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What Causes Severe Headache After A Spinal Tap?
Question: I had a spinal tap. Opening pressure was 15 and closing pressure was 9. Is was on Fri. 7-8-16 I now have a very bad head ache. It hit me hard today after being on my feet for a couple hours.
Brief Answer:
Possibility of post lumbar puncture headache
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have gone through your question and understand your concerns.
It is post lumbar puncture headache which is bothering you, sometimes csf leak may prolong the symptoms.
You need to take plenty of Fluids, coffee.
Avoid standing.
Practice gradual sitting and standing.
If not improved consult the treating doctor.
Pain killers may be taken if needed.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Do get back to me for further queries.
Regards
Dr N Kumar
Neurologist
Possibility of post lumbar puncture headache
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have gone through your question and understand your concerns.
It is post lumbar puncture headache which is bothering you, sometimes csf leak may prolong the symptoms.
You need to take plenty of Fluids, coffee.
Avoid standing.
Practice gradual sitting and standing.
If not improved consult the treating doctor.
Pain killers may be taken if needed.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Do get back to me for further queries.
Regards
Dr N Kumar
Neurologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
the LP was proformed on Fri.7-8. On Wed.7-13 the head aches started to come on. Yesturday on 7-15 it got bad and I almost past out. I was very light headed. My back now hurts and I've laying flat for almost 24hrs. I just question why it took 5 days after the LP to get these symptoms. Maybe low pressure but I have been drinking fluids. When I get up to use the bathroom I do get a couple dizzy spells. Altemitly if I need a blood patch if I have a leak. But it's been a week now since the LP. What do you think.
Brief Answer:
Get examined by a neurologist
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Is there any fever or vomiting? There can be one possibility of meningitis.
Low pressure headache after LP is mostly in the initial days and improves gradually.
If you are having sustained symptoms get examined by treating doctor.
Blood patch is another option for treatment but should be tried after other measures have failed.
Regards
Dr N Kumar
Get examined by a neurologist
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Is there any fever or vomiting? There can be one possibility of meningitis.
Low pressure headache after LP is mostly in the initial days and improves gradually.
If you are having sustained symptoms get examined by treating doctor.
Blood patch is another option for treatment but should be tried after other measures have failed.
Regards
Dr N Kumar
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Hello Dr XXXXXXX
I had the confusion & the very bad head aches that would start after being on my feet for more than 30 minutes. I went to one ER at one hospital and they just gave me a bag of fluid through an IV and some caffeine in some kind of bag. And then they did a CT. They ask me why I had a lumber puncher and when. I told the nurse that it was last Friday but the symptoms didn't come on until Wed.13th before I started having the head aches and confusion when I would stand on my feet for more than 30 minutes. And I felt like I wanted to pass out on Thursday. He said if you had a leak for that long you would be dead right now. So when I left that ER I went to another Hospital's ER. I told them the something and what my Doctor said that ordered the LP which is my Neuro-Otology doctor. He said by e-mail that after sitting flat for 24hrs and drinking caffeine & lots of water and then standing for a couple hours and then laying down again for 24 and it comes back when I stand that you need a blood patch. That is the test and the treatment. He said he could not order it for me. That it has to by the Dr. That does it. He said tell them you have a positional headache and that you think you need a blood patch. So the ER doctor called someone to do the blood patch. It was a radiologist. I didn't get any numbing just a needle in the back and they put my blood in it. It hurt like#!?! But I can tell the difference now. This was Yesturday on Saturday 7-16-16. I fill much better but still have just a very small amount of confusion but nothing like before. And no constant dumb filling where I couldn't communicate or hardly speak.
Should I be able to tell immediately if the blood patch worked?
And how long should I rest and tryout to move to let this heal and clot the leak?
I had the confusion & the very bad head aches that would start after being on my feet for more than 30 minutes. I went to one ER at one hospital and they just gave me a bag of fluid through an IV and some caffeine in some kind of bag. And then they did a CT. They ask me why I had a lumber puncher and when. I told the nurse that it was last Friday but the symptoms didn't come on until Wed.13th before I started having the head aches and confusion when I would stand on my feet for more than 30 minutes. And I felt like I wanted to pass out on Thursday. He said if you had a leak for that long you would be dead right now. So when I left that ER I went to another Hospital's ER. I told them the something and what my Doctor said that ordered the LP which is my Neuro-Otology doctor. He said by e-mail that after sitting flat for 24hrs and drinking caffeine & lots of water and then standing for a couple hours and then laying down again for 24 and it comes back when I stand that you need a blood patch. That is the test and the treatment. He said he could not order it for me. That it has to by the Dr. That does it. He said tell them you have a positional headache and that you think you need a blood patch. So the ER doctor called someone to do the blood patch. It was a radiologist. I didn't get any numbing just a needle in the back and they put my blood in it. It hurt like#!?! But I can tell the difference now. This was Yesturday on Saturday 7-16-16. I fill much better but still have just a very small amount of confusion but nothing like before. And no constant dumb filling where I couldn't communicate or hardly speak.
Should I be able to tell immediately if the blood patch worked?
And how long should I rest and tryout to move to let this heal and clot the leak?
Brief Answer:
Most likely you will have a sustained benefit
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
The symptoms seems to be of csf leak and blood patch worked too.
The blood clots in few minutes and if improvement has occurred it will sustain.
Avoid exertion, lifting heavy objects, coughing, straining during defecation.
Try the supine position and then sitting position followed by standing and walking.
Continue taking Fluids and high caffeine intake.
Wishing you good health and early recovery.
Regards
Dr N Kumar
Neurologist
Most likely you will have a sustained benefit
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
The symptoms seems to be of csf leak and blood patch worked too.
The blood clots in few minutes and if improvement has occurred it will sustain.
Avoid exertion, lifting heavy objects, coughing, straining during defecation.
Try the supine position and then sitting position followed by standing and walking.
Continue taking Fluids and high caffeine intake.
Wishing you good health and early recovery.
Regards
Dr N Kumar
Neurologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Answered by
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