LP reactions
Hi, a few days ago I had the dreaded LP. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be but I was wondering if any one of you had an awful reaction to it? I was fine afterwards and the next day (apart from a sore back) but now I can't seem to sit. I get a terrible stiff neck and sore head. It was so painful that while I was driving to work today I had to pull over to vomit. Not my finest hour! I phoned the doctor whose given me painkillers but just wondering if any one else had this problem and how long before it got better. I can't sit, only lay down or stand.
Hi,
! I am glad your lumbar puncture went well overall, but I am sorry you are experiencing some lingering effects from the procedure. I know you were pretty nervous in the lead up to this appointment, so I am so glad it went well, but UGH, those side effects stink! It's not uncommon to experience side effects following the procedure, but they should start diminishing pretty soon. Did your doctor offer any input? Have you been able to get some doses of the pain medication in your system yet? Is it helping?
Here's some interesting information on the LP that might be helpful -- https://multiplesclerosis.net/living-with-ms/ensure-painless-successful-lumbar-puncture. And here's some basic info from the Mayo Clinic (spoiler alert -- back pain and radiating leg pain are potential side effects) -- https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/lumbar-puncture/about/pac-20394631.
I know a number of our members have had this procedure done and I hope they see your comment and share some helpful insight with you.
Hang in there and I hope this passes very soon!
Best, Erin, MultipleSclerosis.net Team Member.Thanx Erin, I ended up in Emergency. Never ever again will I have one of those. It took morphine and countless other meds in drips for the headache to go. Still feeling wonky but at least I'm home and no more headaches. Literally felt like my head was exploding.
, oh gosh! I am so, so sorry you ended up in the ER! And you can definitely have a flag put in your medical records/charts that you do not react well (well, your body doesn't) to the LP and they should be avoided at all costs.
Those LP headaches are the worst, I have been told. I am sure you thinking, "Well, duh!"
I do hope you start feeling better and the headache finally goes away.
Gentle Hugs, Erin, MultipleSclerosis.net Team Member.: I am a Registered Nurse. You should have been advised by the health care physician/nurses/team who performed the lumbar puncture that one of the significant after/side effects of an LP is a "spinal headache". They should have provided education as to what you might have to expect, what to do if you experience a spinal headache, and any measures you may use at home to alleviate the symptoms. After all the symptoms and distress you experienced, the best thing you did for yourself was going to the emergency department at a hospital. It is too bad that you weren't advised before the LP or before you were discharged after the procedure about the potential for a spinal headache after effect, you could have (hopefully) avoided much suffering. Did the health care team have you lie flat on the stretcher for at least an hour? Hope you are feeling better now.
They didn't tell me that the probability of getting a headache was so high, they did say that I might. I was shocked that so many people do get headaches from it because I do suffer from migraines badly. It was strange because when the doctor put the needle in, he went "oh" and muttered something. I asked if all was good and he was a bit annoyed with me. I didn't want to press the matter as he seemed cross for some reason. I wonder if he knew that he had accidently punctured the sac or something. I lay down for about 1/2 hour. Never ever again. I was hoping that my neuro would say that I didn't need the LP because I had all of the other tests that I had had. I just hope that it was good enough for what he needed. We will soon see as I get my results next week.
they didn't even mention my migraines, I had to remind them. I was just a number in a line. 
How frustrating,
. I hope you never have to endure anything like this again. Gentle hugs. - Lori (Team Member)
