unable to get spinal fluid in lumbar puncture

[babbs620]

Hi, I had my lp yesterday and the dr was unable to get spinal fluid, she tried twice and said she was in and trust me she was! durning the hour and half that she tried i had awful bladder spasms and with the second hole a awful pain of electric shock go down my leg and many other painful sensations! Another dr was called in to help and he couldnt get fluid either, She told me I had no pressure and this was the first time she had been unsuccessful at lb puncture, that didnt make me feel better! anyways she said she was going to call my neuro and for me to call his office.

  My husband called the office and nurse said she received the message from newport imaging but my neruo out of office till monday.

I havent had my mri of the spine yet, But has anybody else had this happen?

  Thank Barbara

[figuerpa]

No didn't have that problem, mine came out fine. I did get the twinges that you described and that is caused from them hitting nerves with the needles which they are suppose to avoid lol.

Did you make sure you were plenty hydrated and did they tilt you to let gravity take part in getting the fluid? The first vile they took from me went fast the second one was slower and they tilted the table more so that it would come out.

I hope they find out why the doctor couldnt get any. It is horrible that you may have to do it again.

Good Luck,
Paula

[marymoto]

hi yes this happened to me in my neuros office he tried to get it unsuccesfully then he sent me down stairs to flouroscopy they still took a long time to get it but they finally went up higher and wer succesful.

[babbs620]

Thanks for responding Paula,

  I did drink plenty of water and even went to bathroom a few times before the test, i know that for the last few weeks I live in the bathroom! holding my urine hasnt been one of my strong points lately, but felt I drank plenty of fluids to be prepared.

The dr did elevate the table to the point that i thought i would slide off lol but didnt thank god, She was very nice and said she was sorry the lb was unsucessful and that I was a perfect pt that it was the pressure in spine that caused it not to work?

I had a lb 7yrs ago and didnt feel pain then and they did collect a sample, I hate to get it done again if i have to endure that pain but she did say maybe my neruo can get fluid out.

Thanks Barbara

[babbs620]

Thanks Mary it was a  flouroscopy they had the xray machine or whatever its called lol. I guess if they do it again maybe they will even go higher. Was there a reason why they couldnt get yours or just never a reason for those things?

[sllowe]

Oh, that rots.
I don't know the reason they were unable to get it.
But, so sorry to hear you had to go through this and no CSF to test after all that - what a mess.

Hope you find out why this happens. Please be careful and follow the "do-nothing' rules we nag about on here for a few days. Ok?

-shell

[HVAC]

If they ever have to do another have them do it under sedation. It will be hard for you to relax after that mess. I feel for you. Take it easy.

Alex

[Sumanadevii]

OUCH!!!!  Just ouch!!!!  I am sorry for the harsh time.

[jumpinjiminy]

What a nightmare! Who would have thought such a thing could happen. Now I'm scared to get one. :-O

[babbs620]

well I probably not the best person to advise you to get it, But the both doctors acting very surprised that they got in and didnt get the fluid, so I think it isnt that common, im just so upset they didnt get the fluid :( some many answers are in it.

Unfornately I ended up at er with severe headache the next day and because they didnt get fluid I didnt understand how I could have a lp migraine but the dr was very nice and said that it didnt matter if they got fluid! That the wall was puncture 2 x and the fluid can and will leak, so after iv and morphine sent home to stay in bed and will see my neuro Monday

and still if recommended I get it done again I will probably do it because a posible dx in that fluid..........Barbara