How long will my Lumbar puncture headache last?

[CherryBones23]

I had a lumbar puncture 4 days ago, I am female, 5ft 8 and weigh just under 8st. Ever since the procedure I have had a headache which progressively has gotten worse. Yesterday I could not even stand, the pain is excruciating and when I tried to go for a walk yesterday, I broke into a sweat and started shaking and being sick about 5 times, plus being incredibly dizzy. I am finding the pain very hard to deal with, but I was told this could happen...how long should I expect this to last for and besides lying flat and caffeine, is there anything else which would help?

[kayleighmconnell]

Hi I had LP two days ago now.. I didn't quite know how seriously painful the headaches would be afterwards. I haven't been out of bed since. Anyone any advice on what to do or how to calm them down? Nothing seems to work. Also approximately how long do the headaches last after LP?

[Twinmommy7815]

I had an LP this past Sunday and have been bed ridden since then.  My head hurts so bad I can barely move.  Please tell me your headache is gone now.  

[Katlea]

Hi I am wondering how you guys are now-I had one  2 days ago (15.9.17) and cant get out of bed as the pounding is so bad when I am up right-I really need to get back to work

[blc1971]

I'm a 44-year-old male who had a lumbar puncture in the ER a few months ago. I had the typical headache afterwards and went back to the ER a week later for a blood patch. For over three months following the blood patch, the headaches continued. They were particularly painful mid-day for some reason, and it was extremely painful when I coughed, sneezed, or bent over. I went to several doctors, all of whom said there was no sign that spinal fluid was still leaking. They wanted to run test after test, which I didn't do, and at least one of them thought I was crazy, I'm sure. Well, I'm happy to report that -- FINALLY! -- after three months, my headaches are disappearing. I still feel them from time to time, but the pain is very faint and much less frequent. It seems my body is finally healing. I had a difficult time finding any information about my condition and my doctors didn't know what to think either, so I wanted to share my story. I hope it helps someone else out there.

[emrnewell]

Did you take any meds to get through those three months? My daughter is just hitting the 3 month mark with her spinal headaches after spinal tap in ER as well as two blood patches (both of which only took for a week each). She is improving but it is sooooo slow! She is trying acupuncture now which has been very helpful but most drugs tried on her just caused additional complications so now she takes magnesium and Advil or motrin only when she just can't take the pain. Curious what if anything you took as you waited it out....?

[Gabye33]

I gave birth on 8/26/16 and within seconds of receiving an epidural I felt shaky and like I was having an out of body experience. Then about an hour after I gave birth I started experiencing excruciating headaches to the point that I didnt even want to get up to use the bathroom I was in so much pain. Its now a week later and im all out of the narco and ibeuprofin they prescribed me. im terrified to wake up in pain tomorrow morning. im going to the ER to get a bloodpatch. I wish I had gotten one while still in the hospital but the anesthesiologist scared me into thinking it could make things worse. im really upset bc he poked me like 8 times during the epidural so I could be leaking fluid out of more than one hole. To anybody suffering from a spinal headache I feel your pain!! I can barely take care of my baby...can barely breastfeed laying on my back and I might be ok to stand a few hours during the day but im completely doped up on meds. Will post after the blood patch to let everybody know if it worked. Pray for me please.

[charleyjones]

Hi Matt, you have been on recently, are you continuing to improve? I hope so! I wouldn't wish this on anyone. Please take it easy to be sure you have a full recovery.

[RobertN1961]

My son, 19 had 2 done Saturday the 9th of July. He had 2 b/c the resident could not hit the sac with the fluid. They took a break and came back 45 min later and did it. He is having headaches when he gets up and moves around. Everything else is great. I hoping its b/c they did two and it will end soon.

[charleyjones]

Hi, I am new on this site but I too suffer "spontaneous " CSF leaks and have been since early 2011. How are you doing? I've had many patches and surgeries and I currently have a leak. Mine is around T-3or4, you are the first one I have come across that has a thoracic leak.  Hopefully you are better and are no longer on this site.  I would like to hear from you if you get this message.

