Hi,
I recently had a lumbar puncture done (2 weeks ago) and it still hurts. I just wanted to know how long the pain should go on for? Should it have gone away by now? Its not agony but its enough to take pain killers every day. I am begining to worry about it so anyone elses experience would be greatly appreicated.
New to this all and well, its all quite overwelming.
thanks
Bex
Of gosh, Bex, I’m no expert but that doesn’t sound right. Mine gave me no problems at all after a couple of days. Maybe GP visit is called for. Or, as it’s Friday, call out of hours, for advice ? Xx
thanks for your comment, I thought that it should have passed by now. Unfortunalty they had to do mine 3 times because they couldnt get any fliud so I was waiting to see if it would subside after a week or so. GP it is! thanks again x
I had one a few years ago and flet rough afterwards for about 6-8 days- really bad headaches and balance problems. I was told then if it continued I would need to go back and have the puncture site injected with my own blood?
Thankfully I didn’t need to have this but understand where you are coming form and hope you feel better soon.
Hi Bex
I too, had a lumbar puncture on 14 Dec. Again, it took them 3 tries to find the correct space to find the fluid!! Perhaps, we’re in the same locality?? Lol. It did ache for several days (hardly surprising!), and even now when I touch that part of my spine it hurts a little, but I have no undue worries. They gave me 4 anaesthetics and 3 lumbar ‘attempts’ in what must be a very elusive spot! If you are really worried, I can only back up Mrs H’s advice and tell you see your GP. I was under the impression that it was only a 15 min procedure, but I was there on the bed for 1 hour with two doctors waging their bets!! And I’m quite skinny all told, so they had no trouble finding my spine. Mustn’t grumble…That was an awful lot of needlework…
Stay strong. It’s all for a good cause!
Ali x
Every now and again i can feel as if the needle is still in for a split second. maybe once every two months. But mine was a bad experiance. Had the lp left hospital the next day then bang my head just hurt like crazy. It is the worst pain i could ever imagin. Seven days later, loads of caffene by drip i was out again
I had my lumbar puncture in July 2012 and I am still taking pain killers. I don’t want to put anyone off having one as it was completely appropriate for me as it was needed to confirm my diagnosis. However, the day after my lumbar puncture I was experiencing double vision, numbness down my left side and upon seeing my GP, was told I had an infection and needed anti-imflammatories to take down the swelling and the bruising. As I said before, I am still experiencing some discomfort but I don’t know if it is still as a result of the lumbar puncture or if it is a normal ‘pain’ caused by the MS???
Fae
thanks guys. unfortuate pain for us all, but like you say a nessessary to get the diagnosis. I have booked a gp appointment just incase but hoping that the pain will subside. I agree, the 3 attempts prob needs some more time to recover. see what they say.
thanks all x
Oh you poor people. I was nervous as it was done by a trainee doctor (under supervision) on her neuro rotation but it was fine. I felt a scratch when the local anaesthetic went in and a slight twinge in my hip but really nothing to speak about. Take care…maybe a hottie bottie might help?? Xx
Hey
I had a lumbar puncture in October 2012 and suffered badly with the headaches - it was like I had a vice permanently attached to my head and some evil person was tightening it but seemed to settle when I was lying down. A day or so after the procedure I couldn’t sit up at all and had to eat my breakfast lying down - strange I know. Another day my father came over to take me to my parents house for dinner and I ended up having to lie down on the back seat of his car because of the headache. Not nice at all.
However, after all that I think I began to feel normal after about 7-10 days, although I still had lower back pain (I suffer with that anyway). I have a fab GP who advised that recovery from the actual needle insertion is normally around 6-8 weeks so just bear that in mind.
Hope it’s not too long before you’re feeling better
Pen
xx