Lumbar puncture pain

[Anete]

  I am 35. I ended up with 'aseptic meningitis' two weeks after having my daughter in April
  of 1997. They said it was not due to the epidural..but I have my doubts. Since then I have
  meningitis about every 2-3 months. I'm sure you must think I'm insane, but I really do.
  As a result, I have had 6 lumbar punctures. After the fifth, the doctor at the time said she
  was not going to order anymore, there was scar tissue and she didn't want to have any
  complications..you have meningitis..so just go home and that's it. Well I moved to
  a closer hospital and have a new doctor that I like very much. I told him all this and then I
  became ill again. He summoned me to the ER stat, did not discuss why I was called in, and
  when I arrived he had ordered another lumbar puncture. I was aghast! But I felt stuck
  because I did not wish to upset him or go against his orders, so I very unhappily complied.
  The attending physician was thankfully very proficient at this, (I've had at least two horrible
  experiences)and he did use a size 22 needle..smaller I understand. Well I ended up with a
  leak in the end and it was very bad. I read the archives on here and leaks and patches are
  discussed like breakfast danish..and I must say from a patient standpoint, it's REALLY not
  that easy on the patient. Perhaps the procedure is simple to perform, but the pain you go
  thru is UNREAL. I arrived back at the ER a few days later and instead of the person
  writing spine and head pain, they wrote sinus headache and I was triaged to an area where
  I passed out on the floor.  I ended up in the hospital, where they did the patch the next
  day. I was so gone, they blew out four IV sites from mainlining demerol and vistaril before
  I could stop them.  I would have been so happy to pay for a bag of saline to be hung, I
  don't know why they have to be so cruel. It's been over a month now, my arms still are not
  the same. Sorry for the length, it's been a hard year, but my question is..my spine feels like
  I've been beaten with a baseball bat..and it's much worse the last few days..and as I said,
  it's been a month. What is wrong with me? Why do I keep going thru this? Why does it
  hurt SO much at the puncture site? Will I ever get better? I feel like my life is over and I
  never want to see another doctor or hospital ever again.  
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Dear Annette:
Recent studies suggest that the majority of cases of recurrent aseptic meningitis ("Mollaret's meningitis") are caused by recurrence of latent Herpes Simplex Viris - 2 (HSV-2). If troubles become very severe and frequent with the meningitis, a maintenence prophylactic treatment for several months with a drug such as acyclovir or valacyclovir would not be inappropriate. Prior to such a treatment, demonstration of the HSV-2 in the CSF with a test called PCR is usually indicated, nad this may need still another puncture during another spell. A consultation with an infectious diseases specialist is something you may benefit from.
I am sorry to learn about your unfortunate experience with LPs. The procedure in most cases is extremenly safe, even if performed numerous times. I am ure you will not suffer any permanent symptoms from your earlier LPs.
Good luck!

[jadelucy]

A related discussion, Back and neckache after 2 bouts of meningits was started.