LP pain questions - someone??
 

Ok, so I layed in the office for 45 mins. Came home laying in car. Layed on couch all day on back and side with head on pillow (according to the doc, side is alright also). Have gotten up a few times to go to the bathroom, no pain, no headache. Doc said I may have some localized pain at puncture site, and a headache. If ha lasts longer than 24 hours got to er and get a blood patch.

So, Dh brought me dinner. I got up, whole midsection is hurting, back and abd, like someone punched me. I thought I may have been laying wrong. Now I cant stand up with getting almost an immediate headache.

I know the HA is normal, but is the back pain normal as well? It is NOT just local to the puncture site. Espcially if I felt well the first few hours after the LP, and NOW, 6 hours later, I feel like p00p.

I am usually not a big baby, and have a high pain tolerance, which is why when I do hurt, I worry. Already called the doc, she is out for the day. I am fine when I am laying down...

I guess I need to drink more water also. I was already kinda dehydrated, and haven't even gotten 2 bottles in me yet today (been bad with my water).

Thanks for any help!!

BTW, got my records from My hosp stay in 2000 when they thought I was having TIAs (and told me to get checked for MS) in the mail just now. The papers, literally, have the MS diagnosis written all over them. They did not tell me I was being diagnosed, but told me to follow up with neuro and get an MRI to rule out MS vs other demylenating disease (after they ruled out TIAs)... yay. More fuel for the MS fire. I knew it, but to see it in writting is a bit more final and real, yanno!

Connie

Connie

Ok, I am being a BIG attention whore and bumping my own thread. Please someone put my mind at ease... LOL

I feel great when I am laying flat. I just took a vicoden, so I am feeling even better (ugh, hope none of my patients ever read this...lol).

I am milking this for all it is worth with DH... BUT, I don't want to feel bad tomorrow.

Tomorrow... tomorrow... I luv ya... tomorrow...

Oy vey, see what vicoden can do to you!!

Hey, I am going to thank myself for this...

BWAHAHAHAHA



:hug: to anyone reading my blabbing!!!

ETA: MAN!!! I can't thank myself :(

back pain is normal. You will be sore for a couple of days.

If you are having the HA...stay down! You need to stay down so the site will heal.

I got that headache (and backache) with my epidurals, and it lasted about 3 days. I didn't go in for the patch, but would have if it hadn't let up by the 4th day.

I had a "botched" spinal tap and spent a week in the Brain Trauma Unit. The headache can get beyond comprehension :eek:, but even without getting the patch it will eventually heal on it's own too.

I think it's a matter of your tolerance, and whether you need to get up and about quicker then it heals. I still wouldn't leave it beyond the end of the day, Thursday, but I suspect you'll be fine by then if you continue to take it easy.

Cherie

The back pain is normal and you described it well :p I got the headache and by day 5 was so miserable that I had to go get the blood patch. Best thing you could do is stay down on your back for at least 24-48 hours. You don't want to end up with the blood patch...its not much fun either (but it does give you immediate relief)

In case no one told you...you need caffiene! Lots and lots of it. It will help! I hope you feel better soon. :hug:

I stayed flat in bed for two days. DH did all cooking and cleaning and I just ate finger food and drank through a flexible straw while lying down.

The only time I got up was to go potty then right back to bed.

I never had a headache or problems with any of the five LP's I had.

My discharge paper said no lifting, bending or stooping for a week.

When I had my LP back in October 2006, I didn't get the headache, but for a couple of days, I felt like there was a python squeezing me from under my ribcage down to the bottom of my ribs (MS Hug?) I had that once before the LP, but never again since. I guess it was probably related to the LP.

If your pain doesn't get better though, you might want to give your doctor a call, just to be on the safe side.

Hugs,

Lisa

Ouch!
 

Hi Connie,

I never had a LP, so I can't comment on what is normal or not. I just wanted to stop by and say I'm sorry you're having so much pain. Ick! That is one of the reasons I never pushed for the LP. I admire that you opted to have it done (if I remember correctly, it was more of a choice on your part, as the doc wasn't requiring it to confirm or rule out your dx). Two neuros told me it wasn't worth it for me because it was so clear that I had MS. Of course, every once in a while I think that I should have one - ya know, just in case it isn't MS! I know that a LP wouldn't rule out MS, though... So...no LP for now. I also think, gee, my doctor didn't test for Lyme or anything else! And then I read the MRI report and it's clear that I have MS, first and second opinion docs both said the same thing. But still! Isn't it possible that I just have a pinched nerve in my face somewhere?! :confused::rolleyes::(

I hope you start to feel better soon.

Yes, vicodin is nice stuff...but sadly, it doesn't do squat for my headaches anymore. Moved up to something a little (lot!) more potent. Sigh. Would rather just figure out how to get rid of the HA without narcotics. Oh well.

But yes, here's to a better tomorrow.... (no, I won't sing, that would scare you!)

~Keri

I had the headache for 2-3 weeks* (didn't know about a blood patch) and the back pain stuck around for awhile too. Just keep pounding your pain killer of choice and stay down if you can.

*Getting up after just a couple of hours for some beer and chicken wings was probably not the smartest thing to do in retrospect!:p

hope you feel better soon!