Lumbar Puncture

[Danielle28]

I was just wondering how many of you have had one and if you could share the experience with me.  The neurologist told me we may have to do one but made sure to schedule the appt for the full hour it will take to do it.  I'm just wondering if anyone has had one and if you could share the experience with me. 

I also have to do another lupus panel tomorrow-  The guy told me last time "You might feel a little weak after the bloodwork..." I kind of laughed and told him that's okay, it'd be nothing new. But seriously it was draining!

Thanks for any information you can share. I've read up on the LP online and there's a mix of nightmare stories and then the "It wasn't so bad" stories... Kind of nervous

[irish]

I haven't ever had a lumbar puncture but I have watched my hubby have several and helped docs with them when I was working as a nurse. I think that you will feel some discomfort, but I think that everyones definition of pain and agony are different. Some people just can't abide any type or owie and others don't get too waylaid by the discomfort of these tests.

I always say that staying positive and practicing relaxation with breathing is the best thing a person can do. The self hypnotic state that can come with the concentration on breathing can get a person through a lot of things. Even childbirth. lol Irish

[Aquarius]

Hi, I developed a very bad headache which is a common side affect of the procedure. 

[Suzie]

Hi Danielle,

I'm a total baby about pain, but when I had a lumber puncture last year it was fine. I was terrified, but I hardly felt anything.

Good luck!

[Skylar]

OMG, I had the most miserable side effects from the LP. I was one of the unlucky ones. The procedure was very uncomfortable and prolonged possibly due to incompetence. My hip and shoulder was so sore from lying on the side while they stuck the needle in me. Afterwards you have to lie on your back for an hour - my body was already sore and having to lie in one position on my back was intensely painful. Pain medication couldn't touch that pain. I was fine for a day and then the post spinal headaches started and kept progressing - I had a leak. I had to go to the emergency room to have an anesthesiologist apply a blood patch. I was so ill, couldn't stand up, couldn't keep any food down, couldn't keep any medication down and it's the worst headache in the world - a million times worst than my migraines.

Knowing what I know now I would make certain that the doctor actually performing the LP is experienced in the procedure. Plan to either take some time off from work, or have the option for a light work for a few days in case you get a mild post spinal headache that goes away on it's own. And I needed a day after the blood patch to recuperate from the leak and it's effects. I also would question my physician carefully as to whether or not the LP will actually make a difference in treatment.

[love2teach]

Hi Danielle,
I had a lumbar puncture in January. The procedure was not painful and went rather quickly. I did have to lie flat for over an hour to try to avoid the headache. My back was a little sore after the test, and unfortunately, I did get a really bad headache.
My advice is to relax during the procedure and it should go well
Best of Luck,
Carol

[Danielle28]

Thanks everyone! Fortunately I don't work but I do have 2 boys I have to get up and ready for the day on Friday. Might arrange a ride for them, if necessary.  I had an epidural with my first son and a spinal block with the second, I'm hoping that it won't be too much worse than that.  i was fortunate to not have headaches from those.

[Scottietottie]

Hi 

I had a lumber puncture years ago. They were testing for MS. I didn't have it. I was told to lay flat for a couple of hours after the procedure. I did. I was then asked if there was someone I could contact to take me home. I lied and said "Yes". I told them someone was waiting for me downstairs. I left and I took the bus home and I was fine.

I know people who have had headaches after this. I didn't. I honestly was fine. I had a student doing the test and it took 4 goes and some discomfort to get the needle into the right place. That was the wprst part of the procedure for me - but tolerable. After that - I really was OK.

Take care - Scottie 

[mel52]

Hi I had one done.  I was shocked at how well it went. It took about 15 minutes. I knew the dr was there but I felt no pain. The worse part was the anticipation.  I reclined my car seat for the hour drive home and laid down until the next day.  I did not want that headache that is like no other.  I had a mylegram a few years prior and the dr didn't tell me I needed to lay down, in fact she said I didn't because the test had to be stopped because my pulse and blood pressure dropped. A few days later I got THE headache.  I was told then to lay down for the entire weekend or I would end up having a blood patch.  I called a nurse friend of mine who said of course I should have stayed down at a 45 degree angle.  I did so and all was well.

