I had a lumbar puncture while I was throwing up(to test for meningitis) and ended up having to have a blood patch b/c it rupture my spinal fluid sac. I was sent home from the hospital after treatment for viral meningitis and the very next morning I was debilitated w/ a terrible headache and ended up back in the hospital. After 3 days of neurologists and doctors trying to figure out what was going on ...they did a blood patch on my spinal fluid sac and I was cured within 30 minutes!!!!

A cerebral spinal fluid leak is a possible complication of a lumbar puncture. It can cause an excruciating headache. Many physicians will do a blood patch to stop the leak. Caffeine can really help with the pain, as can laying down.