My health has now taken another dramatic turn. Whilst in hospital in January, and as part of the testing for Motor Neurone Disease, I had to have a lumbar puncture. As it was a teaching hospital the procedure was performed by a junior doctor (without supervision). After two attempts he failed to get any fluid and I had the most severe pain down my legs, probably the worst pain I ever had in my life. A senior doctor did the third attempt with no problem.
Since being discharged home my back has been a little fragile but a couple of paracetamol usually negates the pain. I was told this was normal for a few weeks after the procedure but my back has got progressively worse and requiring more and more painkillers. Last night after taking 6 paracetamol over the day, then 2 ibuprofen and finally oramorph the severe pain in my back would not subside. At 3.00am this morning I had the First Response medic to the house and then he called the doctor in. The Dr gave me more painkillers and morphine and this did the trick until 8am when it was back with a vengeance. Has anyone else had problems after a lumber puncture?
This really is the most severe back pain (9 out of 10 stuff) and having COPD I cannot (or dare not) cough. I really don't fancy taking painkillers longtime. Good news is that I see my Neurologist on Monday and will be raisin the issue with him as I have never had back issues previously and can only assume the lumbar puncture is to blame.
By the way I have also cancelled my holiday to Spain in June, too many hurdles now. Still trying to keep upbeat but the constant pain is really starting to get me depressed and affecting everything I do.
Written by
Steve-329
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
I think the Junior doctor may have somehow touched the sciatic nerve. You will need a scan to see if anything is going on and good that you are seeing your Neurologist on Monday.
My hubby has such terrible back problems, he doesn't know what to do with himself. I truly hope you can be helped and all will be well. Xxxx
I am sure they do Mardi but just the site where the needle goes in. I don't think it stops all the sensation. The digging around trying to get the Cerebrospinal fluid must be very hard to bear.
Hello Steve-329 . I am so terribly sorry that you had to go through that torture. Three times, I cannot imagine. I can only assume that something was hurt, perhaps a nerve. Years ago I had some dreadful trouble with my back and wouldn't wish it on anyone. Your post made me remember the terrible agony. I remember soaking in hot baths to try and relieve the pain. All this on top of your COPD. You poor man. I can only hope they get to the root of the problem quickly.
I strengthened my abdominal muscles. My doctor told me they were too weak to support my back. However, I am pretty sure your pain is not the same as what I had and will probably need a different expertise. Please do let us know how you go. xx
I had something similar to Caspiana but different too: I was given back exercises by my osteopath to improve the tone in my back muscles as my singing meant I used my abdominal muscles for core strength, making it very easy to damage my back and get slipped discs.
Yes, mine is a lot better too, but I have to keep doing the morning exercises to maintain it. When I stopped doing the exercises for a while, I ended up in hospital with severe spasms from two compressed discs. The exercises the hospital gave me made my back worse as they were for the sacro-iliac joint, not L4 and L5. So I discharged myself and went to a well-recommended osteopath, who sorted everything out in about 3 months. Now I do my morning exercises religiously!
I'm so glad it's better now Ergendl . I cannot imagine worse than that consistent pain , when it's in your back nothing do seems to alleviate it. Good on you keeping your exercises going. Have a lovely Sunday. xx 🌹
Sadly no matter what the grade or experience of the Doctor performing the puncture this can happen as a number of women have found out after epidural during child birth. You should have been told this and other possible risks before giving consent. Happily for you your neurologist should be able to start measures to short this out. I hope it settles soon.
Such a shame you've had to cancel a well deserved holiday. I really hope it improves soon. Roll on Monday when you can get some help. All the best to you. P
So sorry you've had such a bad experience and that it's left you with all this pain. You can't get away from it, can you? I hope you manage to have a quiet weekend, but move about in little walks so that things don't tighten up too much. And hope your neurologist can help you on Monday.
I bought a dvd called pilates for back pain. The exercises are gentle but they really helped me, I've just had a look on amazon and here are quite a few and you'll be able to get them from other places. I really would recommend this.
Poor you, Steve, I had a bad attack of sciatica once, hell on earth. It went in the end, but it was awful while it lasted. One of my daughter had terrible back pain and headaches after an epidural.
The advice these days is to try and keep mobile. Many years ago I damaged my sacro ileac joint in a fall and had to lie down for ages. Itdidn't help. With the more recent sciatica I was encourage to move. At first I needed to two sticks to walk.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Pleurisy? 
Not good news 
Pneumothorax and talc
Pleurisy
Just out of hospital again
