Spinal Tap Recovery? PLEASE HELP!

J

jordan 4233

New member
Exactly one week ago, my boyfriend (18 years old) had a spinal tap done because he was being tested for Meningitis. The results were negative, and he is otherwise healthy. However, when he went home after the spinal tap, he began having terrible headaches when he stood up - even just to go to the bathroom after laying down, he would have awful, pounding headaches and immediately have to lay down again. He went to the hospital a few days ago and was there for 2 nights. The doctors said he is just recovering from the spinal tap, and it can be a brutal, painful process. He had a blood patch done, which seemed to relieve his headaches A LITTLE BIT, but he's home again and is still in pain. Granted, there is SOME improvement. He can stand and sit for longer periods of time than last week, and he was even able to shower this morning (shortly), although he said it was very hard, and he feels like the headaches will never go away. He spends his time laying flat in bed because movement hurts him so badly. I'm trying to stay strong and supportive, but I can't help but be concerned. Can anyone tell me how long this will last? Or does anyone have any advice for what he can do to help with the pain? Again, it's been exactly 1 week since the spinal tap, and 3 days since the blood patch. Any help would be so appreciated.
 
stephanie

I am getting a headache just thinking back to December 2005 when I had my spinal tap--my headache lasted a good 7 days before it began to subside. My sister told me to start taking 800 mg of motrin every 4 hours. That is one pill of prescription motrin, but you can get over the counter motrin that contain 200mg pills. So you can safely take 4 pills every 4-6 hours. Careful if he has a sensitive stomach to asprin and if not make sure he takes the motrin with food. Caffeine is also a good cure for the spinal headache. Caffeine opens up the blood vessels in the head. So increase the caffeine intake. Just remember once he feels better than he may develop a less painful headache from the caffeine withdrawl, but this does not last long. I would suggest tapering down on the caffeine when he begins to feel better.

I am surprised that the blood patch did not help relieve the symptoms. That is typically the course of action taken for patient who suffer extreme headaches after a spinal tap.

He does sound like he is slowly getting better if he is now able to stand for an extended period of time.

Gets some Motrin or Extra Strength Tylenol into him with a Extra Large Cup of Coffee or Lots of Coca Cola or Mountain Dew and get him to move around some more. He also needs to increase the amount of water that he drinks, dehydration also could prolong his headaches.

Be a little more patient and if he is not 100% percent improved within the next 7 days I would certainly return to the doctors for him to be reevaluated.

Good luck and let me know how you are both doing.

Brenda
 
Sometimes the blood patch doesn't take as well as it should and will need to be done a second time.
At least thats what they told me when I had mine done, if he is still having pain you need to call in where the blood patch was done and see what they recommend
 
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