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LP Tomorrow
Hi all,
I was hoping someone might let me know what to expect from an LP? I'm scheduled for tomorrow afternoon. When I asked my neuro if it would hurt a lot, she made a comment about how she doesn't understand why so many people get all nervous about LPs when it's equivalent to taking blood from a vein and few people freak out about that.
Part of me thinks that just means she's never had one.
The closest experience I've ever had was an epidural while in labor, and I found that excruciating. I sobbed during it (although I was thrilled once it was actually all the way in and the relief kicked in -- totally worth it!).
Oh, I guess I've also had facet injections of steroids, which were somewhat painful but they gave me enough valium that I didn't really care. :-)
Anyway, I was told to drink a lot today, tomorrow and the next day, and that would help.
Anything else anyone recommends? Anyone who can tell me about his/her experience?
Thanks!!
I was hoping someone might let me know what to expect from an LP? I'm scheduled for tomorrow afternoon. When I asked my neuro if it would hurt a lot, she made a comment about how she doesn't understand why so many people get all nervous about LPs when it's equivalent to taking blood from a vein and few people freak out about that.
Part of me thinks that just means she's never had one.
The closest experience I've ever had was an epidural while in labor, and I found that excruciating. I sobbed during it (although I was thrilled once it was actually all the way in and the relief kicked in -- totally worth it!).
Oh, I guess I've also had facet injections of steroids, which were somewhat painful but they gave me enough valium that I didn't really care. :-)
Anyway, I was told to drink a lot today, tomorrow and the next day, and that would help.
Anything else anyone recommends? Anyone who can tell me about his/her experience?
Thanks!!
If you find this site stupid, stop coming. End of issue.
People have all kinds of fears, and one is fear of LPs. Although we tend to hear about only the problem LPs and not about the very routine ones such as mine, the bad ones are very bad indeed. This is not being pulled out of thin air, my friend.
We very often advise people to make sure their procedures are done under flouroscopy, and we let them know what to do if they get a severe headache. Doctors often fail to communicate a lot of things, adding to the fear factor.
You sound very smug and lacking in compassion. That's likely because you have had little in your life that was difficult to overcome. Or because of plain immaturity. Nevertheless, you are welcome here to give and receive support and information, and to share with others who understand, as no non-MSer can really do. If you can't do this in a pleasant manner, you will receive fewer and fewer responses to your post. That's just the way this group is.
ess
People have all kinds of fears, and one is fear of LPs. Although we tend to hear about only the problem LPs and not about the very routine ones such as mine, the bad ones are very bad indeed. This is not being pulled out of thin air, my friend.
We very often advise people to make sure their procedures are done under flouroscopy, and we let them know what to do if they get a severe headache. Doctors often fail to communicate a lot of things, adding to the fear factor.
You sound very smug and lacking in compassion. That's likely because you have had little in your life that was difficult to overcome. Or because of plain immaturity. Nevertheless, you are welcome here to give and receive support and information, and to share with others who understand, as no non-MSer can really do. If you can't do this in a pleasant manner, you will receive fewer and fewer responses to your post. That's just the way this group is.
ess
"Hi, sick momma. I'm a card-carrying member of the "Just Say No To Lumbar Puncture" club. Had a really bad experience with LP. Also, it rarely yields enough information to be worth doing."
WHAT really bad experience? Some pain from the injection? A post-LP headache? Some transient numbness in your leg? Because these are about the extent of the 'really bad experiences' you can have with an LP. Or is it that you weigh 350 lbs and you presented a challenge to even the best doctor and had to have multiple attempts?
LPs are useful for a number of reasons including RULING OUT other diseases. It is safe and very well tolerated in most people. People, why don't you talk to your DOCTOR instead of basing your decisions off a stupid website?!
WHAT really bad experience? Some pain from the injection? A post-LP headache? Some transient numbness in your leg? Because these are about the extent of the 'really bad experiences' you can have with an LP. Or is it that you weigh 350 lbs and you presented a challenge to even the best doctor and had to have multiple attempts?
LPs are useful for a number of reasons including RULING OUT other diseases. It is safe and very well tolerated in most people. People, why don't you talk to your DOCTOR instead of basing your decisions off a stupid website?!
Hi, sick momma. I'm a card-carrying member of the "Just Say No To Lumbar Puncture" club. Had a really bad experience with LP. Also, it rarely yields enough information to be worth doing.
To cheer you, I will say that apparently LP just depends on who is performing it - their technique, experience, and caring. I hope you get someone great!!
You still have time to cancel it . . . .
WAF
To cheer you, I will say that apparently LP just depends on who is performing it - their technique, experience, and caring. I hope you get someone great!!
You still have time to cancel it . . . .
