Hi Everyone,
So, today I’ve had to phone in sick, first time in 3 years! I woke with my right leg feeling heavy as i tried to walk. My back is still hurting me from the lumbar puncture i had at weekend. Is this normal? Feel dizzy., head feels like it’s going to drop off. Is this normal. Thanks Nicola
I had a lumbar puncture a couple of years ago. They warned me I might have a headache after. They said to contact them if it persisted but I can’t remember how long they said to wait, because I didn’t get one. Did they give you any information like that? If you’re worried I’d suggest you give the clinic or whoever it was a call.
Having said that it was such a painful and traumatic experience that it took me about a week to stop wanting to curl up under a duvet whimpering, because it took them 2 hours to get the needle in a good place, and when they hit nerves it was horrendously painful all down one leg. I think that’s not normal. It felt like a total physical violation.
Hi,
Yes the doc tell me to ring if pain persisted. I’ve just been taking pain killers to ease the pain when i get it.
I’ve got 2 children and had epidural for both so wasn’t too bad as she used numbing gel.
I’m so sorry to hear that you had such a painful and traumatic experience.
I just keeping tearing up, it feels like my life has just done a whole 360 on me.
Nik
I hope the headache stops soon. Google says headaches and back plain can last a week, and drink lots of fluids. You’re entitled to feel sorry for yourself, have a good cry and let it all out if you want to. They stuck a big needle into your spine, it’s not surprising if it hurts afterwards. I think doctors underestimate how much their Routine Procedures affect people.
Kit,
Me too. It’s my own fault i didn’t rest for the 24 hours as she told me too.
I felt guilty messaging work to say i can’t come in today as felt worse. My husband said your health come first now. Thank you, I’m an emotional person at the best of times but knowing I’ve got this is tipping me over the edge :
Basically lumbar punture was a pest. With the headaches, as well as a pain killer, coffee helped take the edge off a little bit. Theory is more fluid gets taken up to the brain due to the caffeine. Best of luck
Paul
Aww thank you Paul. I love having black coffee, I seem to have gone of it though. I have been drinking lots of water, resulting me going to the loo loads.
Hello Nicola.
I’m afraid to say that the post LP headache you are feeling is not uncommon. We MSers usually refer to it as ‘the headache from hell’. I had it after my LP.
The recommended treatment was to lay in a darkened room, take over-the-counter painkillers and drink plenty of caffinated fluids, especially coke. I don’t get on with caffine so drank a large quantity of mineral water.
Hope you feel better soon,
Ben