It varies from person to person. I've had two spinal taps. The first headache lasted 14 days, the 2nd time was over two weeks, on the 12th day they tried a blood patch but it didn't work in my case. I've seen people get up straight away and never had any problems at all, some have a minor headache and in my case after the 2nd tap I literally prayed to God to take my life, my advise is do not suffer, if its bad go to the ER and demand treatment, it may not have sealed and may need a blood patch.

Wow, I guess I was very lucky with no problems at all

Try a strong cup of coffee or other form of caffeine. Call your Neurologist ASAP if that does not work. My patch came loose and they had to plug the puncture again. Not painful compared to the headache. The headache pain stopped me in my tracks.

My husband had a lumbar puncture when he had Meningitis and his headache lasted 2 weeks. He had to have an epideral to place more liquid in his spine. I'm sorry but I think that is worst case scenario. I have never seen anyone suffer the way he did until the epideral. I never had an lumbar puncture, thank God. My Dx was made with MRI only. Please feel better!

It's important to stay vertical as long as you can post spinal tap. Doing this will probably avoid any headaches, nausea, weakness, speeds recovery along.