Well, with no time to even think about it I have just received my appointment letter for a lumbar puncture on FRIDAY! Eeeiikkk.
I’m already starting to quiver internally about it, well that’s an understatement… I’m juddering inside
I’ve read a few threads on here about the procedure and after effects, and they all seem to say the same thing ~ lay down and drink caffeine based drinks afterwards… and that’s where I fail as I don’t drink caffeine, and haven’t done for 10 years.
Is there any alternative to caffeine? Am I destined to get an horrendous headache if I leave the caffeine out? Would taking paracetamol after the procedure help, even if I don’t ‘need’ it.
I’m hoping it will be a fast, pain free experience, but I’ve read that’s not always the case, so I’m keeping fingers and toes crossed.
Mine was absolutely fine. And was done by a trainee doctor under supervision !! No side effects…and I didn’t have catering afterwards. Just a sharp scratch when the local anaesthetic went in. Xx
The actual procedure is not painful; in fact the only thing you feel is a scratch when the anaesthetic goes in. The actual removal of fluid is just a feeling of pressure if done properly. I must stress if done properly; do not let anyone practice on you insist on someone who is experienced.
It’s after you MAY get something called ‘the headache from hell.’ To cut down the chances of getting this you should lay flat for at least 3 hours do not even get up to go to the loo; use a pan. Drink at least 2 litres of classic Coke, not diet; it’s the caffeine that aids replenishment of your CNS fluid. Being your drinking a lot take one of those bendy straws otherwise the bed will get more Coke than you. If you want a change of drink very strong coffee.
These things will drastically reduce your chances of getting a headache that could last about 8 days. If you have a couple of days off work and rest if you do not get the headache, if you do 10 days off work.
If the headache last more than 10 days you could need a blood patch; especially if there’s a wet patch on the bed in the area of the spine after a nights sleep; this is a very rare occurance.
It may be old info as today they have improved the procedure (something to do with the needles used). It’s only a small percentage of people who get the headache so chances are you will not.
Hi there, I didn’t have any caffeine either and I was absolutely fine. Just a sharp scratch for the local and some pressure from the LP itself. After that I lay flat for just an hour and then went home. I was fine and had no headache from hell! Teresa xx
Mine was absolutely fine. I was a bit nervous, but the Doctor was quite reassuring (though he sung The Bird is The Word throughout Bird Is The Word! | Season 7 | FAMILY GUY - YouTube). I lay flat for about 5 hours while I had my 3rd dose of steroids and had no side effects at all, just a slightly sore back for a couple of days, but not uncomfortably so. Take a good book or some music
I had a lumbar puncture about 3-4 weeks ago. I drank lots of water the day before and on the morning of the procedure as I heard that helps. After the lumbar puncture I was allowed to lie down half an hour but asked to leave after that so no hope of laying for hours as is suggested. I drank a small bottle of cola on the way home and had a sore back for 24 hours, but other than that was fine