I was hospitalized and ended up having the blood patch from my LP on Monday.
 

So, Monday and Tuesday I felt fine. Was looking forward to returning to work yesterday. Got up and had a debilitating headache. Could not get up. DH took me to the ER. They ran a liter of NS with 500 mg caffeine in it (I never even heard of a caffeine drip before- and I am a NURSE!!)... didn't help. Went to PACU. THe Anesthesiologist wanted to take a conservative approach, cause I was very dehydrated (no one told me to drink lots of water before the LP). So, 7 liters later (3 of which had 500 mg caffeine - talk about jittery), I still had the headache... so they ended up dong the blood patch. YAY. Talk about fun....

So, I have ANOTHER 24-48 hours of laying around to do - UGH... My hands and arms are full of holes, I feel like a pin cushion, literally...

Moral of the story - if you have an LP - DRINK a boat load of water the day before and day of... until you think you are turning into a fish. Drink more when you come home along with gobs of caffeine. Also, if you have the h/a, go for the blood patch asap. It is amazing, and works like a charm!!!

So, I am back, have to catch up!! I may do that after a nap - didn't get a wink of sleep in the hosp... big surprise, eh?

Connie

I was sure that someone, including your DOC on the instruction sheet, should have told you to be well hydrated before the LP....sheesh, standard procedure!!! :eek:

The blood patch is so so much fun! I've had two! After about 5 minutes, the headache is GONE!!!! Have to lay there for about an hour after the procedure but I've walked out both times and resumed my normal activities the next day. (Of course, I am allergic to the dye, so they can't do mine under fluoroscopy! They have to find the hole...it's easy...it's where the leak is...ha ha ha!!!)

Back is a little (ok, I lied, LOT) sore for a few days afterwards...double trauma from the LP and then the blood patch. But it's well worth it!

I hope you enjoy your mini vacation lying around in bed! At least now, you can get up when you want!!!

How many times have we told people on the forums that too? . . . guess we are getting sloppy. :D

Glad you are on the mend now, Connie.

Cherie

You've all just scared me out of ever letting anyone poke me in the back with needles.

I'm sooooo glad that my neuro and the neuro who did my second opinion both thought that LP's were too invasive and unnecessary.

I'm so sorry it went like that for you. But glad you got the blood patch and it helped. Hope you mend fast from here out.


You know, I got better LP advice from my forum buddies than my neuro. My LP was fine. I think it's good to share both good and bad stories, so people who may need to have one can get an idea what can happen.

So sorry Beauty -
Your ordeal sounds similar to mine - it was the 3rd day when I got the headache. I was well hydrated before and after the LP but still got the headached. My Neuro immediately went for the blood patch and it was amazing how quickly it worked (thank goodness) !!!

The blood patch stick however, hurt way more than the original LP but at that point I didn't care - I just needed relief.

Glad you are back up and going !

My LP is tomorrow morning - all I have heard on hear, my neuro and the hospital is to drink, drink and drink some more today and drink, drink and drink lost of caffine tomorrow after the LP.

Sorry you had to go through that... but glad you are better now. I don't want your experience at all!!

The anesthesiologist says he usually runs 2 liters into someone before he does an epidural. I didn't get an instruction sheet... and sometime the military is lacsidasical on their instructions. All I read about them was how they were done, I didn't do much more research than that, which is very unlike me.

Nope, your not getting sloppy, I just didn't read it until afterward :rolleyes:

That is what I am mad at. According to all the clinical data, the LP was unnecessary, but the neuro is new, and doesn't specialize in MS. Really, I was the type that said... well all the tests that prove conclusively will help me accept it. Now, I know...LOL