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lumbar puncture 3+ months side effects

Hi everyone. I had a lumbar puncture done on Aug 15 and got a blood patch done on Aug 18. Like most of you in the forum, I too, came down with severe post lumbar puncture headaches. It's been 3 months already and I still suffer from the daily headaches (about 20 times a day-they come and go). Though mild, they are still very worrisome and bothersome. In addition to the daily headaches, I continue to have nausea and fatigue. The nausea is usually brought on by the smell of food or when I'm eating. As for the fatigue...I feel completely drained throughout the day even though I've had 8 hours asleep. I can't seem to find the energy or the drive to get things done. I have also developed this ringing in the ears (mostly my right ear) called tinnitus that's becoming a constant nuisance and doesn't seem to want to go away! The ringing is especially loud when I'm trying to fall asleep. I should note that, like some of you out there, I too had severe dizziness, vertigo, vomiting right after having had the lumbar puncture. I also had several fainting spells and drops in blood pressure for 2 months after having had the lumbar puncture done.

For all those out there who have had post lumbar puncture headaches and other symptoms and side effects that comes with it, have your headaches ever gone past 3 months and have they completely gone away? Same with the nausea and tinnitus...those who have experienced these symptoms beyond 3 months, have they ever gone away for you? I'm just afraid that all these symptoms are here to stay and I can't imagine living the rest of my life with them! I've been out of work for 3 months already and there doesn't seem to be an end to all of this. Most of all, it's very depressing! Anyone with prolonged headaches/tinnitus/nausea/fatigue...I'd like to hear about your experience and find out if anyone out there is continuing to live with these symptoms. Thanks.
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Avatar universal
The problem is that few neurologists are updated on this condition.
Try out the links I posted, there you can find the information you need.
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Avatar universal
Thanks for the reply. The first neurologist I saw said a second blood patch can't be done because it's already been 3 months since I had the lumbar puncture done. I'll be seeing another neurologist for a second opinion so I'll wait to see what he says about getting another blood patch done.
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Avatar universal
Visit www.csfleak.org and www.spinalcsfleak.org

You should not have to feel like this and your blood patch needs to be repeted.
You can get well again but you need the right treatment.
Good luck!
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Avatar universal
Thanks CP3kids. I'm currently seeing my family doctor and will be seeing another neurologist for a second opinion. I've also seen a internal medicine doctor and all the tests I've had done all came back normal. They just can't figure out why all these neurological problems aren't gone by now. Feeling quite frustrated!
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Avatar universal
I have not had any LP done, but I do empathize with your situation.  Have you been back to the MD since these symptoms are persisting?  If not, perhaps it's time you do to find out if it's still relative to the LP and not something different entirely.  Good luck!
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