Phobic about first LP any hints how to relax?

[HVAC]

Hi,
   Two years ago a Neurologist said I needed an LP. I was scared, but said o.k. Then he said he was moving I had to find someone else to do it. The Neurologist he referred me to would not order it. The third Neurologist wanted one six months ago, but it had become a phobia by then. Now he wants one again. It is not rational, but I am scared to death. I am not a relaxed person at anytime. I am usually brave, but not in this case. I know how the test goes, any encouragement or hints. PLEASE NO HORROR STORIES!
                                                                  Alex

[Fluffysmom]

I wonder if they'll put you in a green gown?  :o)

db, as I remember (hazily) from a teen party, beer through a straw is usually not a good idea.  Do they put green beer in mini kegs?  Do they have taps like regular kegs?  No, probably not a good idea.

After my LP, I drank my water and Starbucks Double Shots through a bendy straw.  

Kathy

[doublevision1]

Congrats, it must provide some relief to be moving forward with this necessary procedure.  And on St. Patrick's Day!  You can treat yourself to some green beer afterwards, that is if you can drink beer while lying flat, lol.  :)

[Lulu54]

Its good news that you finally have a date and its not too far off.  Now please promise us all that you will follow through with it this time - it really sounds much worse than it truly is.

my best,
Lulu

[HVAC]

I am finally scheduled for my LP on March 17th. I am actually happy about it. Thanks to everyone

[HVAC]

Thanks.

[Heather3418]

Sorry I meant to address my post to HVAC.  See, I just had a brain burp...

[Heather3418]

You are totally correct.  It's all about taking your mind of the procedure and relaxing.  It is over so fast, you wondered what all the worrying is about.

Anyone would be scared to think they were going to stick a needle in your back.  The one thing that stands out in my mind the most about the procedure, was a slight feeling of pressure.  No pain.  Except a little stinging from the numbing spot.  That was it.

I tried to play SuperWoman after the procedure and didn't lie flat long enough or take in enough extra fuilds.  I did get an after headache.  Be assured that usually a patient only has to endure ONE LP in their lifetime.  So that should make you feel a little better.  And I WOULD ask for something to relax you before the procedure.  You sound like you are getting yourself worked up.  You really don't have to be.  It's over so quickly.

When I had it done, I wondered why I had worried so much and put my own self through all that anxiousness.  I laughed at myself afterwards.

You'll do fine.  You'll have all of us pulling and praying for you, that things go easily.

All the best and big Forum Hugs,
Heather

[ChunkyMonkeysMommy]

Oh, and I think it helped to have others talking, to take your mind off of what's happening. For me, the anticipation is always the worst part, find something else to focus on.

[ChunkyMonkeysMommy]

When I had my LP, it was a breeze. I was very nervous, as well. I had not pain after, either. My husband took me and I laid the seat back on the way home, then rested the remainder of the day and felt fine the next day. In fact, I felt fine that day, but hubby wouldn't let me get up except to go to the bathroom, lol. He was more worried about it than I was. You may feel just a little pressure at first, but if they do it right and numb it well, it will just feel like a finger pressing against your back for a minute, no big deal. My husband might tell a different story. He tried to watch and nearly passed out, lol! I recommend that whomever takes you, doesn't try to watch the procedure. hahaha! The nurse and doctor were more worried about him than they were me, it was that simple. :) Hope it goes well for you! Deep breaths beforehand and relax!

[meg321]

Hi alex,I just had one and i didnt feel a thing.  They used something like novacaine to numb it twice and they talked me thru every step.  Had no problem at all.

I too was totally terrified and thought about running away..she said i could go to the pharmacy and get a valium and they would change my appt. But she talked to me first and by the time she finished I felt much better.

I think we hear a lot of horror stories, i know a lot of people who had no trouble at all.
I think it was Lulu that had tried to make me feel better, go read her posting.  They also told me that I didnt have to lie flat for hours either, that has changed, i just rested after at home.  The headache is caused by the hole not healing correctly.

