Spinal Tap Question

[mayperl]

I'm just wondering if this is gonna hurt.  My Neuro says it will feel like getting a tooth pulled. So, I said - you mean all I will feel is pressure?
Not exactly, he says.
Will I be numb?
We will numb you beforehand, yes.
So I won't feel anything?
For the most part, he says.

What a way to dance around the questions, LOL Just TELL me so I know what to expect, please.

To the people who have had this procedure, can you be a little more descriptive for me?  I'm scheduled for Wednesday :/ A lil scared.

Thank you <3 Mayperl

[Lulu54]

hurrah!  Another survivor for the record book.  Really we tell everyone the anticipation is so much worse than the actual procedure for almost everyone.

Keep resting and let everyone wait on you hand and foot for as long as you can get them to do it!  LOL

feel better,
Lulu

[HVAC]

Take it easy for a few more days and drink lots of water and caffiene. This is not a blood draw a little more traumatic to the body. Takes time to heal. You should feel a little better and better each day if not or if headache gets worse call the doctor.

Alex

[mayperl]

What a silly thing to get all amped-up over!  That was such a breeze :)

The anesthesia was the worst part. I have a hard lump were the needle point went in yesterday, and spent all night with a headache.  Woke up feeling great then, went to start on work and the headache returned something horrible.  I've been lying in bed ever since.  Now its back to eating peppermint patties and playing on the internet, lol

[mayperl]

so much to everyone who took the time out to respond to me!  I appreciate you sharing all of your experiences :))

I had an l5 fusion last April, so this will be done under guided xray.  That makes me feel better for lesser chances of multiple "pokes".

I'll send a confirmation post on Thursday for what a breeze it was.

[Heather3418]

The worst part, was the feeling of the "unknown."  I knew nothing about spinal taps before having this done.  The first attempt was made with me lying on my side, curled up in a ball.  After an hour of trying and hitting the nerve down my left leg, they re-scheduled another LP for the next morning, using Fluoroscopy.  That was the magic trick for me.

With the Fluoroscopy, they know EXACTLY where to insert the needle. (no guessing or probing) The numbing shot before hand, felt like a slight bee sting to me.  When they started the tap, it felt like alot of pressure at that point, but absolutely no pain.  I was also put on what they call a "tilt" table.  When they get the needle in the right place to withdraw some fluid, they tilted the table up, to where I was almost standing.  This makes for quicker collection of the fluid.

I was kept in the hospital for one hour, lying completely flat.  I was instructed to go home and lie flat and if I had to go to the bathroom, to crouch over like an old lady, so I would not be standing straight up.  They also told me to drink plenty of fluids.  I didn't know at that time, that caffeine is recommended to drink.

I did not listen to what they told me and went back to work after the procedure.  I payed for that, with a severe 3 day headache, that only could be relieved by laying flat when I got home.

I have not left anything out, when telling you exactly how my tap went.  I don't like it when people lie to me, to ease my nerves, so I won't do that with you.

I will tell you, that the "fear" we all have of this procedure is much worse than the LP.  If you follow directions and lie flat for at LEAST 24 hours and follow what they told me about going to the bathroom, drinking lots and lots of fluids, will go a long way to preventing what we all call the "LP headache."

Some people have 0 headaches and some people have severe headaches.  The headache is caused by an imbalance of fluid from withdrawing the spinal fluid.  It has to do with the "pressure changes."  Once the body replensihes that slight fluid loss, everything gets back to normal quickly.

Drinking alot of fluids the day before the procedure, has helped alot of people.  I wish I had listened to the advice that was given to me.

Rarely if ever, do they ever have to repeat the LP, once they have their specimens.  At least it is not a test, where you are going to have to go through this more than once.  Knowing exactly what it feels like, really takes the worry and fears away.  Please do not worry.  These people do spinal taps all the time.  They will not cripple you.  I know that people worry about that, when someone is sticking something in their spine.  I have never heard of that happening.  It will be over before you know.

We really do understand your worries and fears.  Hang in there.  You are going to do much better than you think you will and it really IS a very short test.

