bad lower back pain still 3 weeks after lumbar puncture

[caitie_p]

About 3 1/2 weeks ago i had a lumbar puncture procedure to screen for meningitis. The results came back negative. I am worried because my back pain hasn't gone away like the doctors told me it would. the area where the spinal tap was performes is still veyr tender and if I bend over at all my back hurts very bad, as well as when i get back up. Is this a normal side effect of the lumbar puncture.

     - caitlin

[Cath278]

Hi everybody. I have had a few lumber punctures done and I was sore after all of them.The last one , they had to have 4 goes before they got it right  I was pretty sore for about a month. If you think about it from a practical point of view, 1) they have interfered with a part of your body that has never been touched before.
2) Its a big needle that they use!
3)There is going to be bruising and soreness for a week or two.
4) Rest! If it is sore then lie down, rest and let your body heal.
Dont mind what the drs tell you.When was the last time one of them had one? You know your body.
If you still feel something is wrong, listen to your body, go back to your dr, hospital etc and make them listen to your concerns.
Some times the very thing they are testing for can cause the pain.Ask questions.
The best of luck to you all and I hope you feel better soon. Cath278.

[Mayler]

Did you ever get better? I realize this is long ago, i am in the same boat with backpain after lumbar puncture been 3 weeks. I am so mad I agreed to do the spinal tap.

[kattiespringer]

i would like someone to tell me what im going through is normal. I had a spain tap done when i had my baby in Oct and my back has been in pain and one side of my body goes numb and i have headach.

[JulieCakes]

You and I are in the same boat. I can't hardly move because of the pain. Idj what to do. No pain meds are working.

[Allygirl2559]

My daughter recently had a lumbar puncture to determine if she had MS.   The lumbar puncture was performed by an ER doc and a little RN.   The doctor did not give her much for pain and the little RN had to hold my daughter in a fetal position in order to be still.  The day after the puncture she developed a headache that she could not tolerate so I took her to the local urgent care for some relief of the pain.  The urgent care said it was beyond their scope so they sent her to the ER.  Once at the ER they gave my daughter fluids and typical migraine meds for her headache.   My daughter had three seizures during this time and several episodes of her whole body acting like a Charlie horse - all her muscles contracted at the same time for about 15 seconds.  My daughter had never had a seizure before.

The hospital admitted my daughter for 3 days - they treated her with simple pain meds like tramadol - this child is in constant pain and nothing touches it.  Then other symptoms started, my daughter gradually lost the ability to walk - she has no ability to walk - her brain is trying to communicate with her legs but can't.  Also, my daughter has periods of blindness - just out of nowhere - she will lose her sight in both eyes for about 30 mins or so and then the sight returns.  

Has anyone else had these kind of symptoms from a LP and if so, were they temporary.  

I feel so helpless and I can't get anyone to help her - they think that it will cure itself.   Yet they leave her in so much pain.  

[99jj99]

My name is Jose, I am a 33yr old former army medic and paramedic. I had an anaphylactic response to Amoxycillan during basic training and had a seizure. the Doctors told me the lumbar puncture was given to rule out meningitis. I had the normal back pain for the first year or two when it would get cold. The doctors also told me the pain might increase with time. I did not know that meant pain so severe you can't sleep, you feel nauseous if you move, bowel control is iffy, etc, etc. I have spoken to several individuals who suffer the same. My own personal beliefs will not let me take any kind of opiate/heroin based pain reliever so I am in constant pain any time an electrical signal runs through my nervous system, which is all the time. Now if you are comfortable with the legal heroin trade many doctors are part of them lumbar punctures are a routine diagnostic tool and all the problems that arise from them can be masked with drugs. In summation, unless you can afford to be a doped up zombie I would avoid getting a lumbar puncture done. Sorry for the rant, when you are in constant pain you get real angry about simple stuff.

[nikkijholt]

I had my lumber puncture in November 2012. I don't remember the procedure due to me suffering several strokes but apparently the first Dr made a mess of it and had to get someone else in to sort it out. I was left quiet bruised after, I was told. Ever since then I have had lower back pain but particularly if the area where it was done is pressed on. i.e. if my 4yo daughter tries to sit on my back to play horsey, which we always did before I got sick so I'm not blaming her. But I would like to know if it normal to still have this pain or if there is anything I can do to stop the pain :( Once its been aggravated the pain lasts quiet a while. Could this be due to the Lumber puncture or am I just connecting dots that don't really connect? Many Thanks in advance.

[Nicole_F]

I had a lumber puncture done almost 2 years ago and the nurse told me i may feel a pain going down my legs.. instead i had a pain going up my back and the nurse told me that it couldn't be and acted as if i was making things up.. they made me lie down on my back for 12 hours before i was allowed to move and now, 2 years later, i am still suffering from severe back pains.. i was 18 at the time and i am now 20..

