days...
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