Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Support Group
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Have any of you ever had to get a blood patch? This is done if you get a spinal headache following the LP. I'm curious as to how many have had this done. The blood patch was far worse, I thought, than the lumbar puncture. To make matters even worse, it didn't help my headache. I wound up with a migrane AND a spinal headache!
Since I don't live in the city where my neuro lives, I called her about the headache still bothering me. She advised me to go to the ER in my town and ask the attending dr. for some relief through pain medication. Here's the really good part--I did what she said and saw the Dr. (this guy is a doctor who travels to different hospitals in three states on weekends to work in the ER) who basically told me that I was a 'drug seeker' and that it was 'against the law' for him to give me any pain meds. Said he'd LOSE HIS LICENSE if he gave me anything for pain. So I left with nothing. Found some relief with Excedrin Migrane. Finally pain left on its own.
I'm just curious as to what kinds of experiences you have had.
Since I don't live in the city where my neuro lives, I called her about the headache still bothering me. She advised me to go to the ER in my town and ask the attending dr. for some relief through pain medication. Here's the really good part--I did what she said and saw the Dr. (this guy is a doctor who travels to different hospitals in three states on weekends to work in the ER) who basically told me that I was a 'drug seeker' and that it was 'against the law' for him to give me any pain meds. Said he'd LOSE HIS LICENSE if he gave me anything for pain. So I left with nothing. Found some relief with Excedrin Migrane. Finally pain left on its own.
I'm just curious as to what kinds of experiences you have had.
tsdanir
I just recently had a blood patch on April 29th, 2007. I had the lumbar puncture (spinal tap) on the 27th and was fine that day. As the time passed i started getting a headache. I kept popping vicodin and going "night night" to get away from the pain. I didn't move the whole day after. Finally, the second night i started getting worse, then I started throwing up, i couldn't stand up straight and this was the absolute WORSE pain i've ever experienced in my entire life!!!!! I went to the ER and they tried all sorts of crap on my before they decided that I needed a blood patch.... (i knew i needed it in the first place) I had it done and it helped tremendously. I still get headaches, but they are tolerable. It's been two weeks.
deleted_user
OH, I remeber it all to well. It took 3 blood patches to stop the leaking and the head pain. It is terrible. I told myself I would never have anothe LP done. I was in a car wreck in July of 2005. It made the MS worse. They wanted to a LP just to see how everything was. I cried, I fought it, but, my husband said it would be okay and he would not leave my side during this. I threatened the Dr. that if I had problems like last time I would hunt him down! He thought that was funny. But, I have to admit it wasn't as bad as the first one, so I think it depends on who is doing it, and how relaxed and in the right position. I still don't like the idea, but, at least I'm not terrified of them now. And the ER doc was full of it!! It's so great to know that you are not alone in these matters. I feel so blessed to have found Daily Strength. Good luck. God Bless KEl
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