Pain & small swelling on spine?

[dogdaysandcatnights]

I will go to GP tomorrow morning, but any thoughts in the meantime welcome -

I had a failed lumber puncture (followed by one in theatre that was fine) in February and since then have had what felt like bruising it was slowly getting better and only noticeable when getting into bed, that final curl up moment would hurt. So was thinking it is probably time to see a GP.

Today my lower back felt in more pain then normal & did not get better once up, pain with every step I took and when I sat in the car the seat seemed to press against my back all causing me pain. This has stayed the same all day, I can also feel a swollen area/an area with fluid on my spine. My husband can also feel the fluid area, looking at an image on the Internet this is about L3/L4 - but a guess as not used that terminology before & hard to see exact area.

This either has nothing to do with the failed LP or it does, but the swelling is distinctive. No other symptoms-except pain on walking, moving and the clear swelling...

Any advice welcome - Phoning GP at 0800 and taken Ibuprofen today.

It'd be pretty unusual to develop a CSF leak (which I think is what you're worried about) 4 months after an LP - the hole heals up pretty quickly usually. It'd also be odd to develop one big enough to cause sudden skin swelling without causing the main symptom of a CSF leak (which is a severe postural headache caused by a sudden loss of the fluid cushioning the brain). That said, I guess nothing's impossible. Needs looking at and possibly some imaging depending on what the GP thinks it might be, but it's probably nothing to do with the LP. It doesn't sound like it from your post, but if there are any signs of infection (redness/warmth/pus/you feeling generally unwell) it probably needs looking at tonight, but otherwise good luck tomorrow. (DOI I do a lot of LPs).

Thanks for replying. I think the LP site is coincidence but thought it worth mentioning in the original post. Very strange as very similar site to the failed attempt.

There is a clear swollen pocket which is super painful on my lower spine, in bed any moment hurts.

Will see what the GP says in the morning.

GP can see and feel the swelling on the Lowe spine.

She thinks it could be bruising/swelling from first failed LP or a separate problem that has just come on. Two weeks with naproxen to see if swelling reduces and pain goes, if not will get a referral to investigate further.