Just had lumbar puncture for cidp diagnosis?

    • Mattrc77
      April 3, 2016 at 11:22 am

      So hey guys I just had a lumbar puncture for my cidp diagnosis I should have the results back on Friday, I had the lumbar puncture at 2 on Friday afternoon I’m still getting the headaches when I stand up and I’m wondering should I wait a total of 5 days to see if they go away or go to the ER room for that so-called blood patch on Monday if they don’t subside?

      Thanks for any help sorry if this is the wrong forum to post this in.

    • jk
      April 3, 2016 at 2:39 pm

      hello and welcome. I recall having a severe headache for days after one of my spinal lumbar punctures. When I called the local ER I was told, ‘go back where they did the procedure.’ Of course, your results may vary.

      I note a web search recommends conservative treatment first. Here’s one suggestion from Mayo Clinic- “Conservative management includes adequate hydration to try to increase CSF pressure. Sometimes this is accomplished by IV hydration or drinking things high in caffeine, such as Mountain Dew soft drink, to produce a vasoconstriction and try to increase CSF pressure in this way. Another treatment may be strict bed rest for 24-48 hours..”

      So, get yourself to bed with a case of mountain Dew and drink up!

      https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/imaging/patients/procedures/epidural-patch.aspx

      The Univ of Wisconsin Dept of Radiology recommends “The initial treatment should consist of fluids and rest
      prior to treating with a blood patch.”

      https://www.radiology.wisc.edu/fileShelf/sections/msk/spine/Blood_Patch_for_CSF_Leaks.pdf?buster=1459668576

      I treated conservatively for days and days. Afterwards I cursed myself for not going to get the blood patch. Too much needless suffering.

      Some sites talk about a 90% success rate on the first patch going up to 95% with a second patch.

      Good luck

    • Mattrc77
      April 3, 2016 at 2:43 pm

      Thanks for the information JK!

    • GH
      April 5, 2016 at 9:57 pm

      If you had the spinal fluid test, I’m guessing you have a neurologist who ordered it. It’s up to your doctor what to do next, unless you have an acute emergency. What does he (or she) say?

    • Mattrc77
      April 6, 2016 at 1:13 am

      Well I’m still waiting from the results but I was able to go to the ER and have a blood patch preform.

    • GH
      April 6, 2016 at 11:43 am

      I don’t know what you mean by “blood patch.” What is it and what is it for?

    • jk
      April 6, 2016 at 1:43 pm

      A blood patch, in this case, is used to treat the patient’s ‘leaking’ lumbar puncture site by inserting some autologous blood back into the area of the original puncture and letting the blood clot thus stopping the leak.

      http://www.webmd.com/pain-management/pain-management-spinal-headaches