A 35-year-old member asked:
How long can a lumbar puncture/ spinal tap headache last?
3 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
Dr. Ahmad M Hadiedanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 51 years experience
Few days: Usually stop after few days, lay down that will help if the headache got bad go back to see your doctor.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Robert Alexanderanswered
Plastic Surgery 29 years experience
Days: Varies, but often can take a few days to completely go away. If the headaches are increasing or accompanied by other symptoms (stiffness, fever, neck pain, etc) you should see the physician that did the spinal sampling. It takes a bit of time to restore the volume of fluid drawn during that time headache (alone) are not uncommon.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. William Jenkinsanswered
Specializes in Anesthesiology
Duration: It can last from two days to rarely a month, cured immediately most of the time with an epidural blood patch.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.3k viewsReviewed >2 years agoMerged
Dr. Marco Coppola commented
Emergency Medicine 34 years experience
Drinking lots of fluids including coffee helps!
Jan 12, 2017
Similar questions
A 36-year-old member asked:
I got a spinal tap / lumbar puncture today?
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Heidi Fowleranswered
Psychiatry 27 years experience
If you have a: Specific question about the procedure or symptoms afterwards then please clarify and re-ask the question.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:
How much time does a lumbar puncture/ spinal tap headache last?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Benjamin Solomonanswered
39 years experience
Post LP Headache: Post lumbar puncture/spinal tap headaches last until the tiny hole in the dura seals. This can be years but is usually a day or 3. Typically, the cure is to lay flat for 24 hours to keep the pressure low and allow the tiny hole in the dura to heal which it almost always does. Lots of caffeine is helpful too. You may want to call your dr and ask about a blood patch.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Spinal tap / lumbar puncture headache, is there anything i can do to relieve this?
1 doctor answer • 5 doctors weighed in
Dr. Matthew Kozminskianswered
Neurology 18 years experience
Yes: Rest, fluids, caffeine, over the counter medications. If these do not work, a blood patch may be needed. This is where any anesthesiologist injects your own blood in the region of your lumbar puncture. The blood clots over the hole left from your lumbar puncture and your pressure rebuilds again.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
What's the difference between a spinal tap and lumbar puncture?
1 doctor answer • 4 doctors weighed in
Dr. Kevin Vaughtanswered
30 years experience
Same thing : Lumbar puncture is the proper term.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Jan 12, 2017
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