Good luck sweetie, dont worry, it should be fine.  Letus know how it goes and i hope I dont miss your post.

hugs, meg

[HVAC]

Thanks for your support. I just wish they would make the appointment. The months of waiting for an LP made me chicken out the first time, it was sadistic. My results will take a week after the LP. I will do as everyone advises.
                                                            Alex

[doublevision1]

Mine was done by a neurology resident, without fluoroscope.  I had absolutely no trouble with it.  Only minor pain (like a 1 on a scale of 1-10) was the quick pinch from the needle inserted to numb the area.  Didn't feel anything else except perhaps some mild pressure, but no pain at all.  I didn't think to ask for a tranquilizer, because it all happened so fast I didn't have time to worry, which I realized afterwards was a good thing.   Neuro said I needed an LP, and within 30 minutes, it was happening!
My results were back the next day, mind you I was in hospital so labs are expedited vs. having them done as an outpatient.  
Oh, btw, my husband was with me, and sat next to me during the procedure.  It might help your anxiety if you can bring someone with you, someone calm and reassuring and not squeaming about hospitals and needles!
Also, like everyone else said, drink fluids esp those with caffeine, then lay flat, to avoid the post-LP headache.  I did so and had no headache afterwards.

[Lulu54]

Would it be one of my favorite things to do?  No!!!

but think of it as a necessary step to finding out what is wrong.  We do lots of things we don't like because it is good for us - having an LP for the MS dx is the same way.  Think of it as eating your vegetables, even the icky ones you don't like, because they're good for you.

my best and keep us posted,
Lulu

[HVAC]

I am having it done outpatient by a Neurosurgeon with fluoroscope. I appreciate your support.

[rendean]

I had my LP under fluoroscope by a doc in the pain management clinc across form the MS clinic. The procedure itself was quick , pain only while  the local lidocaine took effect(my the time you count to 10) and no pain pain afterwards. I did get a post-LP headache but I tend to get migraines so it was hard to differeiniate (sp?) between the two. Went back  10 days later for a blood patch. That procedure done by a different doc at the same facility was the same except it got rid of the headache.

If you're nervous, ask for an Ativan or something to relax. It's not that bad, honestly.

Good luck! If this helps, I would rather have another LP that an MRI without Ativan due to my bad claustrophobia.

Rendean

[Lulu54]

I had no problems with my LP and wrote about it extensively in my journal - all the details from start to finish are there.  I hope you will read this and visualize the procedure.  It should help to calm to nerves if you know what to expect.  

My journal post is here:

http://www.medhelp.org/user_journals/show/42150?personal_page_id=5829

It's going to be ok,
Lulu

[jensequitur]

They gave me a mild tranquilizer - seemed to help!

[Fluffysmom]

I would suggest a medication such as valium or xanax if you can tolerate them, maybe a pain pill (not aspirin or an nsaid) too.  You would need to have a driver home, but I think that's a good idea anyway after a LP.  

If music relaxes you and you have an iPod or another such player, then maybe you could play some relaxing music in headphones while they're getting you prepped (not when they're asking you questions, of course, lol).  It would have been nice to have some music while I was lying flat after my LP; would have kept my mind off of having to go potty.  I don't like bedpans!

Hey, I just noticed that you're from Durham; I'll be flying into RDU on April 16th.  I'll wave in your direction as I fly over.

Take it easy,

Kathy

[wonko]

Do you know if it will be done under fluoroscope?  This allows the doctor to use x-ray imaging to guide the needle.  This is how mine was done.  Though not exactly a fun experience, no horror story from me.  

I was told that I could drive myself and that I could go back to work that day, but chose to stay home and lay flat just in case, and drank a lot of fluids.

Also be prepared that the o-band test is slow, it usually takes a couple of weeks to come back.  It's stressful waiting for results, so it's good to know in advance how long they may take.

If you are undiagnosed, I would push the doctor who is ordering it to test for everything under the sun.  It's not an easy sample to collect, so try to get a lot of mileage out of it.

[Yayaba]

I had a LP.  The proceedure was that bad.  You just need to know that you will need to lay flat and not move for a couple days otherwise you will have an intense headache.  If the headache doesn't got away, they will need to put back some fluids in your body.  It wasn't a fun few days but it isn't that bad!  Hope that helps!

[Wobbly]

I had one a few years ago... I was in the hospital at the time...so it might be abit different then what you go through...I found my nerves were alot worse then what the procedure was... I expected alot worse and it was...

I asked for meds to relax me before the test.. so 15 min before the test..I took a Adivan I think it was... and relaxed on my side.. they told me it takes a few minutes to set up..while I was on my side.. they talked to me while they did their thing..the hardest part for me was the freezing...but it was a pinch on the back... then it was numb.. I felt them working but didn't feel anything ...

afterwards..they said to lay flat...no pillow...FLAT.... for at least a hour... I was just leaving the hospital that day, but before I left the Dr did give me fluids in a IV, so I suggest you drink lots water or coffee...they say caffine is good... try to rest up for a few days afterwards.

good luck and try not to worry to much...it's like me worrying about going to the dentist...and finding out it wasn't that bad... not fun...but not that bad..
take care
wobbly
undx