Lumbar puncture advice/experience

[Shmebulock]

I had an x Ray guided lumbar puncture yesterday at 9am and the headache I've had since is horrendous, unless I'm laying down. It feels like my head is going to cave in when I try to sit up. The nurse told me it could last for 3 days but I'm hoping tomorrow I'll be able to move around.
The reason for having it was for a diagnosis of intercranial hypertension and my pulsatile tinnitus has stopped for the 1st time in 2 years since I had the procedure yesterday so it was worth it for that at least. Sorry if my post sounds scary, it's not my intention. I actually came here to see if there are any tips for dealing with the headache after. I hope your procedure goes well.

 

[TwooTwooTwitTwitTwoo]

I’m due to have a lumbar puncture to release some pressure that causing headaches as no medication is easing the pain but I read that having one can cause a headache. Has anyone experienced this and how long does it last and was worth it?

My lumbar puncture was for diagnostic rather than treatment purposes. I will be completely honest... the headache was bad, unlike anything I've ever felt and I have a long term migraine condition so am used to head pain. I ended up back in hospital and was unable to stand/walk without a stick for about two weeks because my balance was affected.

However, given you are living in pain, I'd risk it. There are many more people that have problem free lumbar punctures than problematic ones and there is a way for them to treat the headache if they catch it early. If comparively short lived pain, leads to the gain of you living a pain free life in the future I'd definitely take that chance.

 

[ProseccoQueen69]

Hello another IIHer here, I've had several since being diagnosed 20 years ago.
They're uncomfortable and sometimes painful but nothing compared to the pain you've probably been living with. You may have what's called a "low pressure" headache afterwards. Advice is usually to lay flat for as long as you can afterwards.
Some I've recovered from in a few hours and others a day or two.
You should feel much better a few hours after though.
Hope it goes well for you x

 

[leon19]

I had one and didn't get a headache afterwards. I was told to lay down for so many hours after can't remember how many and I did as I was in hospital anyway and never got a headache afterwards. I remember someone on my ward had one and they got up too soon and had a bad headache for a few days

 

[jimmyj123]

I’m due to have a lumbar puncture to release some pressure that causing headaches as no medication is easing the pain but I read that having one can cause a headache. Has anyone experienced this and how long does it last and was worth it?

 

[somersetgirl]

I’m due to have a lumbar puncture to release some pressure that causing headaches as no medication is easing the pain but I read that having one can cause a headache. Has anyone experienced this and how long does it last and was worth it?

Full fat coke. My daughter had 2 and a half years of treatment for leukaemia. Lumbar every six weeks, full fat cole straight after the procedure. Works every time.