[charleyjones]

Although most of you are experiencing a CSF leak from a puncture, I have been suffering from a "spontaneous " CSF leak starting over 5 years ago but the symptoms are the same. After 3 thoracic lamenectomies to access spinal cord for repair  (this was after bedrest, caffeine,  blood patches, etc). Although diagnosed quickly and after traditional therapy didn't work I too experienced most Doctors are unfamiliar with this condition so they look for a different problem or don't know what to do. I read every post above and all the symptoms are very familiar and then some. If your symptoms don't go away do research there are more serious treatments like a glue patch. Doctors at Cedars Sinai in LA are very knowledgeable of this condition and also, very kind) search spontaneous CSF leaks. Video is available to help explain. My leak is anterior (front) and unfortuntely more difficult to treat. After my 3rd repair (3.5 years ago) those familiar symptoms have returned, I  also get a metallic taste in my mouth. I had 2 more surgeries to remove scar tissue, cysts and widen spinal canal.  I have been on my back almost entirely for 5 years. I did have relief periodically but never near normal since my "thunderclap" headache landed me in the ER. Do a lot of research!! My pain is constant and intense, I am unable to sit up even long enough for a meal. My case is extreme, and most likely a small minority.  There is also a good deal of information on nuero talk forums. I know this is lengthy but there is so little information about this debilitating condition, hopefully this info helps someone.

[Gennie2230]

Hello! I also had a spinal tap done by ER doctor on 2/17/16 to test for meningitis cause I had a fever of 102, chills and it felt like my head was about to explode! I was stuck 12 times in my back 10 of which the ER doc missed in attempt to get fluid then he sent me to get it done via CT fluro guided. I had a CSF leak and experienced the WORSE spinal headache ever! It's been almost 5 weeks now and I'm still suffering from headaches. I did not get blood patch. I was seen by a neurologist and he ordered an MRI without contrast and a MRA without contrast to check the nerves in my brain. Well my eye doctor also ordered an MRI with contrast and he also had them to check my orbits (I have glaucoma too) I worked in pain management for 6 years and I remembered that some patients came in for Occipital neuralgia, I looked up the cause and symptoms and it is what I'm suffering from the slurred speech, dull to sharp pain in top of my head mostly the right side, the pain behind my right eye, gait and imbalance is off also vertigo. It said that one of the causes is CSF leak!  There are a number of things listed that helps. One mentioned is Occipital nerve block.  I will see neurologist next week.  Can't wait to see his diagnosis.  I hope all the best for all who suffer from this.  Hello! I also had a spinal tap done by ER doctor on 2/17/16 to test for meningitis cause I had a fever of 102, chills and it felt like my head was about to explode! I was stuck 12 times in my back 10 of which the ER doc missed in attempt to get fluid then he sent me to get it done via CT fluro guided. I experienced the WORSE spinal headache ever! It's been almost 5 weeks now and I'm still suffering from headaches. I did not get blood patch. I was seen by a neurologist and he ordered an MRI without contrast and a MRA without contrast to check the nerves in my brain. Well my eye doctor also ordered an MRI with contrast and he also had them to check my orbits (I have glaucoma too) I worked in pain management for 6 years and I remembered that some patients came in for Occipital neuralgia, I looked up the cause and symptoms and it is what I'm suffering from the slurred speech, dull to sharp pain in top of my head mostly the right side, the pain behind my right eye, gait and imbalance is off also vertigo. It said that one of the causes is CSF leak!  There are a number of things listed that helps. One thing  mentioned that would help is Occipital nerve block which my patients came in to get for relief for headaches!  I will see neurologist next week for results of MRI.   My first visit  with him he said my headaches, slurred speech and memory loss is caused  from the trauma of being stuck so many times.  I can't wait to see what his diagnosis is after he review the MRI results.  I hope this information is useful and I hope all the best for all who suffer from this.  

Genny

[Mattrc77]

How are you doing now, I had an LP done on April 1st and I'm still suffering with them I did have a blood patch the severity went down but I'm still having them day today with eye strain ringing in ears in a lot of cranial pain.

[Hovita]

Thank you for share your story. I am suffering bad from my spinal after giving birth on 2/8/16. I am just starting to have some hope for a full recovery. I had  pressure in the back of my head and mostly back pain.  Nerves Going crazy and painful/  itchiness  all over my body. I drink  plenty of water and tea and  coffee. I still  Lie down flat and it has been 9 weeks going on 10 I am getting better just praying for full recovery. I am thankful to be able to walk  straight, stand and drive now. There is still a lot of nerve pain and feeling like ants to cool water and to fire feeling from head to toe. God bless us all who had or have this.

