Aa
spinal tap
Hello again everyone. Hope everyone is having a fun, weekend! I have my spinal tap scheduled Tuesday morning, a little nervous but praying for some progress from the results none the ledd. Any tips?
Rogers5, the anticipation of this test for the first time is so much worse than the actual test. Just the words *spinal tap* conjours images of horror flicks or a hard rock band.
The lumbar puncture - LP - is growing out of favor with some neuros to test for MS since it doesn't prove or disprove it but most still want this piece of collaborating evidence.
I am so glad yours is done and now we wait for the results.
Lulu
The lumbar puncture - LP - is growing out of favor with some neuros to test for MS since it doesn't prove or disprove it but most still want this piece of collaborating evidence.
I am so glad yours is done and now we wait for the results.
Lulu
Glad it went well, the procedure is uncomfortable but your right it is quick so tolerable. Hope you don't get the headache. Just take it easy and if you get pain lay back down. Thanks for the update
Had the lp today. No headache thankfully. Just rested most of the day, lots of water and caffeine . The lp itself did hurt for a minute but nothing too bad, a weird mix of pain and pressure. Wouldn't be worried if I had to do it again. There is tenderness around the site and in my upper bum still.
I was told to lay down for 24 hours and take it easy for another 24. I laid down for 24 hours and then went to work the next day. I was in pain within 3 minutes of getting in the car. I had to drive home laying down as much as I could. I think it was because I had a leak, sounds like most people dont have that problem. I did drink caffeine too. I just stayed laying down and then i didnt have the pain. Luckily i had plenty of sick time built up at work. No regrets, I would do it again if needed.
Good luck, the test itself is a breeze (not like on TV, with the screaming and unbearable tension and pain. BUT! if you get the headache, don't tough through it. Go to ER, and demand the blood patch.
A very small percentage of people have developed brain herniation as a result of CSF leak; my LP should never have been done because I had a preexisting herniation that got 50% worse (only treatment is brain surgery.) Still, I'm glad I did, as it took me over a year to persuade neuro to order one, and an unprecedented 17 o-bands were discovered.
Even dispite this, I had an MS specialist try and tell me I had conversion disorder. I shut her up with a single question, helpfully suggested to me by a psychiatrist who is appalled at how many neuros are sending him alleged "conversion" patients who meet NONE of the DSM criteria.
Dumb neuro, in lecture on conversion disorder, wanted to tell me all neurologists have dual certification. I relayed this to my psych and he said, "Yeah, so do I but I don't practice neurology," he says. "So what makes these guys think they can practice psychiatry?"
Anyway, the question that shut the neuro up (and you have to deliver it in a very meek, innocent voice): "Since you have this dual certification, can you show me where in the DSM 17 oligoclonal bands are listed as being symptoms of conversion disorder?"
Game, set and match to 17 o-bandslater.
I can honsetly say I wish I DID meet the criteria for conversion disorder, because then I would never need to talk to another neurologist. What do they feed them in their residencies? ***holios, the breakfast of aspiring f-wits?
A very small percentage of people have developed brain herniation as a result of CSF leak; my LP should never have been done because I had a preexisting herniation that got 50% worse (only treatment is brain surgery.) Still, I'm glad I did, as it took me over a year to persuade neuro to order one, and an unprecedented 17 o-bands were discovered.
Even dispite this, I had an MS specialist try and tell me I had conversion disorder. I shut her up with a single question, helpfully suggested to me by a psychiatrist who is appalled at how many neuros are sending him alleged "conversion" patients who meet NONE of the DSM criteria.
Dumb neuro, in lecture on conversion disorder, wanted to tell me all neurologists have dual certification. I relayed this to my psych and he said, "Yeah, so do I but I don't practice neurology," he says. "So what makes these guys think they can practice psychiatry?"
Anyway, the question that shut the neuro up (and you have to deliver it in a very meek, innocent voice): "Since you have this dual certification, can you show me where in the DSM 17 oligoclonal bands are listed as being symptoms of conversion disorder?"
Game, set and match to 17 o-bandslater.
I can honsetly say I wish I DID meet the criteria for conversion disorder, because then I would never need to talk to another neurologist. What do they feed them in their residencies? ***holios, the breakfast of aspiring f-wits?
You are usually instructed to lay flat the rest of the day after the test is done (except to go to the bathroom). There is also often a recommendation to "take it easy" the day after. Going back to a desk job MIGHT be okay. If your job requires lifting or a lot of activity I would try to get another day off.
Caffeine intake MIGHT help. It definitely won't hurt. Fluids are encouraged because you need enough to help your body make replacement fluid for what was removed.
It's good to get prepared so you have a better idea of what to expect but don't forget to relax and try to enjoy your weekend.
Mary
Caffeine intake MIGHT help. It definitely won't hurt. Fluids are encouraged because you need enough to help your body make replacement fluid for what was removed.
It's good to get prepared so you have a better idea of what to expect but don't forget to relax and try to enjoy your weekend.
Mary
Just curious, how long do they tell you to rest after? I have heard something about caffiene,, I think it was to drink alot of tea. Have you heard of this?
Just make sure you follow doctors orders after your procedure. I tried to go to work the next day...big mistake for me. I was fine laying flat on my back, but was in a lot of pain on the back of my head if I was up for more than a couple minutes. This lasted 5 days, I had a leak. So I had 5 days of lots of rest and watching movies. The procedure itself was a lot easier than I expected, I had my done at hospital.
For me the results took about 6- 8 weeks.
The test went fine and I had no issues with it either during or after.
Take care,
Wildcat
The test went fine and I had no issues with it either during or after.
Take care,
Wildcat
Hello,
It will take a few weeks to get the results back, are you having the LP done at the hospital?
My test went fine, no problems afterwards.
take care
Johnniebear
It will take a few weeks to get the results back, are you having the LP done at the hospital?
My test went fine, no problems afterwards.
take care
Johnniebear
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I did stop and buy a diet coke after my procedure and drank that while I was waiting for my ride home.
I'm beginning to believe the problems with the LP depends not only on the skill of the person doing the test ,but especially the size of the needle. Spinal fluid does not coagulate like blood does, and the entry point to draw the CSF is where these leaks occur. The cure for this problem if it occurs is a blood patch, which would coagulate. About 17% of people have problems with the headache after an LP, so don't hesitate to call your doctor if you develop the dreaded headache.
If you want to know about the lp procedure, I wrote about it in my journal, which you can a;ccess at
http://www.medhelp.org/user_journals/show/42150/My-LP---in-all-the-details---not-new-but-here-for-reference?personal_page_id=865800
good luck and stay in touch,
Lulu