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Suggest Treatment For Headchea After Lumbar Puncture
Posted on
Wed, 14 Jan 2015
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Wed, 14 Jan 2015
Answered on
Thu, 12 Feb 2015
Last reviewed on
Question : I had a lumbar puncture in ER over a week ago. All four tubes of spinal fluid contained blood that initially sent doctors into a panic. After CT scans, MRI and additional lab testing on spinal fluid all test were normal. I was released from the hospital and developed the worst headache of my life. It was much worse when I sat up. Determined I had a spinal headache so they did a blood patch. Headache was immediately relieved. Feeling much better as far as the headache but am having so much pain in lower back and buttocks. The pain is going down into the top of my thighs. I tried to straighten my leg today and got such a sharp pain that it involuntarily made me react with a scream. The discomfort is not getting any better. It hurts to sit, lay in bed, walk. If I am sitting for any extended time and try to get up I feel about 5seconds of excruciating pain in my back and buttocks! Almost like a tush of blood to that area. Any suggestions or ideas?!?! I see my neurologist tomorrow with hopes she can give me some answers.
Brief Answer:
Post lumbar puncture headache.
Detailed Answer:
Hi, I had gone through your question and understand your concerns.
Headache you experienced is a common complication after lumbar puncture found in about one quarter of the patients.
It lasts about one week or so and it is caused by cerebrospinal fluid leak from punction area of spinal coverings.
Blood patch closes that leak and relieves the headache.
Back and leg pain may be caused by nerve damage from the needle during lumbar puncture or blood patch procedure.
This is also a complication of these two procedures and in most patients is temporary.
Another potential complication may be hemorrhage into spinal canal that needs attention and careful evaluation, so I suggest you to discuss with your Neurologist about above mentioned possibilities.
In my opinion there is need for a careful neurological examination and maybe after it imaging evaluation of lumbar column.
Hope this answers your question. If you have additional questions or follow up questions then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your questions.
Post lumbar puncture headache.
Detailed Answer:
Hi, I had gone through your question and understand your concerns.
Headache you experienced is a common complication after lumbar puncture found in about one quarter of the patients.
It lasts about one week or so and it is caused by cerebrospinal fluid leak from punction area of spinal coverings.
Blood patch closes that leak and relieves the headache.
Back and leg pain may be caused by nerve damage from the needle during lumbar puncture or blood patch procedure.
This is also a complication of these two procedures and in most patients is temporary.
Another potential complication may be hemorrhage into spinal canal that needs attention and careful evaluation, so I suggest you to discuss with your Neurologist about above mentioned possibilities.
In my opinion there is need for a careful neurological examination and maybe after it imaging evaluation of lumbar column.
Hope this answers your question. If you have additional questions or follow up questions then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Answered by
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