1. Community
  2. Brain and nerves
  3. Spinal Problems

HELP!!!LUMBAR PUNCTURE-INTENSE BACK PAIN!!!

Posted , 18 users are following.

CelticGyrl
CelticGyrl

I had a lumbar puncture done last night at the ER to rule out Meningitis. The ER Doc tried 2x and couldn't get it. Then they called for Anesth to come and do it he had to do it 2x and FINALLY got the sample. BUT, the back pain I am having today is UNRELENTING!!! I cannot sit or stand without excruciating pain and pressure, it feels like something is pushing out my back!! I don't know what I should do. Is this normal? Has ANYONE ever had this happen to them??

4 likes, 110 replies

110 Replies

Next
  • buggsy1000
    buggsy1000 CelticGyrl

    Posted

    Hey, I am sorry to hear this has happen to you, I am not a Dr or any type of medic, forgive me for a little about experience as I don't want to alarm you further but will tell you my story. about 10yrs ago I was suffering with severe headaches for a few days, I went to see my G.P and explained that I had them for 2 days and thought I should get checked out, upon examination when I said to the G.P it was like I had been hit in the head with a sledge hammer and I was sensitive to the light, he immidiatly called for an ambulance

    and was rushed to hospital for a lumbar puncture and other tests,after a C.T scan I then had to go for a lumber puntcture, i was seen by a junior DR and she asked if I was happy for her to carry out this procedure and said she had done lots in her training but still needed to do further ones to be signed off, sadly she missed me on 3 goes but while she was doing it I was crying with pain, and said that I kept getting electrical shocks type pain but in my ( male parts ), on the 3rd go while she was in she was rotating the needle to which I found out was a massive error on her part, like you an anest how got it first time, I complained to him and said I now had bad back pain, they agreed to keep me in overnight while they waiting on results, this is the worst part now and don't wish to scare you, my back pain got a lot worse overnight and I was complaining of numbness in my legs, I was seen and had a full neuro test, I had severe weekness in my legs and was rushed to a major spinal centre, had a further scan and it showed massive swelling around the lumbar sites and it was compressing the spinal cord, I ended up in hospital for 15 days and had lost all feeling in my legs and couldn't walk, I also got an infection in the spinal cord, eventually I started feeing better and on day 15 was able to go home but was in a wheel chair for 3 months.

    After your lumber puncture did they let you go straight home??

    I would get yourself straight back to a medical centre, do not leave it anything to do with your spine is not worth risking. Keep us updated, I am sure you will be ok and hope you don't have big problems like me.

    Regards

    • CelticGyrl
      CelticGyrl buggsy1000

      Posted

      I had it done and they kept me for about 2 hours to wait for the results, after they came back ok they let me come home. While they did the punctures I did get the pain that I felt down my leg and literally screamed. Leaving the ER I has some soreness which I would only assume to be normal considering they stuck me 4x. But today the pain has been unrelenting and it just seems to be getting worse. I don't know what to do, I don't want to go back to the ER and they just say oh ya this is normal and basically just tell me to suck it up......ugh, this is SO FRUSTRATING!!! The scariest part is I did have a 2 level decompression with Laminectomy at L5 10 years ago, so I do have pain meds to help with that now and than, so I have been taking the max doses and I am STILL in this much pain!!!! I just don't know!!!

      I am SORRY to hear of your experience!!!

    • buggsy1000
      buggsy1000 CelticGyrl

      Posted

      Hello, I had a double level spinal fusion and decompression coming up to 2 yrs ago on l5/s1 and L4. Sadly the fusion has failed and now have been told there is nothing further they can do other than pain medication for life, this is the good old NHS In UK.

      I really wouldn't risk your pain, it could very well be that the lumbar puncture might have caused some swelling so you might have pain for few days, but it's worth getting checked out for price of mind.

      Again I will keep fingers crossed for you that it's nothing major.

