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Drastic pain increase of Paresthesia after LP. Anyone heard of this before?

I have a positive skin biopsy ID of NLD-SFN. It started in my left face and moved all over my left side then started on my right face and travelled through the rest of my body. I had a lumbar puncture two weeks ago Wednesday. In the past I've had shocks in my face but never anywhere else. I had a huge electrical shock through my leg while in recovery. I typically have burning, tingling, numbness, etc. It's usually at a 1 on good days and 3 on bad days. Now it's at a 5 all the time and goes up to a 7. I'm getting shocks from time to time in my legs and a few times in my arms. The top of my hands and feet are burning terribly and the compound cream that has worked in the past isn't doing anything.

I had a leakage issue with horrible headaches after the procedure. They did a blood patch and the headaches stopped but all the other pain has stayed at a higher intensity.

I've had symptoms of autonomic issues and due to how my issues have steadily gotten worse, my neuro felt this was the next step.

I'm curious if anyone has heard of full body PN getting worse immediately after a LP? Or even a LD SFN experience an immediate increase of pain?

Thanks,

NoChane

Welcome to NeuroTalk:

Blood patches have their consequences, depending on the skill of the doctor doing them:

http://www.portlandpaincare.com/pati...al-blood-patch

Quote:

Overall, this procedure has very few risks. However, as with any procedure, there are some risks and side effects you should know about. Commonly encountered side effects are increased pain from the injection (usually temporary), rarely inadvertent puncture of the“sack” containing spinal fluid (may not relieve your headaches), infection, bleeding, nerve damage, or no relief from your headache.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/125053

This long article gives side effects about 2/3 of the way down the page:
http://bja.oxfordjournals.org/content/91/5/718.full

Why did you have the LP in the first place? There may be a clue there.

It sounds very painful to me, what you are going thru now. :hug:
It might be a good idea to get a second medical opinion.

I have had 8 LP's and EVERY one required a blood patch. Just they way my tissue heals...or doesn't close/heal, in this case.

I too have had one LP (last one) that increased PN pain ten-fold. It was temporary, but lasted 2-3 weeks. The doctor felt it was likely pressure the blood patch puts on the spinal cord area and it takes a while for that pressure to subside. They actually take like 30 ml of blood and put/inject into that area. It takes weeks for this blood to be reabsorbed by the body.

So, although I know it is horrible now, I think you may get relief in a few weeks. I know that seems like a life-time when you're in this much pain, but I think/hope it will improve for you.

Have you talked to your doctor about it? If not, you should. He/ she should know what is going on.

I also have to ask why the LP with the positive skin biopsy? What did you doctor say he was looking for with autonomic problems?

Sorry to hear about this! I suffered temporary (and very frightening) paralysis in my legs after my LP. It lasted less than a week and and gradually subsided.