[Jozee]

I had one about 5 years ago. I don't remember if I was told to lay down or if I got a headache. I am usually really good with ongoing pain. It's the coming on fast, hurts like heck, make you wish you were in another body kind of pain I can't take. That is what the LP was like for me. I think if the room had not been so freezing cold to me I would have been able to relax and it might not have hurt so bad.

Everyone is different but you already know that. Yours may go just great. That is my prayer for you...a pain free lumbar puncture. 

[rnathans]

For most people this is an easy procedure and it was for me as well. I have to laugh now because I refused epidurals during my labors because of fear of a needle in my spine. I am not needle phobic, except for the idea of it going in my spine. So after I had to have lumber punctures when I got sick I thought to myself. What an idiot enduring labor pain for fear of this needle stick. Aw for the dreaded spinal headache, both caffeine and staying well hydrated can help prevent this.

[anita]

I have had 8 LP's over the last 16 years.  Most were at the start of my diagnostic trail.  All 8 required a blood patch due to spinal fluid leaking and the hole just would not close up like it's supposed to, regardless of every trick (laying flat, caffeine, fluids, etc).  I'm sure I'm NOT the norm.  Headache so bad I could not stand up right.  They could see the fluid pouring out when they would access it again for the blood patch.

Do take precautions with fluids, and lay flat for a while afterward to help it close.  They usually have you do so for at least an hour or two anyway. 

Good luck.

[Danielle28]

My MRI was "Normal" so she decided not to do the LP. Kind of walked out feeling like she didn't believe me.    It was frustrating but a relief as well.

I do have a bulged disk in my neck but she said it's not bad enough to cause the problems...  Also my neck is straight instead of curved, she's not sure why but doesn't think it has anything to do with my problems either, she doesn't want to see me until April... 

Ever feel like you're just beating your head against a wall? The worst was the feeling like she didn't believe me. She was like "EVERYONE GETS FATIGUE"...

I wouldn't make this up, I don't like being poked and prodded... I would not be choosing to feel this way or act like I feel this way.

My next appt is on the 13th with my Rheumy, hopefully he can shed some light on things for me.

[really?]

I have had so many I lost count,, most were ok,, one was full of red blood cells,, so to make usre it wasent a traumatic tap,, they did another one,, I once went to have one done inPittsburgh,, drove myself,, nurse said,, do you have someone to take you home,, ya my wife but shes at work and I am to call her when its over,, I wiated the four hours they wanted me towait,, acted like I called my wife,, got dressed and left,, I have had bacterial menigitis and my wife saw them drain bloody pus out of my spine,, I had a drain my lumbar spine to drain out teh pus, I had a nurse tell my wife I was sweating when in fact it was spinal fluid dripping out of my neck from a MRSA infected incision,, I dont know how I do it,, if you do get one,, I would make sure a interventional radiologist does it,, not just some intern doing it for the first time,, the radiologist wil use guided imagary to do it,, they do it right,, Oh,, other then the time the guy did mine and broke off the anesthia needle off in my spine,, spraying that stuff all over the room,, ya that was fun,, come to think of it,, if you dont think you need it,, dont get it,, a lot of time it will show nothing,, but its no big deal to them,, there not getting it done,,be aware,, tehy can leak,, and that causes alot of problems,, back in to do a blood patch,, not a bandaid,, but soemof your blood into the hole to see if that will patch it,,
  Low spinalfluid pressure,,and if there is a underlying condition,, say,, like a chiari,, well that may make things worse,, take out some fluid and the brainjust happens to sink alittle lower into the spine,, its not like taking some blood out of your arm,, be forwarned, itsbeter then being sorry,, trust me,, I know,, you hear LP,, and they tell you its no big deal,, they have never had one done,, or it went real smooth,,

[jazzlover]

I also would question my physician carefully as to whether or not the LP will actually make a difference in treatment.

-Exactly .. and for what reason does he want to do a spinal tap? Plan not to do anything at all that day. (afterward)

--editing to add ... so you're not going to have one?? That would be great!! I was worried about you!!