WAF
Hi there,
If you are up and it gets progressively worse, and then lie down and it subsides, my guess is it is a leak. Maybe your getting lucky with the mild ache
Can you stay flat the weekend? Just getting up and down to eat potty, etc?
If you are up and it gets progressively worse, and then lie down and it subsides, my guess is it is a leak. Maybe your getting lucky with the mild ache
Can you stay flat the weekend? Just getting up and down to eat potty, etc?
Hi. I never had the headache after my LP, but I was more tired, and my back ached in general.
I say, if it feels better when you lie down, then lie down, for heaven's sake! So what if it isn't the worst ever? You are entitled to the rest, and maybe you just have a higher tolerance for pain than some people. There can't just be a switch that goes on/off for spinal headaches. Like most other things, shouldn't it be a continuum?
I hope you get your calls really soon.
I say, if it feels better when you lie down, then lie down, for heaven's sake! So what if it isn't the worst ever? You are entitled to the rest, and maybe you just have a higher tolerance for pain than some people. There can't just be a switch that goes on/off for spinal headaches. Like most other things, shouldn't it be a continuum?
I hope you get your calls really soon.
Thanks, Shell & Lu & everyone else!
I can't decide if I've got a slow leak going or something, and I'm hoping y'all might be able to tell me. I might just be exhausted from a busy week-plus of medical stuff: dentist, derm biopsy, OB type surgery (very minor -- D&C and endometrial ablation), LP, acupuncture, etc.
But I'm noticing that I'm tiring more than my "normal" level of exhaustion (it's been a busy 10 days or so!!), and I have a weird headache that feels better when I lie down and dizziness that feels better when I lie down.
The nurse told me that the LP-type headaches are clearly "the worst headache you've ever had" and "if you have one, you'll definitely know it."
It isn't the worst headache ever. But if I'm up and about for awhile, it gets progressively worse until I think my head will explode if I don't lie down, and then it feels better. Mostly. :-)
I sort of wavered on calling the guy who did the poke all day, mostly because I was expecting a call from my neuro who unfortunately called last night while my 4-year-old was on the phone with my dad, and she doesn't know the beeps for call waiting. :-) Sigh. The neuro called back again today before I returned her message, but I unfortunately was at acupuncture. I left her a message when I got back, and then spent all afternoon thinking she'd call me before going home for the weekend. And no such luck. Sigh. (I feel like an adolescent waiting for a boy I like to call me when I wait for doctors' call backs, afraid to leave home in case I miss the call.)
Anyway, I don't think it's really a spinal headache, but I'm wondering ...
Thanks. :-)
I can't decide if I've got a slow leak going or something, and I'm hoping y'all might be able to tell me. I might just be exhausted from a busy week-plus of medical stuff: dentist, derm biopsy, OB type surgery (very minor -- D&C and endometrial ablation), LP, acupuncture, etc.
But I'm noticing that I'm tiring more than my "normal" level of exhaustion (it's been a busy 10 days or so!!), and I have a weird headache that feels better when I lie down and dizziness that feels better when I lie down.
The nurse told me that the LP-type headaches are clearly "the worst headache you've ever had" and "if you have one, you'll definitely know it."
It isn't the worst headache ever. But if I'm up and about for awhile, it gets progressively worse until I think my head will explode if I don't lie down, and then it feels better. Mostly. :-)
I sort of wavered on calling the guy who did the poke all day, mostly because I was expecting a call from my neuro who unfortunately called last night while my 4-year-old was on the phone with my dad, and she doesn't know the beeps for call waiting. :-) Sigh. The neuro called back again today before I returned her message, but I unfortunately was at acupuncture. I left her a message when I got back, and then spent all afternoon thinking she'd call me before going home for the weekend. And no such luck. Sigh. (I feel like an adolescent waiting for a boy I like to call me when I wait for doctors' call backs, afraid to leave home in case I miss the call.)
Anyway, I don't think it's really a spinal headache, but I'm wondering ...
Thanks. :-)
Yay! It's done!
Hope you are resting!
Nodding my head in agreement as you mention "drip" process. The guy who did mine, had me bear down while on a tilted table (while on stomach). As if that "drop" would be pushed along it's merry way by straining! The neurve of em'
To minimize your chances of the leak and headache, rest, rest rest. No stairs, or lifting.
-shell
Hope you are resting!
Nodding my head in agreement as you mention "drip" process. The guy who did mine, had me bear down while on a tilted table (while on stomach). As if that "drop" would be pushed along it's merry way by straining! The neurve of em'
To minimize your chances of the leak and headache, rest, rest rest. No stairs, or lifting.
-shell
It is good to hear that you survived this experience with very little trauma. You are a trusting soul to let the stranger touch you.
Congrats on getting through this part.
FWIW - my neuro told my that by laughing, the CSF flowed faster. He was in and out in pretty quick time because we were both chuckling through the tales.
