advice on preventing lumbar puncture/spinal tap headache

2-
Hello.  I had a lumbar puncture yesterday.  I'm in my 20's and my doc was very insistent that I take it easy and just lie down with my head at a 45 degree angle for 25 hours because he said most of the headaches are in young patients who resume strenous activities to early.  

I do NOT want to get a spinal headache.  I did have a very minor headache for a few hours after the procedure but that's gone away, it's been 24 hours and I've followed my docs instructions exactly and have had no problems.  

I've resolved that I'm not going to exercise for at least 10 days, but I'm wondering when I can do normal things such as bend over to pick up light objects.  And is it best to lie completely flat or at a 45 degree angle (I've heard both).  

Perhaps I'm being overly cautious but my doc told me to do nothing but lay down for a day and that's what I've done.  I've even been careful not to bend my head down when brushing my teeth/etc.  

My question is now that it's been 24 hours can I go about with normal activities such as walking, looking down, sitting up, bending over to pick up a piece of paper, etc...

And is it ok for me to sleep lying flat?  Any advice/experiences would be greatly welcomed.  Thanks.  

[Demiguise]

If the LP went just fine, & you were not showing signs of upset
or stressed-anxiety pre-tap, there are baseline instructions.
Your Dr is overly cautious but may be his training. General
rule (most don't do), is to not let patient get up even into
sitting position for 30min. to 1 hr. or the fluid will do a
rush & give many a massive migraine/dbl-vision. The minute they
remove CSF, body starts to replace. CSF is replaced w/ fresh
every day 3 to 4 times a day. Brain is signaled & thinks it's a
leak. 99% that lay flat atleast 1 hour, never get a hdache but
foggy. It's always good to relax 24 hrs after & then you're
fine. The fluid is now balanced again. Heavy stress can cause
a pressure hdache since CSF channel surrounds brain & goes back
dwn thru spine. Unless there was a problem or a patch used,
you can go sky-diving but wouldn't since there was a reason for
the LP.

[mineandours]

Doctors in our area prescribe as much caffeine as you can take in after the LP to prevent the headache. Coffee, Mountain Dew, Dr. Pepper are pretty high in caffeing.  I only wish I had known this when I had that procedure done years ago!  I had the dreaded headache for 5 whole days!

[utahmomma]

My post-LP headache kicked in about 48 hours after the LP.  I didn't lift anything strenuous but it kicked in anyway (probably from opening my non-automatic garage door even though I lifted with my legs).  I wouldn't vacuum, lift laundry, or do anything that requires movement and strain from the lower back (sit ups are out for a while).  Caffeine helps too.

If you do get THAT headache, you'll know it!  It's described as the worst headache ever for a reason and it will get really bad when standing up but lessen when lying down.

Good luck and just take it a bit easy (use it as a good excuse to get someone else to do some of the housework)

[windbeat]

Thanks for all the comments.  Almost 3 days out and going strong.  Lots of coffee (usual) and takin' it easy.  I wish I'd known to lie FLAT however after the procedure...everyone at the hospital told me to lie at 45 degrees...and I did for a whole day!  Anyhow, time for Tim Hortons.  Peace.

[utahmomma]

An wonderful ER nurse told me to take Excederin (which kills my ulcer) - the caffeine in it is much higher than coffee.  Saved my life before I could get the blood patch.

[bengalcats]

MY SPINAL HEADACHE DID NOT OCCUR UNTILL 2 DAYS AFTER MY PUNCTURE SO i HAD TO GO BACK FOR A BLOOD PATCH. THE HEADACHE WAS SOMETHING I WOULDNT WISH ON ANYONE. WHY ARE YOU GETTING THE PUNCTURE?

[ArtyM]

I had a LP and felt fine...UNTIL I STARTED WALKING AROUND! The following five (5) days I would attempt to go to work feeling fine until about the first half hour at work. Each day for the next five (5) days I would turn around and go back home to lie down. The headache would always go away after lying down. I

[brokennana]

most of our Doc in this area recommend flat time for 6 hours  and push fluids, especially water and lots of caffiene,. The other person talked about excedrin... tha is correct excedrin is high in caffiene. Caffiene works for migraines too if you start it in time... If you are this far out form the procedure you should be fine....hope all turned out well.