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Original poster

Lumbar Puncture experiences

14 replies

stressedandlonely · 17/02/2015 11:54

I had a lumbar puncture on Thursday and am still suffering with the post lp symptoms ( headache from hell, neck pain, nausea, can't stand up for long etc). Can anyone share their experience and tell me when the symptoms eased. Also, has anyone had a blood patch? What was it like? How long did it take?

My l.p. was awful, 5 attempts and well over an hour :-(

OP posts:
needtodestress · 17/02/2015 13:33

I had a lumbar puncture back in the summer. Because it was because of viral meningitis I had horrid headaches and neck ache anyway. The systoms you say you have I had but I don't know whether it was down to the procedure or whether it was because I had got viral meningitis and also an unknown infection as well in my body at the same time. I was lucky as mine was done first attempt and if you can appreciate so ill was I think I would have agreed to give birth to the world's largest baby naturally to feel better. Have you mentioned it to your GP or the hospital?

Original poster
stressedandlonely · 17/02/2015 14:13

Yes, I called the doctor who advised giving it another day then going for a blood patch if no better. I can totally sympathise, I had suspected viral meningitis a few years ago and they had 6 attempts at l.p. but couldn't get any fluid to confirm diagnosis...I asked them to stop in the end :-(

OP posts:
wfrances · 17/02/2015 17:45

ds 10 had one in august
he didnt feel a thing ,had a mild sedative (awake but high as a kite)

were you told to lie flat for at least 1.5 hours?
that was the worst part ,trying to keep a high 10 year old lying flat and not moving.
he had no
side effects at all .
we were told the reason he had to lie flat was to stop headaches/nausea ect
but he did suffer awful back pain around the site for nearly 2 weeks
needed constant calpol and was in tears.

Original poster
stressedandlonely · 17/02/2015 19:44

Oh your poor ds, how awful...I was told to lie flat if I got a headache but got up and walked round 20 mins after the procedure as no one advised I should lie flat afterwards (which I now wish I had)

OP posts:
wfrances · 17/02/2015 20:04

i cant believe you werent instucted to lie flat for a few hours!
thats basic after care advice.
they were very insistent , he even had to wee lying down.

Original poster
stressedandlonely · 17/02/2015 21:39

Having spoken with a few people since, neither can I! I wasn't admitted, so only came in as a day patient,had the puncture then was on my way home half an hour later! I'm dreading having a blood patch as I've heard there is a risk of the same happening again...

OP posts:
LadySybilLikesSloeGin · 17/02/2015 21:44

Are you able to pop to your GP and get some proper pain relief?

I had one 5 years ago. I was a muppet and didn't lie down for long enough. I had your symptoms for 2 weeks after (took the doctor a lot of attempts to get the right spot too).

I hope you're OK Thanks

needtodestress · 18/02/2015 07:22

Can not believe you were not told to lie flat for at least an hour minimum after and drink water. Hope you are feeling better today. Forgot to ask if taking any pain relief.

shouldnthavesaid · 18/02/2015 09:09

I sit in on lumbar punctures quite often - basically I hand hold! - and have been told that lying flat isn't preventive of developing a headache. I'm not sure why exactly but the registrars I've been with have never advised lying down unless patient feels especially light headed. I must admit I do wonder though as being told to lie flat seems to be so 'nornal'!

WhenMarnieWasThere · 18/02/2015 09:21

I had one last year and was my told to lie flat. I had to sit down for a while after until they were happy with my blood pressure before I could leave but that's all.

A sore back was my only side effect.

WhenMarnieWasThere · 18/02/2015 09:21

Not told.

wfrances · 18/02/2015 09:54

a consultant neurologist over saw my sons lp as he was an emergency admittance with sudden visual disturbances.
it was him who explained to us the benefit of lying flat for at least 1.5 hours
(not even 1 pillow)
i was so stressed that i cant remember the reason -sorry
my mum works in the same hospital - on the acute medical unit
where they do adult ones, and she said they are also told to lie flat for an hour.
it must be our hospital protocol .

Original poster
stressedandlonely · 18/02/2015 22:01

Thank you for your replies. I have geen prescribed painkillers and have a doctors appointment tomorrow. I am feeling a lot better than I was, but still not well at all...hoping I don't need a blood patch :-/

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needtodestress · 18/02/2015 23:11

Glad you are feeling better. Hope you get on alright at doctors tomorrow. Thinking of you Flowers

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