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What Causes Headache After A Lumbar Puncture Procedure?
Question: Had a lumbar puncture done on Saturday 3am ( Friday night). It's been two. Days . If I lay down I'm fine. If i stand up or sit up I have an terrible head ache. I've been to three. Er's in 1 week. I really don't want to go back but this sucks, any advise. On a 1-10 the pain in a7-9 up and down throbbing.
Brief Answer:
Pls go to doctor if pain for more than 24 hours
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Lumbar puncture headache or spinal headache occur in 40 percent of those who undergo the procedure. Of these, most resolve within 24 hours while the remaining need to be treated.
Rest is one of the mainstays of recovery and I understand your discomfort in going back to your doctor. At the ER, they will most likely treat you with an epidural blood patch or IV caffeine or injecting epidural saline.
Unfortunately, research shows that the headache may be mild and resolve spontaneously in a few days, or severe, lasting a week or longer and causing significant disability. Your doctor would be in a better position to treat you as mentioned, than if the pain not responding to rest and treatment with oral pain killers.
The spine is a delicate part of us and delaying treatment for a severe pain after lumbar puncture can be hazardous.
Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Pls go to doctor if pain for more than 24 hours
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Lumbar puncture headache or spinal headache occur in 40 percent of those who undergo the procedure. Of these, most resolve within 24 hours while the remaining need to be treated.
Rest is one of the mainstays of recovery and I understand your discomfort in going back to your doctor. At the ER, they will most likely treat you with an epidural blood patch or IV caffeine or injecting epidural saline.
Unfortunately, research shows that the headache may be mild and resolve spontaneously in a few days, or severe, lasting a week or longer and causing significant disability. Your doctor would be in a better position to treat you as mentioned, than if the pain not responding to rest and treatment with oral pain killers.
The spine is a delicate part of us and delaying treatment for a severe pain after lumbar puncture can be hazardous.
Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I jjust dont want to look like a baby but i sneezed two minutes ago and i about cried the pain in my head clenched so much for a minuutes while laying down. Would you try another day to lay down or can they do sonething. If they cant do anything i dont wanna waste my time or the doctors
Brief Answer:
Pls wait till 9am Sunday morning for improvement
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX
Thanks for writing back with an update.
Sorry to hear about your discomfort. Sneezing intensifies spinal headaches by increasing the intracranial pressure. Please refrain from coughing, sneezing, straining, or eye compression.
If you have pain only in standing position then it may resolve soon. Hope you have got enough rest after the lumbar puncture.
As mentioned earlier, the upper limit for a post lumbar puncture headache is about 24 hours. Going by statistics, any headache persisting longer than 24 hours and occurring with change in position requires a doctor to treat it. There are universal treatments for such headaches.
In your situation, at best you can wait until 9am Sunday morning to notice any improvement in pain. If you still have terrible pain then I will recommend you to see the doctor. Please
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Pls wait till 9am Sunday morning for improvement
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX
Thanks for writing back with an update.
Sorry to hear about your discomfort. Sneezing intensifies spinal headaches by increasing the intracranial pressure. Please refrain from coughing, sneezing, straining, or eye compression.
If you have pain only in standing position then it may resolve soon. Hope you have got enough rest after the lumbar puncture.
As mentioned earlier, the upper limit for a post lumbar puncture headache is about 24 hours. Going by statistics, any headache persisting longer than 24 hours and occurring with change in position requires a doctor to treat it. There are universal treatments for such headaches.
In your situation, at best you can wait until 9am Sunday morning to notice any improvement in pain. If you still have terrible pain then I will recommend you to see the doctor. Please
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you Seriously
Brief Answer:
Welcome and wish you a quick recovery
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX
Welcome.
Wishing you a quick recovery.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Welcome and wish you a quick recovery
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX
Welcome.
Wishing you a quick recovery.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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