Spinal tap 9 days ago and having low back pain and leg cramps. How long does this last?

Question

I had a spinal tap to diaganose viral meningitous 9 days ago. The proceedure it's self was not that painful. The Dr. heavily medicated me just before the procedure knowing I was absoluletly terrified do to a "horrific epidural experience" during childbirth. I had the expected headache, but was on high does of pain killers anyway for the meningitous. Now that I have recovered from my severe neck pain and headache, I am left with a very sore low back and ackey legs. I am walking at a snails pace. My Dr told me not to take any asprin or motrin for inflamation due to the higher risk of Reye Syndrome that could develope after a bad viral infection when taking those types of medications. This is all across my very low back, like a wide stip going from hip to hip. Has anyone else
experienced low back pain after a spinal tap? How long does this last?

Answer 1

Use icepacks on the area of the injection. Ice for fifteen minutes at a time. Then wait 30 minutes and reapply . This should start taking down the pain very quickly. I've had this done and know that this works.

If you have any further questions please let me know,
Billie77

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

Back pain is not all that unusual after a spinal tap. I wouldn't be too worried unless of course it last longer than 3 or 4 days. It never hurts to call the nurse and ask. The only really bad thing that I have ever had happen after one is a head ache from spinal fluid leaking. Since you have Fibro, your muscles could be extra tense from the stress of having a spinal tap also. I'm sure you already know that any type of stress can cause flare ups. Hope you feel better soon!

Answer 4

possible help - Much pain is from muscles below is an example of what may help (based on headaches).
Begin with a couple swigs of molasses or a couple of bananas (natural muscle relaxers) daily - magnesium (which regulates many things in the body) and potassium (a needed building block for muscles).
Drink at least 1/2 gallons of water per day. Running a body low on water is like running a car low on oil is the analogy the head of neurology at UCDavis told my husband about 10 years ago.

Now to the cause - muscles - your back, neck shoulders and head have tender spots. They are knots in the fibers of the muscles called trigger points. It makes the muscles tight which makes them press on nerves and other things causing the pain.

The cure - start with a professional massage, you will also want to go back over any place you can get to 6-12 times per session up to 6 times per day rubbing (or lightly scratching on your head) every where that is tender until the knots go away. The place where the skull connects to the spine press up under the edge of the skull (to get to those muscles).

For more information read The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook by Davies. It teaches what to do and where the pain comes from.

Answer 5

I had a few (painful) spinal taps 7 years ago. I had meningitis too. I didn't suffer longterm effects from the spinal tap (just rare longterm effects from the meningitis...)
Yes. I've heard of people responding poorly to their spinal tap.
Try contacting the Meningitis Trust in the UK. They were very very helpful.
http://www.meningitis-trust.org/

Answer 6

It depends on when your pain started. If it has been going on since the spinal tap (which you may not have noticed since you were recovering from menangitis), then they may have hit a nerve and you should go to the doctor as soon as possible to reverse the effects. If it is new, your menangitis may be returning if you stopped your meds early. Either way, you should see your doctor asap to rule out anything serious.