Question 1

are headaches after spinal taps normal? especially lasting 2-3 days? one doctor told me take ibruprofen while another said to call and possibly go to the doctors/er. im lost. i have no nausea, dizziness, etc. just a achy minor sharp pain.

Accepted Answer

Not uncommon: Post lumbar puncture headaches (spinal tap) are not uncommon and can occur in 1/3 of patients. They usually start within 2-3 days but can occur after a week.  If your headache gets worse get in touch with the doctor who performed the spinal tap. Most of these headaches will resolve within 2 weeks.

Question 2

how often do you get a persistent spinal tap headache after a spinal tap at the e.r.?

Accepted Answer

Spinal tap: The most common side effect from this procedure is a headache, and this headache can be quite severe and last days after the spinal tap. In order to minimize the chance of a headache developing you should restrict all activity for the day of the procedure. However, if you do experience a headache, limited activity consisting of bed rest, fluid intake and caffeine usually helps the headache resolve.

Question 3

did i have a botched spinal tap? headache.

Accepted Answer

Maybe: Headache is common after a spinal tap, and is classically worse with sitting or standing up and better with lying down.  While post-tap headache usually improves with time, fluids, and caffeine, it sometimes requires a procedure known as a blood patch to make it go away.

Question 4

is it normal to have a post spinal tap headache for two weeks?

Accepted Answer

Spinal tap: Post spinal tap headache is not uncommon. The headache usually gets better with time. By 10-15 days it should be gone.  An epidural blood patch is usually used to treat this within about 3-4 days of the headaches and its about 99% effective.

Question 5

i had continuous headaches that got worse and they did a spinal tap and it was gone. but now my headaches are back 2 years later. what do i have?

Accepted Answer

Headaches can be: caused by many different things and there is no reason to think that what was wrong two years ago is the same thing now. If your headaches are recurrent and severe you should see a health care provider for evaluation of your current problem.

Question 6

i did a spinal tap on monday and ever since i have a headache when i stand or sit and only gets better when i lay down is it normal i can only sit for 5 minutes and it starts again?

Accepted Answer

Spinal tap headache.: Call the doctor who did the spinal tap. This can be from the loss of fluid after the tap.

Question 7

spinal tap headache. whats a blood patch?

Accepted Answer

See below: A spinal tap headache is due to CSF leaking thru the puncture site in the dura following a spinal tap. Normally the puncture closes following the tap .During  a blood patch, is a sample of your own blood is placed in the area outside the dura by a spinal tap. The blood clots, closing the puncture site and the headache resolves. The blood is reabsorbed over time.

Question 8

i received a spinal tap and now i have a spinal headache. i have been laying down and staying very hydrated. how long can i expect it to last?

Accepted Answer

A day: If not improving after about 24hrs, an epidural blood patch may be recommended.

Question 9

after my spinal tap i had a headache upon standing for 3-4 days. it's beginning to subside. is this typical of a spinal headache? can i go for a run?

Accepted Answer

Wait: A headache following an LP is caused by intracranial hypotension and is usually temporary as seems to be your case since your headache is subsiding. But if you still have symptoms I would wait on running. Drink fluids, add NaCl tablets, caffeine, and bed rest until headache is gone. If symptoms persist, see your PCP for further evaluation and management.

Question 10

how long can a lumbar puncture/ spinal tap headache last?

Accepted Answer

Few days: Usually stop after few days, lay down that will help if the headache got bad go back to see your doctor.

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Doctor answers about:

Headaches after spinal tap

A member asked:

Are headaches after spinal taps normal? especially lasting 2-3 days? one doctor told me take ibruprofen while another said to call and possibly go to the doctors/er. im lost. i have no nausea, dizziness, etc. just a achy minor sharp pain.

A member asked:

How often do you get a persistent spinal tap headache after a spinal tap at the e.r.?

A member asked:

Did i have a botched spinal tap? headache.

A member asked:

Is it normal to have a post spinal tap headache for two weeks?

A member asked:

I had continuous headaches that got worse and they did a spinal tap and it was gone. but now my headaches are back 2 years later. what do i have?

A member asked:

I did a spinal tap on monday and ever since i have a headache when i stand or sit and only gets better when i lay down is it normal i can only sit for 5 minutes and it starts again?

A member asked:

Spinal tap headache. whats a blood patch?

A member asked:

I received a spinal tap and now i have a spinal headache. i have been laying down and staying very hydrated. how long can i expect it to last?

A member asked:

After my spinal tap i had a headache upon standing for 3-4 days. it's beginning to subside. is this typical of a spinal headache? can i go for a run?

A member asked:

How long can a lumbar puncture/ spinal tap headache last?

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