[Mattrc77]

Hey how is it going?

My headaches have gotten better but now I have worse back pain from the puncture area going to my shoulders and back and have to lay down to stop the pain.

[Seselaine]

Hello! I feel your pain! I'm hoping when you read this that you are hopefully feeling better now as your post was in January. I had severe headaches in January which led to a mri of my brain. It was abnormal and I was sent to a neurologist who felt I had a spinal fluid leak. It was recommended I have a spinal tap to confirm. This was done and like you I developed horrible spinal headaches and needed a blood patch 5 days later on 2/17. Recovery from this has been extremely slow. I spend a great deal of time resting during the day to relieve recurrent headaches and am fatigued. Overall my symptoms are improving but I just don't feel at all like myself and am concerned about getting back into my normal routine and energy level. I am to have another Mri this week to evaluate the healing so I'm hoping for a "normal"reading.  Take care :)

[Mattrc77]

Hi how did your MRI come out if you don't mind me asking?

[Unhappyhead]

I had an LP just over two months ago. Within a few hours and for the first week afterwards, I couldn't sit or stand without severe headache. I could only crawl between bedroom and bathroom. After the week the headache eased off but I was left with a permanent dull headache that feels like I'm underwater at best or at worst my head is in a vice. This is made worse by activity and even a five minute walk was enough for the head in a vice type headache. This is accompanied by dizziness and nausea and the combination of these symptoms has really turned my life upside down. I was off work for two months and the symptoms had slowly improved to where I felt able to return to work. Since going back to work part time, my symptoms have worsened again and the pressure in my head and dizziness are making it really hard to remain positive! Being a teacher of small children it's hard to take it easy at work, but feeling worse again is really starting to get me down. I feel like I'm not able to concentrate at work properly and I'm having to reduce my timetable again next week. One of the worst parts is that no one really gets it and even doctors who I have seen or talked to don't seem to know much about it or understand it. One doctor said after less than a 5 minute consultation said that this couldn't be the lumbar puncture and I was just a bit stressed (this was not the case and I was quite offended) and another doctor just wanted to give me migraine medication. Thankfully I have one gp who has experience of this and he just says rest and carry on as normal when you can. But other people don't seem to have heard of this so I think they are sceptical about how much I am affected. I am now totally fed up and don't really know what to do. I wish I had more of an explanation about what has and is happening to me and wondered if anyone has experienced anything similar and how long it lasted.

[Riyadh711]

Did you finally recover? If yes, how long it took? I had my LP 3 months ago and I have headache since then and unable to work. It has completely changed my life and I am running into depression. Not sure whether I will get back my normal life again.

[mrsmateo1120]

Hello everyone. I am having a problem. 6 yrs ago i had a spinal tap where i ended up in the er after being discharged because i had very back back pain and horrible headaches. These headaches didnt allow me to stand straight or sit up. since then i have had migraines here and there... but for a month now and ONLY on weekends i get this bad headaches where i cant stand straight nor sit up. It took me back to 6 yrs ago when i couldnt do neither of those two. I had a ct scan a month ago and everything came back straight. At this point idk what to do because i cant afford to see a neurologist. Can this pain really come back? and only on weekends? this is crazy. Nothing havent changed. Only that i work monday through friday. I still wake up early on weekends and i am still eating. PLEASE help me! Thank you in advance.

[jac84lp]

UPDATE: It's been 14 months since my lumbar puncture and my headaches are still there. Needless to say, the lp has changed my life. In addition to the headaches, I deal with a loss of balance, sensitivity to sound, muscle spasms and dizziness on a daily basis. I have accepted the fact that my life has changed. I just hope you all have better luck than me and achieve full recovery.

[Riyadh711]

Hi @jac84lp, Did you finally recover? If yes, how long it took? I had my LP 3 months ago and I have headache since then and unable to work. It has completely changed my life and I am running into depression. Not sure whether I will get back my normal life again.

