When I spoke about only needing one spinal tap in your lifetime, I was referring this to MS. Once they find a spinal tap positive for "O" bands, it would be unusual to have to go through another one. Just wanted to make that clear, since some people, for reasons other than MS, may have to go through more than one tap.
So I am only speaking about MS in my response.....
Heather
Well, good to see you here, I'm not sure I ever welcomed you.
First, I am disturbed that the doctors seem to be giving heavy weight to lesions that are not classical for MS - when there ARE classic lesions present. MS can have lesions that vary in size all the way from invisible to as large as a tumor. They can occur in any area of the CNS.
About the LP. First off yes, some poeple do get a severe headache after the tap, but it does not last forever and can be treated. The VAST majority of the many thousands of people who get spinal taps every day do not get a headache. Second, many people in the back of their minds believe (because others have said it to them) that a spinal tap is very dangerous and can leave you paralyzed.
This myth arose from half a century ago when spinal taps were used frequently to diagnose polio and meningitis (which was more common). Both of these infections frequently led to paralysis, but uneducated people associated the paralysis with the tap and not the infection.
If you are fearful of a headache, then you need to think about whether the risks of a temporary headache outweigh possibly missing a piece of information that could give you a diagnosis. There are a couple of things you might ask of your doc. One is to give you a good dose of sedation to carry you through the procedure. Another is to request that the tap be performed in the radiology department under fluoroscopic guidance. This is a good way to ensure that they don't have to "poke around" to find the small opening between the vertebrae. I have had several taps and each has been mostly painless and without complication. I have performed hundreds and never had a complication.
Please read Lulu's description of what you go through with a tap.
One thing that I recommend. During the tap they have you curl up as tight as you can to open the vertebrae. Afterwards, lie on your back, maybe even with a small pillow or towel in the small of your back to close the area tightly. This way the canal is not on "stretch" on that surface. I'm not certain that this is helpful, but it makes sense and gives you something to do.
Deborah and Lulu - Baking Soda in medicine is 'bicarbinate." This is used in many instances, like during an arrest when the patient is becoming acidotic. It is used to make the body more alkaline - to being the pH up. I didn't know that it could added to numbing, but that is a great idea.
Quix
I wrote about my LP and copied itto my journal - here's the link.
http://www.medhelp.org/user_journals/show/42150?personal_page_id=5829
Almost everyone will tell you the anticipation of this test is much worse than thetest itself.
Deborah - baking soda? I'm curious about that because I can't imagine how they would do that.
my best to all,
Lulu
I had no difficulties from my 2 spinal taps. Both went well and not painful. The second spinal I had, they used Baking Soda in the numbing medication and that prevented me from having any pain from the numbing meds. You may want to ask them about it.
If there is any doubt about a diagnosis of MS, a postive spinal tap (looking for oligloconal banding in the spinal fluid, which is signs of inflammation) may swing the doctor into making an MS diagnosis.
Spinal taps are more scary than they are painful. The good news is, that you usually only need one of them in your lifetime. There are alot of horror stories about spinal taps. Being educated about them and knowing that they can medicate you before a spinal tap with a mild sedative, may ease any fears you have. It is scary to think that someone will stick a needle in your back. I know of no one, personally or otherwise that has ever been permanently injured about spinal taps. There can be bad headaches afterwards, but most people will tell you that their fears about just having one, were worse than the actual procedure.
All the best,
Heather
Quick question:
Have you had any evoke potentials test yet? (SSEP, VEP, BAER)