Whats a lumbar puncture like and why do you have to lie on your back afterwards?

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I'm going for a lumbar puncture and I've read up on the procedure so I'd just like to hear some personal experiences.

They told me that I will have to lie on my back for at least 3 hours before I can start moving again and then they still said I most probably will spend the rest of the day in bed. Does anyone have an explanation for that?
A lumbar puncture is like a spinal anesthetic, but the needle is a bit larger to allow the cerebral spinal fluid to be collected ( a spinal needle is so small it would take forever to collect the fluid).

The SKIN over your back is the only well innervated part - so it is numbed with local anesthesia (lidocaine). After that, as long as they can find a clear passage between the bones, it is not painful, only uncomfortable, because they go VERY slow in the interest of safety (not going too far by accident) and because you have to scrunch over and hump your LOWER back out like a cat the whole time.

If you are really worried, ask that it be done by an anesthesiologist. ER docs often do them, but they tend to be a little less practiced (no offense to any ER docs out there).

Because there is a hole in the tissue or "skin" around your spine, it will continue to leak some even after the procedure. By laying down, you reduce the effect of gravity pushing even more fluid out, which can produce a "post-spinal headache" if too much leaks out.  (+ info)

What causes headaches and what kind of headache is this?

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I have had a headache since about 1pm. I keep forgetting to take something for it but yet is hasn't gone on its own.

My headache is on the top of my head no in the back more toward the front.
Tension-type headaches affect almost everyone at some point. Those that happen occasionally are just that: occasional headaches. Some people, however, have tension-type headaches just about every day, and these are considered to be chronic. Headache symptoms for tension-type headaches usually include pressure or muscle tension on both sides of the head or back of the neck; the pain is usually constant, not sharp or throbbing. Many people describe them as like having a band squeezed around their head.Hormone headaches are menstrual headaches that may start before your period is due or while you’re menstruating. Migraines are often associated with menstruation, and symptoms include sharp, throbbing pain on one side of the head, nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light, sound, and even touch.Cluster headaches affect men more often than women. They are extremely intense, very severe headaches that last between 30 and 45 minutes; you can have several in one day. They usually come on with no warning, catching people by surprise. The pain is piercing and usually located on one side of the head, often around the eye. People also report teary eyes on the affected side and sinus congestion. The headaches will recur over a period of time, almost always on the same side, and are followed by a headache-free period of varying length.Migraines are often put in a class by themselves because of the intensity of the pain and the overall effect they have on the body. For some people, migraine symptoms include auras, which are symptoms that occur before the pain hits. The auras can be visual (seeing lines or spots) or they can cause motor or verbal disturbances. “It’s estimated that 50 million people in the United States have migraine,” says Dr. Herzog. However, most do not have migraine with aura.  (+ info)

Does LUMBAR PUNCTURE affect the menstrual period?

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does the lumbar puncture affect the menstrual period? i got my LP done on 12/06/08 and i suffered from post-lumbar headache and im still dealing with some left leg pain. My last period was on 11/30/08 and i still didn't get my period yet and im not sexually active. please help.

***BEST ANSWER GETS 10 POINTS***
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How much cerebro spinal fluid is removed during a diagnostic lumbar puncture ?

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I have read various things on the net ... some say 10 drops into 3 bottles and some say 2 ml per bottle ? What are the typical volume (in mL) that is removed during a lumbar puncture ?
Thank you
Nirmala,
4 tubes are each filled with about 5 to 10 mL of CSF for testing.


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It is extremely important to obtain an accurate diagnosis before trying to find a cure. Many diseases and conditions share common symptoms.


The information provided here should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.


Hope this helps
matador 89  (+ info)

How long do I need to wait till I can go back to everyday activity after a lumbar puncture?

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I had a lumbar puncture yesterday and with my 2nd job I am lifting boxes from I would say 5-20 lbs each and standing for 4 hrs. I just want to make sure I am okay with going back to everyday activities the day after the procedure.
I guess it depends on how it went and how much pain your in. I had it done on Saturday and i'm only just starting to get back to normal now. Don't know about you but for me the procedure itself went terribly; very painful and the doctor took numerous attempts before she even got to the spinal fluid. As a result there has a lot of tissue damage and bruising. I couldn't bend my back at all for at least three days and the area of insertion was unbelievably painful to the touch. Now the pain has almost all gone but i am still taking strong pain killers. Lifting objects and bending my back does still cause problems even now but by Saturday i think i should be back to normal.
So it all depends on how the procedure went really, you should be 100% after no more than a week, go ask your doctor if your worried. Hope this helped, as i understand the burden it can be.  (+ info)

What to do if we have prolonged headache after hitting our head?