[Riyadh711]

Hi jac84lp, Did you finally recover? If yes, how long it took? I had my LP 3 months ago and I have headache since then and unable to work. It has completely changed my life and I am running into depression. Not sure whether I will get back my normal life again.

[siouxsieb]

I had an LP last year and I have had some whopper headaches but this was extreme. After a week I was ref from my neurologist to a pain spec who preformed a blood patch and within the hour the pain from the LP had completely disappeared. Def wouldn't be rushing to get an LP again.

[stjoespt]

I had a LP 1 month ago to this day. Unlike you however I did not undergo BP due to tingling and numbness in my arm at the time. But after 10 days of excruciating headaches and now 4 weeks later I have the same symptoms you described. I have daily dull headaches, prolonged sitting or motion activity brings on a headache, could be top of head, sides of head, bottom back of head, my ears hurt, no ringing, just pain and I feel like liquid is draining, though I can't see it happening. My headaches are no longer alleviated by laying down.  Neuro says there is nothing to do. Just wait. In the meantime I am going to have an MRI with gadolinium just to take a picture doc says because he's pretty sure my symptoms are consistent with low pressure and only time will heal basically. It is very frustrating, all because of a spinal tap!

[RhondanKY]

This is what i have done that helps.
I had a LP 6 days ago and I have the headache, upper and lower back pain, vomiting and for the first three days unable to hold my urine.
I have found reclining in a chair or laying face down in bed has been helpful. Slowly allowing the chair to go back to a laying position, I mean slowly! I also took a hand towel and made a turicate of it, fastening it with a hair band and when I need more pressure applied I just twist the towel. I got a soft neck brace which helps stabilize my head and keeps it from flopping around and has eased the muscle spasm and nausea due to motion sickness of the flopping. Eating soft foods so I dont have to chew that causes more pain. Two heating pads, one for the neck and the other for the lower back. Once I had my head stabilized my back pain decreased and I then used both heating pads for my upper back to the top of my head.
Drinking coffee and eating some sugary foods help also. There seems not to be one fix all answer, but many continuous actions. I am certain sleep helps but for the life of me couldn't figure out the actions to make that happen for the first 3 days. With sleep I have improved greatly! Whatever you do, do it slowly.
I truly hope this helps the next reader/sufferer.

[Reuben1234]

I had a lumber puncture 14days ago and have a crippling headache and admitted to hospital. I've been on bed rest since but no change as professionals said this was all I needed. What can I do as a blood patch was not thought suitable after 7 days. I'm really desperate. Will this go on its own and how long will it take

[jac84lp]

Hi. I've been suffering from lumbar puncture headaches for the last 4 months. I had a blood patch after 3 days of horrid spinal headaches. Though the headaches are now mild, I continue to have the dull headaches that do not subside when lying down. The headaches are not in one particular area of the head. They occur at the top, back and sides of the head and I get them about 50 times a day. I also have tinnitus which is a constant ringing in my ears. Feeling very frustrated! Do you all still have the headaches? Will it go away?

[Djlucy]

Would a light massage help after a spinal tap for the pain or is it un advisable , it's only 24 hours after but I'm worse today , I can't sit or walk without vomiting and an excruciating headache ..if I tilt my head forward it feels as if I have a string within my head base of neck that extends to the entry point of the tap...

[district1]

8 days of spinal headache  after having C4 C5 nerve root block for chronic neuropathic pain
Only when I lie virtually flat does it subside, but then tinnitus (which I already had) is much worse and nausea and dizziness spoke to consultant anaesthetist and said ring back in a week if no improvement. It seems as if I am getting worse each day and can sit up for less time.

[Titika1972]

Hello everyone I just had LP 11 days ago and Still have severe headache is it normal?

[MaartenKemp]

Hi, how did your recovery proceeded? Thanks.

Maarten

[MaartenKemp]

Hi, how did your recovery proceeded? Thanks.

Maarten

[MaartenKemp]

Hi, how did your recovery proceeded? Thanks.

Maarten

[MaartenKemp]

Hi, how did your recovery proceeded? Thanks.

Maarten

[Mimore]

Have you checked for brain cyst? I have a very small one and neurologist always dismiss my symptoms. The small pineal cyst causes all kinds of headaches specially behind the eyes.