Let us know how you do. AFTER you have spent resting for at least 24 hours.  Let your family wait on your, while you lie on the couch and in the bed.

Heather

[HVAC]

I got a case of Starbucks double expresso shots in the can ahead of time and a bending straw. I had my husband give them to me for the next few days. I was one who had to stay in bed a few days. I healed up o.k.

The fear is worse than the procedure.

Alex

[CaliforniaMum]

Oh...forgot to add
For your Doc to say it's like having a tooth pulled..........I cant believe he said that. What a terrible analogy. I would go as far to say just take the "ogy" out of that word and go with that.....

[CaliforniaMum]

Everyone is different. Some people, it's a walk in the park, others it could be terrifying or uncomfortable. It all depends on the patient....be in a good position and try to relax as much as possible and the skill of the doctor. Mine was easy and painless. Eventhough my doc took her time in trying to find the right spot, it ended on a good note. Now my sister on the other hand, had a terrible time. It was painful for her and the doc kept sticking her over and over again because she couldnt get to the right place. We both have herniated & bulging discs that can complicate it some. My sister ended up having to do it again a week later under guided xray.
Like everyone has said, the fear is the worst part. I never feared because I have had many c-sections and used to this from my epidurals or spinals.
Afterward, drink, drink, drink. Drink your caffeine, water, gatorade and rest for the entire day.
Good Luck and hoping the very best for you!

[alixjo]

I had mine done last thursday, the only thing I felt was the scratch of the first local going in and then a short sharp tingle in my groin when he must have caught a nerve but that didn't even last a second. I was told to lie on my back and then I was given 6hrs of IV fluids. No headache.

Alixjo

[sg40]

Even if it does hurt, you will probably be surprised at how little. I strongly suggest that you lay flat and still for AT LEAST the 24 hours afterward, as they will direct you to do. I got up after 24 hours to shower - but that still was too soon for me. I got the headache. If you do get the headache, call IMMEDIATELY so they can fix it. By the time I called I was told it was too late to do the patch.
Overall, it seems the fear is the worst of it for most. Good luck to you.

[mommie1962]

I had my spinal tap in November.  It did not hurt.  I drank a lot of water the day before--about 8-10 glasses.  The numbing  really was not even as bad as novacaine by the dentist. The numbing injection was so quick I didn't realize they had started the spinal tap until I asked. I really only felt a little pressure during the actual procedure.  It lasted maybe 20-30 minutes. Then they cleaned the betadine off my back and put a band aid on me. They told me when I was ready I could sit up.  I was really light headed when I sat up and had a lot of pressure at the lower back area of my head.  I had to sit a few minutes because they needed to draw blood too.  My dad brought drove me there, waited, and took me back home.  He was surprised I was done so quickly.  I had this done as an outpatient procedure at the radiology lab. When I went home, I made sure I had plenty to drink---gatorade and water.  I stayed off work the following day, then went back the next.  Unfortunately, I came down with a very bad sinus infection 2 days after my spinal tap and had a terrible headache behind my eyes and the top of my head.  I even called the radiology lab and they told me it was not a spinal headache.  This sinus headache lasted 4 days!!!  I would not worry about the spinal tap at all---it doesn't hurt.  Just drink lots the day before and when you come home, lay down a lot and keep drinking!!!  Good Luck!!

[illinwithoutacause]

hi mayperl,

i had a lumbar puncture done in december and it didn't really hurt--it was just weird.  the only part that involved pain was when the neuro injected the numbing agent--kind of like getting a shot of novocaine at the dentist.  it just stung a little.  the actual spinal needle injection just felt like a quick pressure and was a very strange sensation.  then it was just a matter of waiting and it was over more quickly than i expected.  

although i am not generally needle-phobic, i specifically asked my doctor not to show me any of the equipment so i could separate myself from what was actually going to happen and that helped me not to be so nervous about it.

i was one of the unfortunate individuals who got a pretty good headache the next day which lasted for a couple of days.  i followed directions and stayed flat on my back and drank caffeine, but i wasn't able to stave it off.  i hope you are spared that experience.

good luck!
binx