This Is Spinal Tap...And Blood Patch...When does pain end?
 

Hi,

I have been unsuccessfully searching all over web for info about recovery time from lumbar puncture (aka Spinal Tap) and blood patch (which was done 3 days after LP due to CSF leak and which took 2x as long for the anesthesiologist to do).

I had these procedures done about 7 weeks ago and still have occasional low back pain, esp. at end of the day. I am--or used to be--very active but that all came to a grinding halt. I have no idea if the pain will ever subside. If anyone has any info or reference to information, I'd truly appreciate the help!

I can only reference my experience with the guidelines of Acute vs. Chronic Pain in this area.....my health care providers cite 3 months as appropiate recovery time from an acute injury or proceedure.....after that the pain is considered chronic, meaning if your pain extends beyond the 3 months then there is something more going on.....because then something other than your injury or in this case the spinal tap recovery is causing the pain. I would talk to my doctor about this.

I have had nerve blocks at my L5-S1 area, had epidural shots and cortisone shots at the L4-L3 area. Yes the proceedures are painful however the pain did go away after about 7 - 8 days....with heat, ice and rest.

If you contact me by email, I have a website and a Dr that is willing to answer your questions, I will not post it here without his permission.

I wish you the best of luck, and If I were you....I would go in and talk to your provider.

Kim

Thank you for the information. I am not trained in the medical field; however, I would label at least the blood patch as invasive, as I had the needle stuck in my spinal cord for at least 15 minutes because the nurse was unable to tap any blood from my arms.

The frame of reference is helpful. I am otherwise quite healthy and was active (trail running) until these procedures. I am lucky the pain isn't constant. I can only imagine how awful it is to have chronic, constant pain in the back and how debilitating it can be.

nana2011
 

Had myelogram for cervical spine on Sept 8, done via lumbar spine.
Have had constant pain at puncture since. Wanted to know if anyone else
has had this problem. No headache,just this constant,unrelenting,
takes your breath away,pain.
Didnt think this would happen since I wasnt having pain in lumbar area
before the myelogram
Anyone with this problem