      X 😀

    • kathy80845
      kathy80845 CelticGyrl

      Posted

      Hi, my son just had this done yesterday and is complaining of back pain today.  Can you tell me if your back pain resolved?  Thanks so much for your post!
    • linda1718
      linda1718 buggsy1000

      Posted

      I cannot understand why you would tell the girl/lady this stuff when you knew she was really worried! You are a great help, not!!
    • buggsy1000
      buggsy1000 linda1718

      Posted

      Linda, what's your comment about and too who.... This conversation is over 7 months old and I don't see a issue with my reply. People was asked a question and what I wrote was my story and what happened to myself with similar issues and procedure the Celtic had, I used this to try to pursuade Celtic to seek advice and not leave it..... I see no reason for your comment ( 7 months later ) and indeed Celtic actually went back to hospital and was admitted for a error, had she not listened to people's advice and stories she might never have gone back from fear of thinking that the Dr might just have shrugged there shoulders!

      Celtic, if my post upset you in anyway then I am sorry to you but in the context it was meant was with good advice, and hope you are all fully recovered now.

    • linda1718
      linda1718 buggsy1000

      Posted

      Bugsy, I'm really sorry, I didn't notice the posts were 7 months ago until it was too late. I can appreciate what you were trying to do once I started reading a lot more of the posts and thank goodness she did take your advice. 

      I haven't been on here a long time but I have surely learnt my lesson tonight and if I have to post a question some day I hope you will have forgiven me and you will reply.

      Linda

    • buggsy1000
      buggsy1000 linda1718

      Posted

      Hi Linda

      No offence taken at all, I just didn't want something I had written about to make someone angry or upset. We all have a story to tell or advice we can give to people, and I am glad Celtic listened at the time to myself and others. Sometimes I find the scare tactic of what's happened to someone else enough to go back to seek a second opinion.

      Hope all well with you ?? I am still waiting for my spinal cord stimulator to be implanted. Only now been 10 months since seeing the surgeon, but that's the good old NHS for you.

      Regards

      George :-)

    • linda1718
      linda1718 buggsy1000

      Posted

      George, thank you so much, lesson learnt for me tonight!

      You're lucky it's only 10 months I'm closer to 8 years! Mine is a very long story, I always say to people I will tell you another time, maybe it's time I told it to everyone, it would be a really long post! I am taking legal action so I need to be careful what I say. I'm having my second operation in September, don't know what date yet so legal stuff on hold - for now.

      Hope you get sorted soon, I never heard of spinal cord stimulator until I came on here.

      Linda

    • asim82
      asim82 linda1718

      Posted

      Hello,

      i know its too late but just want to ask about the situation, actually i am in between the same kind of problem. waiting for your reply.

      Thanks

    • linda1718
      linda1718 asim82

      Posted

      Hi Asim,

      This is all so long ago! Can you explain what it is exactly you want to know.

      Regards

      Linda

  • lindagkelly
    lindagkelly CelticGyrl

    Posted

    So sorry! When did they do that!  I had doctor take a sample of the bone in my spine once and that was very painful! It only hurt 2 or 3 days, but not as bad as what you are explaining.   And I also had a spinal tap which I believe is what you had, but I had to go see a specialist who used fluoroscopy (x-ray)  I looked up the possible risks and back pain is definitely a risk.  Here's what it said:  "Back discomfort or pain. You may feel pain or tenderness in your lower back after the procedure. The pain might radiate down the back of your legs."  You sou d a little worse than that.  You may have to go back to the hospital.

    Good luck.  I am so sorry you are going through this.

    • CelticGyrl
      CelticGyrl lindagkelly

      Posted

      I had it done about 24 hours ago. I wish there was a way to post pictures cuz the swelling I have is CRAZY!!! I just don't want to go to the ER if they are gonna shrug their shoulders and be like 'this is normal' then I feel like I am wasting people's time......SO FRUSTRATING!!
  • cynthia70714
    cynthia70714 CelticGyrl

    Posted

    Cekticgyrl,

    I mean you should just have discomfort, not that kind of pain, only thing I can think is because they did it so many times they bruised you good, keep an eye on it if it doesn't feel any better than go back to where you had it done. I hope this help, but you should just have some discomfort,

    Good luck

    Keep us updated!!

    Feel better,

    Cynthia ( cindy)

Back to top
Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.