Spinal taps causing flares?

[Sidesteps]

I had my LP on Wednesday and had a little headache, neck pain and nausea that increased yesterday. I went straight to bed after going to work half the day. I got up this morning, felt pretty dang good and went back into work. "No problem!" I thought.

Something changed in the mid afternoon and I almost didn't make it home without getting sick. I'm pretty bad tonight (as I lay in bed typing this) Ok, I'm pretty miserable but not bad enough to be crying. I'm stubborn and it hurts more to cry. lol Seriously, "I'm okay" as long as I do not move. I've been worse.

BUT, I feel like I'm exacerbated. All my chronic symptoms are screaming at me now - tremoring (that's not a word I don't think but who cares), twitching, jerking and my vision is so bad its like I've been swimming under water. My visual acuity is typically 20/20 and 20/25 but it's definitely not now. I also have double vision with both eyes as I type this with both eyes open and as well as each eye closed. I'm a bit if a mess, I think.  

Anyone else get the migraine and it cause a flare or exacerbation? :(

[jibjen]

Hey there,

SO glad you called doc...I am so releived you are doing better AND you had no problem getting a blood patch..wheewww...NOW..rest up from this...I am sure you are exhausted.....I know you must be..It took a lot of me....


Be Well....Big Hugs and kisses to you...

Jibby

[Sidesteps]

I ended up calling the on-call doctor about 10:45 this morning. My doctor called me back and after a brief discussion I was instructed to head to the ER. I did. I was in tears in the following the conversation to my Dad to come get me. The ER doctor after giving history opted for the blood patch.

Three hours later, it was done and I felt immediately better. I guess I had a leak as placing 20 cc's in didn't cause any feeling of pressure which indicated I was VERY low on fluid. I am glad I did it but am exhausted from the pain.

Currently, my back pain is pretty bad from two punctures (and after some trouble getting the new needle in the right place today) but it's better than what I was going through. Now, it's move night, take a nap then I'll take it easy but they told me I had no restrictions. CRAZY!

Thank you Jibby... I really needed some support through this. I'm so prideful it's difficult to ask for help. My husband was at military drill and it pulled him out for the day. This was not fun. I was fine as long as laid down butI reached my limit today. Thank you everyone else too. I love y'all.

[jibjen]

SS -

Please take care. I know how miserable it can get..do not hesitate to wait before it gets bad. I was a hot mess when I finally called my doc...unfortuatley my hospital here had a protocol about how long it had to be before they could do the blood patch even with my doctor's orders....but there were the other options as I mentioned...

Let me know how you do...Rest up ;o)

Jibs

[Sidesteps]

You know Jibs, I may go get that Caffeine drip. I'm not doing so well but as long as I'm flat I'm okay. I'll think about it.

[sllowe]

Hey SS,

I got my leak days latertoo  - felt fine for a couple, then day 3 wam. Was at work too and all I could do to make it home to lay flat. aaaaaah I feel for you.
I didn't get the blood patch either, let time seal it up and it took a couple days. Drink LOTS, and don't do any laundry, or go up and down any steps, and no straining of anykind. That csf takes time to rebuild, since the leak, even longer......

[LisaJF]

I hope you're feeling better by the time you wake up this morning.

If you're not, I would be placing a call to your doctor asap.  There's no reason for you to suffer another day like this.  

Lisa

[jibjen]

Hey,

Take it easy and rest..I know how crummy it is....beleive you me...yuk....

Be Well

Jibs

PS..my doc ordered a blood patch but hospital said no because it was too soon after tap but they loaded me with caffeine IV and saline IV as well as a neaseua med and pain meds....I was up and rumming in about 5 hours...just in case it gets to that...I still went home and stayed flat for the rest of weekend ;o)


Jibs

[Sidesteps]

Thank you guys.  Luckily, I seem to have this in spurts. I felt pretty crummy for most of the day but for the last hour or so, I feel okay. Let's hope this is a change in the right direction.  

I have a super high pain tolerance (so I've been told by most including the Neuro's I've seen lately) or maybe the decreased sensation in my left leg has gone to my head. LOL~

[nancypants1280]

@ sidesteps: I'm sorry you are having such a hard time with this. It was 13 years since I had mine, but like you they said to go to work the next day...so I did. Headache came on, but wasn't as bad if I cranked my head to one side...needless to say by the end of the day, double vision, MASSIVE headache, overall feeling of crap. Keep your sense of humor...it will help to keep you sane...it's what I hold on to.

[tammy197238]

I didn't get a spinal headache but I did have pain in my neck the next day.  When I bent over to pick something up it would really hurt.  But it only lasted a couple of days.  Hang in there!

[Sidesteps]

Not so much. :) I left work at 11am, drove straight home and have been flat on my back until now. I know! I know! You told me so. :)  

The good news - at least the pain stops when I'm not moving, right? I cancelled all plans this weekend I could and hope to feel well enough to get my kids to their activities Sunday. If not, I'll need help from my parents.

I just keep thinking "The risks were worth some answers...." and "This too shall pass."

I might be delusional. No really. :P

(Yup, I still have a sense of humor.)

[jibjen]

Hi,

I am glad you seem to be able to be managing..Hope it all works out.

Jibs

[Sidesteps]

jibs and Tammy,

My doctor flat out told me they do not like to do the blood patch. Luckily, it's not that bad but I do feel the affects. It wasn't fun last night! I actually feel more like I have meninigitis as most of my pain was in my neck. Odd!

I think it just was an exacerbation, like uthoff's, itstead of a flare but it was induced by the mirgraine. As soon as the migraine subsided the symptoms back off. I'm doing okay this morning. It seems that mine comes on gradually as the day goes on so I'm going to try to leave work early if it happens again today and get to bed.

[tammy197238]

I remember at some point during the actual lumbar puncture I started having issues with shaking because the tech doing it asked if I was cold.  I told him no I just do this sometimes.  Then wheeling me back to the room  I did have some jerking and when talking to me i was stuttering.  But I was right at the end of an a attack and I was so nervous before hand and during the procedure i think me getting upset brought it out.  
I notice if I'm really upset (angry, stressing)  I do tend to show more symptoms like shaking where as before I had MS I just got mad! :)   Hope you feel better soon.  Relax and take it easy for a few days!

[jibjen]

Hey,

It's JibJen. When I had my spinal I did the same thing (kinda) went home after and laid down all day. doc said it would be fine to return to work the next day. I too had slight headache prior to procedure but thought it was from my anxiety about having it done..procedure was a breeze (although in the end it was for nothing because they screwed it up but that's another post)

Anyway, went to work felt good no headache (that was a Thursady) came home and still took it easy. Went to work on Frday and had a slight headache by lunch I had blurry vision, could not walk or stand, was dizzy, neauseated and had a massive headache and stated to vomit.

Had coworker drive me home..Got home and laid down and was absolutely normal..like nothing happened..got up to go to bathroom and the minute I raised my head...everything started over..laid down gone...got up vomit...you get it...

So..I ended up with the spinal headache and went to ER....(the refused to giveme blood patch)..so I do not know if this is what you are experiencing too just my experience....

Jibs

[Sidesteps]

I have other things too - having trouble regulating my body temperature and vibrations, stabbing sensation, cold patches - I think those are my sensory symptoms. right?

(she says with a big frowny face)