[Abbydabby36]

I had mine done in Dec. 2013...Now June of 2014...still not right.  Hit a nerve in my right leg 3 times during procedure

[RachSimpson]

I am a 27yr old female& in June I had my second daughter&my second spinal block done. The crna that came to do tried to numb me several times, but after each time she did then tried to do the spinal i could feel it on the left side of my spine, she poked& proded me for about 45 min,I could feel blood running down my back& she literally scrubbed the skin off where she was trying to do the spinal, it was very painful. Finally  my ob nurse told her to stop&they would get someone else to try. The other crna had no problems&was done in15 min. After my delivery I had sever lower back&butt pain, it felt like I was sitting on my tail bone,I thought it was due to the delivery bed, but for the last6 months I've had sever lower back pain that radiates to my butt& legs, I've tried OTC pain aids& icy hot&heating pad, but it only dulls the pain temporarily. Any suggestions will be appreciated!

[grumpygirl1]

I had a lumber puncture a week ago tomorrow, 2 days later had to go back to er for a blood patch because my back and headache was unbearable. It's now been 4 days since the blood patch and my back still hurts, my head and eyes still hurt and I get dizzy and nauseous. I have been out of work for a week now. How long will this all take to go away? My neurologist want me to start taking Diamox...anyone heard of this? I have an appt. tomorrow morning with my primary doctor.....any help or advice is welcome.

thanks
grumpygirl

[aliceaberry]

I have had 4 lumbar nerve blocks with out a complications...and have felt great after 10 days.  I had one Tuesday and have developed a real bad headache. Was told to drink fluids,(esp with caffine), rest and use heating pad........it has really helped. Of course, the dr will always say if it gets worse, come in for a plug.  Mine is slightly going away, so I know it will heal itself.  As far as the lumbar nerve blocks...they are heaven sent to me and the pain is so much less.  I can not take many medicines or pain meds due to chronic kidney disease and low kidney function...so I rarelt take anything before, or afterwards.  Praying for you all to feel better.  If no headache, I am told to get out of bed, walk length of house twice  every 1 hr...That may be the key...staying in bed is never good on the body.

[Mdiazdeleon]

I had a very bad headache that made me visit the ER.They preform a spinal tap to check for menagities.So then send me home with a diagnos of Pseudo tumor Celebri.My headache never went away it got worst and worse.So the next day I went to a different hospital where I got something for my pain and the release me to go home.That didn't help me at all my headaches got worse that I felt my brain was going to bust inside of me.Then I went again back to the ER I went the second time.Then they had realized that the first lumber punture wasnt measure for pressure.So they had to do a second one that showed pressure was normal and send me home the same day with a follow up to a Neuro Dr.Well thank god that I was release at 7am and able to see a Neuro Dr the same day.At 10 am my pain was so bad I got to his office sreaming and throwing up.Thats when he saw me and admited me to the hospital to do a epidural blood patch that healed my headaches on the spot.Now the only thing left is my lower back pain and my right leg that suffer from cramps...

[andrea69]

wrong i had a blood patch done for my hydrocephalas migraines,as my regular lp from days earlier the hole wasnt closed and it didnt work,so neurologist sent me in for my first ever blood patch ,to see if that would relieve my symptoms it helped my headaches but later that day when they let me go home I noticed when I arose to go to the bathroom I lost grip with my legs and my tailbone area hurt so bad I couldnt stand it plus I had lots of bruises and now its been 3 weeks and the symptoms are not any better.I was wondering if vy havig this 1 time blood patch screwed me up nerve wise ,As I can barely stand up.This nevr happen with my regular spinal taps I get so why now?

[natali082]

I don't' trust  in doctors anymore, they don't care about us, the patients. They are saying we're crazy, well they are so ignorant and arrogant people. Hard to believe them when they fail so much and give us stupid answers.

I have had a lumbar punct and I'm experiencing horrible pain in my legs. I hope you find relieve soon. The pain is so bad.
The doctors are only making us sicker.

[sittinginlimbo]

Had a LP this am (6/11/13) - been lying flat & drinking ridiculous amounts of caffeine...only get up to eat or use the bathroom. Pain in my lower back & hips is severe, sitting to use the toilet or to get back into a horizontal position is excruciating. I have already started with severe pain in my neck & shoulders, as well as getting a migraine that is increasing worse as time goes on. It took about 8 hours from the completion of the procedure for the headache to escalate to a full blown migraine. I am extremely nauseous, dizzy, having vision issues & keep losing feeling (more like pins & needles at times) in my hands. I have taken 2 percocets with no relief & zofran for the nausea to no avail. I am also shaking a lot. Lying down is not really relieving the migraine. I have had 2 previous LP's in the past that have required a blood patch. Any ideas on my next course of action if things continue to escalate?