Lu
Congrats on getting through this part.
FWIW - my neuro told my that by laughing, the CSF flowed faster. He was in and out in pretty quick time because we were both chuckling through the tales.
Lu
Hi everyone,
Sorry it took so long to get back and let you know that I survived my LP. :-)
The worst part was that it was scheduled for 2:30 p.m. (arrive at hospital at 1:45 p.m.), and somehow even though I had a printed sheet that told me the day/time, no one was expecting me. I waited for hours, and eventually was told that my neuro didn't have me on HER schedule, and had left her office for her son's graduation. Sigh. They gave me the choice of rescheduling, or of having an anesthesiologist I'd never met do it. I chose to get it done.
I guess because I'm overweight, or because I have unrelated back problems, I found just about all of it painful, including when he was pressing on my back to try to, as he put it, learn the geography of my back.
The needle for the lidocaine, I think, was the worst. Was it Lulu who curled against the wall to get in the requisite position? I didn't have a wall to help, but the side rail of the hospital bed helped give me a place to brace my knees.
I think the part that surprised me the most was how long it took to get the four test tubes of fluid. I had thought it was like taking blood, that they suck it out either with a syringe or a vacuum tube. But instead, they wait for it to drip. And that was a little weird to me.
I was a reporter for many years (before becoming a mommy), so I distracted myself by getting the doctor talking, and it was quite interesting hearing how he chose to specialize in anesthesia. :-) He also had just gotten back from a trip to Haiti, where he helped with 60 surgeries in two weeks. Wow!
Anyway, I felt rather achy and dizzy last night when I finally got home (at 7 p.m.!), but part of me thinks it was more from being dehydrated than from anything else. My back is a little sore this morning, but I have no headache and seem to just have my "normal" symptoms with no other problems.
(I was a bit dismayed when the doctor told me that 30 percent of women in my age group get the dreaded headache, but I plan to be in the 70 percent who don't.)
Oh, and fwiw, it was MUCH less painful than my epidural four years ago. The doc says they use a much bigger needle for epidurals and that's why it hurt so much more back then.
Sorry it took so long to get back and let you know that I survived my LP. :-)
The worst part was that it was scheduled for 2:30 p.m. (arrive at hospital at 1:45 p.m.), and somehow even though I had a printed sheet that told me the day/time, no one was expecting me. I waited for hours, and eventually was told that my neuro didn't have me on HER schedule, and had left her office for her son's graduation. Sigh. They gave me the choice of rescheduling, or of having an anesthesiologist I'd never met do it. I chose to get it done.
I guess because I'm overweight, or because I have unrelated back problems, I found just about all of it painful, including when he was pressing on my back to try to, as he put it, learn the geography of my back.
The needle for the lidocaine, I think, was the worst. Was it Lulu who curled against the wall to get in the requisite position? I didn't have a wall to help, but the side rail of the hospital bed helped give me a place to brace my knees.
I think the part that surprised me the most was how long it took to get the four test tubes of fluid. I had thought it was like taking blood, that they suck it out either with a syringe or a vacuum tube. But instead, they wait for it to drip. And that was a little weird to me.
I was a reporter for many years (before becoming a mommy), so I distracted myself by getting the doctor talking, and it was quite interesting hearing how he chose to specialize in anesthesia. :-) He also had just gotten back from a trip to Haiti, where he helped with 60 surgeries in two weeks. Wow!
Anyway, I felt rather achy and dizzy last night when I finally got home (at 7 p.m.!), but part of me thinks it was more from being dehydrated than from anything else. My back is a little sore this morning, but I have no headache and seem to just have my "normal" symptoms with no other problems.
(I was a bit dismayed when the doctor told me that 30 percent of women in my age group get the dreaded headache, but I plan to be in the 70 percent who don't.)
Oh, and fwiw, it was MUCH less painful than my epidural four years ago. The doc says they use a much bigger needle for epidurals and that's why it hurt so much more back then.
I had mine done lying on my side, and the nurse held my legs and shoulders/back in such a way that the curling-into-a-ball-and-staying-there part was not difficult at all. And I ain't too flexible myself.
I just had an LP last Friday! No big deal at all. No real pain other than a small amount when they inserted the needle to numb the area. Not any worse than when you have blood taken if even that much. The Neuro that did mine was actually teaching new doctors how to do it while doing mine. She said there were really only 3 tricks to doing one right so the patient does have any pain during or afterwards (headache).
1) make sure the shoulders and hips are parrel to the bed.
2) inject the numbing agent (Can't remember the name of it) as you push the needle in.
3) use as small as a needle as possible. ( I think she used a 22 gauge needle). It takes longer to get the fluid you need but reduces the chance of a headache.
I had no pain at all and in fact went to a local national park the next day (walking several miles) the very next day.
