Post Lumbar Puncture

[Talloola]

I had a lumbar puncture last week and am still experiencing extreme lower back pain. I have had lumbar punctures for years and this has never occurred. The pain feels as if it is radiating from my tail bone. The pain is OK when I am standing but sitting and laying are very painful. If I go from a sitting to a standing position the pain worsens and my lower back begins throbbing. The procedure was without complications. I have had a low pressure headache from an LP before so I am aware of that complication but as I stated above this type of pain has never occurred. Are these symptoms of infection? Should I be concerned? Should I contact my doctor or give the situation some time to see if the pain will subside?

[Talloola]

Thank you this does help. I had a blood patch and stayed in bed for two days. The Lumbar Puncture itself was basically painless and usually I feel when the doctor hits a nerve but this time I didn't feel anything so I've been worried that I have some kind of infection. However, I don't have any of the normal symptoms of infections (ie. fevor, chills etc.)

I have a call in to my neurologist so hopefully I hear something soon.

Wguimb,

I really didn't mean to alarm you. Usually I am fine after these procedures but you can get a leak which causes a severe headache! That was not fun so now I always request a blood patch. I really hope that your procedure goes very smoothly.

[Dr. A. Srivastava]

Thank you for your question. Although without being able to examine you I can not offer you the specific advice on diagnosis and treatment that you need, but I would try to provide you some relevant information about your health concern.

CSF leak headache and back pain usually resolves within few days or week as many of the causes of leak go away on their own after a few days. Complete bed rest or blood patches for several days are usually recommended. Therefore, it will be best to consult a neurologist to find out the nature of back pain headache in order to see any nerve pinched and to start the appropriate treatment. Hope this helps.

[wguimb]

Ok, I am soon to be scheduled for a lumbar puncture. Now I am starting to get nervous. They must have hit a nerve or something. I have no experience with all these procedures but if the pain isn't going away then I would warming a chair in the doctor's office right away.