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Severe fatigue days after a spinal tap

I had my spinal tap last Thursday and since then have been extremely exhausted and pretty much want to sleep all day.  Has anyone else experienced this severe fatigue?  The spinal tap itself was unpleasant and the headaches are pretty mild and can be relieved with just Tylenol...but no one mentioned this tiredness that I am experiencing.  Any comments would be appreciated.  Thanks.

Sam
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Avatar universal
Robyn, Thank you for replying to my question...I'm so sorry about your experience with the LP and hope your next one is not as bad....my fatigue actually has gotten better slowly but I really felt like a was hit by a bus....I had mine done in the hospital and they used flouroscopy to check the placement of the needle....even with the numbing meds, it was really very painful....I drank as many fluids, including caffeine, as much as possible...what a trip we all have to go through....good luck with your procedure and let us know how it goes....I'd also like to thank everyone who responded to my question...your comments are very much appreciated, especially since I'm newly diagnosed and all of the symptoms and procedures are new to me....
Sam
Helpful - 0
506846 tn?1217265961
I had my first LP in the ER.  They said it happens when you are dehydrated.  At which I wasn't aware that I was. If that is the case way would they not make sure the patient is well hydrated prior to performing the procedure.

This next one is being done at Barrows Neuro Ins. with x-ray guidance and well be performing it in areas of concern from my MRI.

I have my fingers crossed!!

Sorry about your horror story!!
Aura
Helpful - 0
516033 tn?1211985357
Did the doc give you any explanation as to why that happened?  Did you possibly have an allergic reaction to the lydacaine they injected prior to drawing the fluid?

For 'tough' taps, I've heard many people have a much easier time if they have it done in radiology where they can see exactly where they are going, rather than fishing around.

I hope you talk to the doctor about your last experience before having this done!  I just got my records from the neurologist who did my LP, and there was absolutely no mention of the difficulties during the procedure, my post procedure issues, let alone the nightmare of the bloodpatch.  I even filed a formal complaint thru his office about the doc he referred me to for the bloodpatch, aka Dr. Mengele.  This neuro actually wrote in the notes, patient tolerated procedure well and had no side effects!!!!  

I hope you have an easy procedure this time, with truly no incident to report :-)  

All the best,

Robyn
Helpful - 0
506846 tn?1217265961
I go in for another LP this Friday. The first one they didn't take enough fluid to rule out anything. (and the point of the LP was?)

My BP dropped and I saw a white light and couldn't even breath.  I am hoping with this next one they can give me an IV so I don't have to go through that again.

I am scared to death to have to have another one, but if It gives me answers it will be worth it.

Aura
Helpful - 0
516033 tn?1211985357
I definitely experienced prolonged fatigue after my spinal tap, but I also had a horrific LP followed by an even more horrific blood patch...

The doctor was unable to 'get it' and wound up sticking me no less than four times.  I'm convinced he hit some nerves along the way.  My sister could hear me screaming all the way in the waiting room and finally bust into the exam room, clothes drenched in sweat.  Aside from my back hurting and being exhausted after he finally got the fluid (which of course showed nothing), I had excruciating headaches if I did anything other than lie flat on my back.

After three or four days of agony, I went in for a blood patch.  This doctor also had a hard time getting into the right spot and poked around for about a half hour.  The pain was so awful I went into convulsions.  He stood back and said, hmmm, never seen that happen before.  It was only the nurses who said can we give her demarol and wrapped my back in ice.  The room was covered in blood.  Is this normal for a blood patch??  

Sorry Sam, I definitely went on a tangent there... but I was very tired after all of this and actually still have sharp back pains.   Kathy made a good point about it possibly relating to a relapse... have you had any other symptoms?  

Aura, how long ago was your last LP?  I wasn't aware that they do repeat taps... Is that pretty standard and if so, how often do doctors do them until they find bands?  Once a year like MRI's?

Hang in there Sam!  If you're not in pain, I would just listen to your body and sleep as much as you can.  Hope you feel better soon :-)

Robyn
Helpful - 0
506846 tn?1217265961
I felt the way you are talking for the first few days after my last LP.  I did have mild headaches when sitting up, so I was in bed most of the time.  I also would get this weired pressure on my lower back making it hard to breath that really freaked me out!!  

I go in Friday for another one, OH Joy!!

Have you been tired and run down lately?  I

know that fatigue I feel now is something awful.  I can only imagine what next week is going to be like for me.

Hope you start to feel better,
Aura
Helpful - 0
405614 tn?1329144114
I'm sorry you're having such a hard time with fatigue.  Were you having any symptoms before your LP that could be the reason for the fatigue?  A flare often produces extreme fatigue.

Invasive procedures always wear me out, but not to the degree you're talking about.  My LP was very unpleasant, gave me a bad spinal headache, and I had to have a blood patch.  I wasn't very tired, though I was drinking caffeine to counter the headache.

I hope someone with a more helpful answer comes along soon.  I feel for you; I've been dealing with fatigue a lot and it really is the pits.

Take care,

Kathy
Helpful - 0
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