Dennis
1) make sure the shoulders and hips are parrel to the bed.
2) inject the numbing agent (Can't remember the name of it) as you push the needle in.
3) use as small as a needle as possible. ( I think she used a 22 gauge needle). It takes longer to get the fluid you need but reduces the chance of a headache.
I had no pain at all and in fact went to a local national park the next day (walking several miles) the very next day.
Dennis
it may very well be you do yours sitting up and bent forward ----- either way, you will do fine. check in when it is done, ok?
Lu
Lu
Thanks, everybody!!
I found everyone's posts to be really really encouraging and they're helping me to relax about the LP.
Lulu: Wow! That's an amazing journal article!! Thanks so much for putting all that detail down in writing!!
I'm a little worried that I'm not terribly flexible to get into a tight ball and hold it long enough for what they need to do, but I'll do my best and it'll be what it is.
Thanks again to everyone!!! And here's hoping I'm among the majority who don't get the leak and the horrible headache!! :-)
I found everyone's posts to be really really encouraging and they're helping me to relax about the LP.
Lulu: Wow! That's an amazing journal article!! Thanks so much for putting all that detail down in writing!!
I'm a little worried that I'm not terribly flexible to get into a tight ball and hold it long enough for what they need to do, but I'll do my best and it'll be what it is.
Thanks again to everyone!!! And here's hoping I'm among the majority who don't get the leak and the horrible headache!! :-)
I got poked for an LP but the doc was unable to get fluid out due to my scoliosis. So I actually had the "puncture" part, just not the withdrawal of any significant amount of fluid.
It is NOT a big deal at all for most people. Just slight discomfort when the needle pops in (more pressure than pain). People are scared of the idea of a needle in your back, but really there is no risk except that you might get the headache. My neuro said that if the needle hits a nerve, the nerve just moves out of the way like cooked spaghetti. Worst case, you get a shock down your leg.
She also said that with respect to who gets the headache, a big VA study found no difference in whether you stay lying down afterwards. She said I could get up after 15 minutes (and that would have been the case even if she'd drawn fluid). I think she said to drink a little more water than usual but that's not a huge deal either.
Don't be scared, just do it. I went to work later that day, I think. Just had a mildly sore spot there for a few days. For most people it's a breeze.
Nancy
It is NOT a big deal at all for most people. Just slight discomfort when the needle pops in (more pressure than pain). People are scared of the idea of a needle in your back, but really there is no risk except that you might get the headache. My neuro said that if the needle hits a nerve, the nerve just moves out of the way like cooked spaghetti. Worst case, you get a shock down your leg.
She also said that with respect to who gets the headache, a big VA study found no difference in whether you stay lying down afterwards. She said I could get up after 15 minutes (and that would have been the case even if she'd drawn fluid). I think she said to drink a little more water than usual but that's not a huge deal either.
Don't be scared, just do it. I went to work later that day, I think. Just had a mildly sore spot there for a few days. For most people it's a breeze.
Nancy
Hi there, I just had my LP one month ago. I was very anxious for it and really I shouldn't have been. I think the more relaxed and in control you are the better experience you will have. Mine was done sitting, and I was leaning over a table. I know some people had it done laying down curled up in a ball. I can honestly say that I didn't feel much during the procedure. Just a slight pinching when the freezing was going in.
I didn't get the dreaded LP headache alot of people talk about. I got, alot of back stiffness for a couple days and that was all. I just did my best to rest and not do to much..
Good luck, stay focussed and you will be fine!
I didn't get the dreaded LP headache alot of people talk about. I got, alot of back stiffness for a couple days and that was all. I just did my best to rest and not do to much..
Good luck, stay focussed and you will be fine!
I was in the hosptial at the time of getting one...so they gave me something to relax me and the hard part was getting it froze...then it felt like pressure... make sure you lay down for a few hour or more afterward.. OK
they also put me on a IV drip for liquids...so drink alot before the test... OK..
let us know how it goes
take care
wobbly
undx
they also put me on a IV drip for liquids...so drink alot before the test... OK..
let us know how it goes
take care
wobbly
undx
They gave me valium IV and I don't remember the LP. I woke up two hours later. I am the only one I have heard of on the forum who was sedated. I am not sure why anyone needs to be awake. My recovery was about four days. It was worth it since it was definitive and they started treating my MS.
Alex
Alex
http://www.medhelp.org/user_journals/show/42150?personal_page_id=5829
has what I wrote about my LP experience. Sorry I'm just seeing this at the end of the day and have to run but will check later and see if you need me to add anything else.
you will be find with LP - just plan on taking it easy the next day or two.
Lulu
has what I wrote about my LP experience. Sorry I'm just seeing this at the end of the day and have to run but will check later and see if you need me to add anything else.
you will be find with LP - just plan on taking it easy the next day or two.
Lulu
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