Hi everyone,
Recently diagnosed and they have booked me in for a lumber puncture in 2 weeks.
Will I need the day after off work or should I be ok?
I’m a practice nurse and sit for long periods x
Hi Lorna
It’s difficult to say because our bodies all react to the procedure differently. They recommend not doing anything much for the rest of the day. But I would also say that if you have it done quite late in the afternoon for example that you may want to take extra time into the next day.
I personally didn’t have ‘the’ headache at all, but I felt physically wiped out the following day, and didn’t really think I could sit at my desk, so I had a duvet day and glad I did because it took a couple of days to get completely back to normal. Don’t rush it!
Good luck!
Thank you. I’m having mine done at 9.45. Don’t plan on doing anything on the day. I might book the day after off. Thank you x
Hi I ended up with the headache with one of mine and didn’t lift my head up for 7 days, toilet trips were agony. It’s luck of the draw with the headache but be prepared just incase. The other one wiped me out like mentioned and I had a sore back too so definately consider taking a day after to rest.
I haven’t had one except when I was a small child for something other than MS but your question comes up every now on then on the forum. Going by the answers it does seem to vary from person to person - from little effect to suffering for a day or more. Be prepared and book a day off just in case
I will thank you x
I think you should be okay after, it’s a good idea to pre-load with paracetamol b4 you have the LP done, possibly after too if you still feel pain.
The doctor who did my LP told me to sip a strong black coffee after the procedure. Apparently the caffeine helps to prevent the headache coming on. I don’t know how true it is, but all I can say is that I did have the coffee and I didn’t have the headache at all…so worth a try perhaps?!
Reading the posts, I do also remember the nurse who did my lumbar puncture saying drink ‘normal coca cola’ to avoid headaches. I was due to stay on the day ward for several hours after the procedure (which I found less traumatic than I had anticipated looking at Dr Google), but felt fairly ok an hour or so afterwards so they allowed me to go home on the proviso that I would l look at flat and drink plenty of cola and coffee.
I did have a headache for a few days but it didn’t impact me much more than that
Good luck!! Hopefully all is well for you afterwards
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My job was mainly sedentary too and I was fine the day after. One suggestion is to tell your colleagues that you’re assuming all will be well, but there’s always a risk you’ll be one of the unlucky ones who gets the bad headache. I don’t know whether that makes it any easier for either you or them, though!
I booked the following day off, just because I was scared of getting a headache. I ended up being fine (and the whole procedure was easier than a dental checkup) but I did appreciate the rest!