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?

[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.