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Opening pressure from lumbar puncture

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sophie_63290
sophie_63290

Dear all, 

My husband was diagnosed with iih today after two weeks in hospital. Today's lumbar puncture revealed an opening pressure of 53cm (530mm) which seems extraordinarily high to me. Would any of you mind sharing what your opening pressure has been? Or any advice on pressure ranges? 

Kind regards,

Sophie. 

0 likes, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • chatty123
    chatty123 sophie_63290

    Posted

    Hi Sophie,

    My daughter was admitted o hospital last year (ages13 with the pain crushing headache and had emergency MR scans etc. She had an eye test to check for disk swelling. The consultant was not alarmed as the seemed to be within normal range.ie not pefectly normal but not really much wrong with them. We went home and as still the same a week later did a lumber punture which revealed pressure of 38. Thought this was high as they took pressure to 16. She then was horendous and we thought something had gone wrong but hospital said to lay down for 3/4 hours after, it turns out after speaking to others it is better to lay down for 3/4 days for your body to adjust. It is apparently most common in women and thought to be hormonal and weight related, your poor husband. I'm pleased to say my daughter has been ok since although had eye tests every 3 months to look at changes however minor.

    • sophie_63290
      sophie_63290 chatty123

      Posted

      Hello,

      Thank you for getting back to me! You must have been so worried with your daughter being that young. It does seem strange that my husband has it as he is a 27 year old, average-weight man! His first LP revealed pressure of above 40, then his second was 53. He's on new medication but can feel it building up again only 6 days after the last LP! Is your daughter on any medication? 

      Kind regards,

      Sophie. 

  • courtsheely
    courtsheely sophie_63290

    Posted

    Sophie, sorry to hear about your husband. I know my opening pressure was 40-45 and he reduced me to mid 30s which I thought was worse. My diagnoses of IIH came after a normal or I thought normal eye doctors appointment and my optical disc were swollen. My neuroopthamologist then put me on medication but we were almost at max dosage and my body couldn't take it. I ended up having surgery to have a sheath fenistration and a LP shunt placed. Since then I have been much better I just every so often have pains near my shunt valve.  I also know my doctors told me normal ranges are in the 20s for opening pressure. But I think everyone is a little different.  Hopefully you get your answers you need.

     

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