[ysh65]

Hi,
  I was diagnosed with pseudo tumor a year ago.  My neurologist suggested weight loss to reduce swelling and I lost 30 pounds.  It made the pressure reduce dramatically.  I have had about 6 spinal taps in a year and the recent one was painful.  I had lower back pain for about a week and it went away.  That was 3 weeks ago and now I am experiencing severe pain in my neck.  This latest LT shows the spinal fluid pressure is increasing again.  This concerns me because I have vision problems now because of the past pressure.  I have to wear glasses now.  I would recommend weight loss if any of you have pseudo tumor...  That is helping me....

[MsNathan]

I went to the hospital for migrainesand ear infection and they decided to do a spinal tap on my back to check for some other illness and they did the test I was told to lay straight on my back for an hour and then released but only yo return within 2 days of the procedure because my migraines was worse and now I have ex stream pain from my neck down to my feet and then they did a blood patch and I'm still in pain and it has been a month my back still hurts I take the pain pills and the pain moves from my lower back to the middle of my back to my neck then moves it way back down a on going pain wat is left to do with these Complications

[prashprash123]

Hi Misty,

How are you feeling aftee you recovered? post LP?? i guess its almost more than a year now? Evene i had an LP done around 7 months back and am almost bed-ridden since LP, I had three mri's done but nothing has comeout in the MRI, I experience severe Neck pain and lower back pain

[suzan452]

I went in the emergancy room for a migraine to maybe even a sinus pressure. And they gave me a spinal tap. To make sure I didnt have bleeding in the brain. The Dr told me that she did hundreds of them. But now I think that I was her first one. Because a Dr was tell her what to do. She hit the nerve in my left leg three times. And I screamed every time. Now I have pain that shoots from my back straight down my leg and then some times I get a tingley feeling in my toes. I can stand or walk for a long time. If I sqwat it makes it feel a little better. I am gonna go to get therapy on Monday. Hope that helps. I can't even go to work any more. If anyone gets better or has any suggestions please let me know. I didnt think that there was this many people with this same problem. I thought I was crazy. The Dr's don't even know what to do. Spasm pills dont help.

[tracywood]

has anyone suffered palpitations after having their lumber puncture, I had mine done two days ago after the 5th attempt they got it under guided xray, but since i got home i havent had any real headache I have just felt very washed out, with constant palpatations??  has anyone else experienced this?

[melzcookie]

Hi everyone. I recently had 2 Lumbar Punctures performed within 8 hours of each other. Unfortunately both were unsuccessful.
The second was by far the worse and left me with severe swelling, bruising and back pain. I was in hospital for 5 days, it was pretty awful.
The good news is though that the chances of things going horribly wrong during these procedures are slim, the body simply needs time to heal.
I was on some pretty heavy pain med and unable to even lie down however i am happy to report that 6 days later i am starting to come good.
I can only hope that it is the same for everyone else too, it will be painful and some people may take longer to heal than others but just remember there is a light at the end of the tunnel.. take it easy and hopefully all will work out okay for you.. Heat worked the best for me :-) Hope this helps

[Jussy2012]

I feel slightly less on my own since reading all the comments that are so similar to my own experience I have recently come out of hospital with being rushed In with severe thunderclap headache stiff neck and photophobia and nausea a blood test was done for meningitis all clear thank goodness. I then slept on / off for two days and sent home. then 2 days later and still In a lot of pain I decided to see my gp who referred me straight back upto the consultant I was re admitted and then the tests began. I had a lumbar puncture tried and dr failed I ended up passing out from the pain and on a iv fluids overnight.
The following day u had another consultant round who said i had to go for a ct scan this came back clear so she suggested I had another lumbar puncture done which I agreed to after over an hour and around 8or9 very painful attempts later she still couldn't get any csf so I was then later that day sent upto theatre for an anethatist to try finally after an hour and a half and yet another 2 attepmts in theatre later he managed to get the precious csf. After 2 days of waiting I got the results two of the test were fine but one came back borderline, i then had a. CT angiogram done the next day and was sent home without any explanations only that it was a severe headache / migriene and go and see my gp if the headaches persists which they did. Now a week later I am in a lot of pain with my back and keep getting sharp pains in my lower legs to go along with my still banging headaches at the back of my head and near my ear and stiff neck . I have been informed today by my gp that my ct angiogram wasn't completely clear and has been sent for further analysis by a team of consultants at a big  hosp. I am really fed up confused exhausted and in pain and just want this nightmare to end now  I have had enough. hopefully I will get some answers soon and I can get on with my life without experiencing any pain I have never felt or beenso ill in all my life

[Rellie3131]

I had an LP on March 23rd and was diagnosed with idiopathic intracranial hypertension.  On the 26th I needed and epidural blood patch to stop the leaaking spinal fluid.  

I still have a headache but it is much better.  The pain in my back and legs is another story.  I do not feel the pain at the LP site but all alone my tailbone and hips.  I use a heating pad regularly and it help but this is ridiculous.  I see my neurologist on Friday so I will see what if anything he has to say about it.

I wa going to return to work tomorrow but I just don't feel well enough.