Headache after lumbar puncture

Posted , 3 users are following.

i had a lumbar puncture on Wednesday- it is now Sunday and I'm still practically bedridden from a headache. Every time i try to stand or sit up my head starts hurting and i only get relief when i lay down again.

Just wondering if anyone else has had similar experiences? I have spoken to a dr who said they think its the side effects from the lumbar puncture. It's getting me rather down now and I am so fed up by it all.

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2 Replies

  • Posted

    im not a medic - but a family member had this - try GRADUALLY PROPPING YOURSELF UP A FRACTION AT A TIME - stay in each fraction an hour or two _ then prop up a bit more -

    it will take a couple of days to achieve a more upright bed position but it helps retrain you to vertical .

    as soon as you feel ok a fraction raised - go up a tiny bit more - ( with pillows or even better a bed that raises up )

    drink loads of fluids - and coffee -

    if this doesnt work insist on going back to see specialist neurologist at hospital

  • Posted

    HI Kayleigh

    I was In the same position about 7 months ago. It took about a week for mine to begin to go but I thought my life was over - had read a lot of horror stories online and kept reading online that a blood patch would be needed before it would stop. When I went back to the hospital they said to give it two weeks before they would consider a blood patch.

    I spent a good week contemplating my new life laying horizontal (I was planning on trying to become a blogger) I was obviously being dramatic but the pain was so intense and did not ease up at all.

    I also read some research online that it is very common is young females with a low bmi.

    Hope this helps in some way - give it time, you’ll get there !

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