Spinal Tap (lumbar Puncture) Question

[thester6474]

Hi, as I have already mentioned, I have an LP scheduled for this coming Thursday.  I was wondering if it would actually be safe for me to drive after leaving the exam (I live an hour away from Neuro's office).  My family is not wanting me to drive afterwards, lol, already have a few chauffers already, would rather do it myself though.

[Buffalogirl]

Hi!  From my experience, I would have someone else drive.  My spinal tap was supposed to be like an epidural but it wasn't.  It wasn't painless, but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, either.  Relax if you can, don't stress about driving all that way.  Good Luck!!!

[Heather3418]

I won't lie to you, the LP is not a picnic, but it's also overwith quickly and gives the physician a world of information.  It's a good bet, that this LP will be the only one you will ever have to have for the rest of your life.  

I would rather know what the spinal fluid shows in the diagnosis process and deal with a litle discomfort, than not have it and be left with so many questions.

It's one of these times, where sometimes we take a little discomfort to get a world of information.  They will numb the area before they do the tap.  That feels like a little bee sting.  It's really good for numbing up the area.  The greatest "pain" I felt was not pain at all, but the feeling of pressure.  Like someone is taking their thumb and pushing hard against your back.

The more relaxed you are, the quicker the procedure will go.  You can have it done under flouroscopy, which shows them the EXACT location to do the tap.  No poking around and prolonging the test.  That's my preferred way to go.  If you are anxious, you can ask for some anti-anxiety medication (from your doctor's orders) before the test, so you will be more at ease.

Once it's over, you will not only say you're glad it's over but wonder why you worried yourself over it.  And again, the advice is to drink plenty of liquids before and after your exam.  Caffiene really seems to help for some reason.

It's a valuable diagnostic tool.  Maybe that will give you all the incentive you need to go and get it over with.  It's not like you get a prize at the end, like when you are having a baby, but the prize is valuable information for your doctor.

So many of us here have gone through it and guess what....we are still alive to talk about it.  You will do just fine.  Being nervous is normal.  All of us go through that.  No one likes needles.  It will be over before you know it and it will be one less than you have to worry yourself over.  You're strong, you can do it.

Please keep us updated about your test and results.

Be Well, Heather  

[Nanners123]

I agree with all to NOT drive home. I tried to drive the evening of my LP about four hours later and became so dizzy and felt very ill. I pulled off the road and had my husband come and pick me up.

I did not think the pain was bad at all, however, will say that it was uncomfortable. Good luck and take the ride.
N

[JonM]

Do yourself a favor and have someone else drive. YOU NEED TO LAY DOWN AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE after the LP.  Driving yourself home is almost assuring that you will get the dreaded LP headache.

[pennst8r]

Good grief - I am such a dip! My LP was not sleep deprivation - that was my EEG. So very sorry. I've been cattle prodded so many times I can't keep it straight, lol. The EEG I was allowed to drive home, not the LP.

SO back to the LP - I had lidocaine (like what the dentist uses) right at the site of the LP. TRULY the test itself is a little uncomfortable, but really did not hurt. It's just unsettling, ya know what I mean? I laid on my stomach (though some places have you "ball up" on your side) and they used fluoroscopy to guide the needles safely. The hospital had me lie flat for 2-4 hours right there before I was allowed to leave. You should stay down as much as you can and drink lots of fluids.

Rena is right about the headache. SOME people, myself included, get a big honkin' migraine afterward. Drinking some caffeine seems to help with this. My migraine did not come right away, but a few hours later. That is reason enough not to drive. My lumbar area was quite sore too. I really wouldn't be scared, and I won't lie to ya about the experience either.

You'll be fine. We'll be with you in spirit.

Penn

[essdipity]

I made it clear from the outset that I wanted to drive myself to and from and they let me do that. The big difference is that in that case they will administer only local anesthetic. Otherwise, and especially upon request, they will do twilight sleep or something else to make you very woozy so there's no way you could safely drive home. Choose the second alternative if you think you might sort of freak out due to anxiety over the test, as some people do. I didn't and everything was fine.

They make you lie still for a couple of hours afterwards and give you good instructions as to how to deal with effects. Some do get horrible headaches but the majority don't. I was very lucky and it was mostly a non-event for me. I had very little pain during the LP and none later.

You do need to be sure of what you want in advance though. And if friends or family really want to be there with you and drive you, why not let them?

Good luck.

ess

[thester6474]

Honestly, I do not know, I did not know that they could do it under deprevation.  Lol, be honest with me now, I am scared, but how painful was it?

[Rena705]

Hi There!  In my opinion you should take FULL ADVANTAGE of your volunteer chauffeur's and don't even THINK about driving home yourself!  If think about it...what if you were to drive and suddenly get hit with that excrutiating pain in your head that you will get after an LP and you get into an accident and not only hurt YOURSELF but what if you HURT SOMEONE ELSE!

I say, take the responsible road and have a someone drive you, if you drive you are basically being an impaired driver and you do know better, don't you?

I am not trying to be hard on you but I want you to make an informed decision for yourself.  Please don't drive though as you will find that you will want to do nothing more than lay your head down to relieve the pain and you will not be able to drive that way especially for an hour!

Please tell us that you are not going to drive and you are going to have someone else pick you up, take you home, put you to bed and give you lots of fluids and caffeine and you are going to stay lying down for about 24 hours.  After that you should limit your activities for 48 hours in that you should do no lifting, working out, nothing strenuous.  It is only 72 hours out of your life...your life will not come to a stop because of it...but it could if you don't follow the rules!

Lots' of Hugs,

Rena705

[pennst8r]

A strong independent woman like me, I see:)

The hospital where I had my LP stated that they would not do the procedure unless I had someone to drive me home. This was about a month ago. I strongly advise you to get someone to drive you, especially since you live an hour away. That is how far I live from where I had mine. I was tired and sore. Is your LP "with sleep depravation" like mine?

Let somebody play "Driving Miss Daisy" (Miss Thester??)

Good luck

Penn