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My friend hit her head on a tree forcefully. It swells on that area and she had a headache. After 2 days swelling is gone but she had headache. Since the day she hit she is having the headache. Now it's more than a month and even now she had the headache. What should she do? Is it critical?
Will it be dangerous?
That is just a little case of whiplash where the muscles in the neck got tight from trying to keep the head straight while the tree wanted to place her head in another place. Once she releases the muscles in her neck the headache will be gone. Here is how to release the muscles:
For your neck:
place your hand alongside your head and push your thumb in under your ear and place it on the muscle there. Take your fingers and place them on the back of your neck on the muscles there. Press them together and hold a good amount of pressure on them. Then relax, take a deep breath and exhale. After 30 seconds you should be feeling the muscle going limp under the pressure. Continue to hold until the entire muscle has gone limp, then lean your head forward as far as you can, release the pressure but hold your head there for another 30 seconds.
If all the pain doesn't go away at first, she should try doing it one more time.  (+ info)

Why do I get a headache right as I start drinking alcohol?

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Ever since I went on a HUGE binge, I now get a headache right after I take my first swallow of hard alcohol. I don't get it from beer, only hard alcohol. I could drink beer all night long without getting a headache, but right as I drink hard A, there it is. Before my HUGE binge, I could drink hard A fine without getting a headache.
Many people get migraines from alcohol..hard to believe right?. The clue is it is happening just after drinking..a bad throbbing headache, nausea. Some hard alcohols also have additives now which could be the problem if beer isn't causing this.

Believe it or not, binging can cause brain damage at a microscopic level. Your brain is now irritated to some degree and cannot tolerate what it could before. If this really bothers you see your doctor and tell them this.

The obvious answer here is...why do you want to inflict brain damage on yourself? Not to mention the liver..  (+ info)

What causes a headache in the same spot above an eye?

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What could possibly cause this kind of a headache...It's usually in one spot above the right eye. This has been going on for about 9 months now and the headaches come randomly about 3-4 times a week (doesn't seem to be caused because of change in weather). The pain is usually sharp just in that area. Could this be serious or is it just a normal thing to deal with? What can cause this and what can be done to prevent it other then to drink pills?
Most headaches around the eyes are one of two types - either migraine, or sinus headache; you may be able to determine which one it is likely to be by the following:

A migraine headache is virtually entirely on one side of the head; it is often accompanied by nausea, and sensitivity to light and/or sound. Some people experience an "aura" shortly before the migraine begins; it can be visual, auditory, or even olfactory (sense of smell). A migraine is often helped by being in a cool, dark room, and often disappears after a period of sleep. The causes of migraines are not fully understood, but there are prescription medications that can help; ibuprofen helps some people, but usually it doesn't do much. Some people also respond to medications or liquids containing caffeine.

Sinus headaches behave differently. Generally, the pain is on both sides of the face, and often worst near the cheekbones or around the eyes. Light or sound generally have little if any effect on the headache. Cool surroundings often make the sufferer feel worse; warm compresses or a heating pad often help. Sinus headaches generally respond well to ibuprofen or Tylenol, particularly if combined with sudafed/pseudoephedrine (like Tylenol Sinus formula or a similar medication).

If either one of these sounds familiar, then check with your doctor - particularly if it is a migraine, as the only really effective migraine medications are prescription-only preparations. Even if none of the above sounds familiar, it sounds to me like it's time to see your doctor. Good luck!  (+ info)

Info about post-coital headache?

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Over the last few weeks I've developed post-coital headaches. Orgasm is irrelevant. The pain is severe and lasts about 10 minutes.

I have a history of migraines (20 yrs).

I've not started any new medicines or had any changes in my routine.

Any ideas?
I also suffer from migraines. They SUCK.
There is newer evidence that points toward a hormonal component to migraine H/A.
Now, if you've gone post-coital for weeks I'd suggest get in, be seen and schedule an MRI or possible MRA, alright? Better safe than sorry.
Be well :)  (+ info)

If you accidentally puncture a varicose vein in your left leg will keeping pressure on it stop the bleeding?

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The puncture is on the left side of the upper left leg . Right above the knee area.
all bleeding stops, eventually. Yes, if you apply pressure to the puncture for at least ten minutes, it should stop bleeding, then be sure to cover with a dressing and keep it covered until it heals completely.  (+ info)

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