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365281 tn?1200059308

spinal tap

My neuro is goin to do a spinal test after a mri of spine and sleep study. my question is does the spinal hurt??? Ive posted previously my symptoms and only had 1 response fr quix. this not knowing is driving me crazy. any insight woud be greatly appreciated! thanks and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
ps why is he having me do a mri of my spine??
14 Responses
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209591 tn?1267414714
Hi, I just had a spinal tap this last Thursday....The spinal tap was a peice of cake, the worst part of the whole ordeal was the anticipation and the lying flat afterwards...Let us know how you turn out.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I just wanted you to know that an LP is a simple process, but in my case, a little painful.  You see I have had 4 procedures done on me in a 2 year period.  My neuro did not perform the process, but her good friend, an anesthiologist, who by the way, is very handsome.  He told me that he would not give any sedative or any medication at all to numb my back because I were a woman.  He also indicated that if I were a man, he would have to give him general anesthecia because men tolerate pain very little.

I think that your neuro is stretching the diagnosis a little too far.  If you have the lesions and the symptom, he should start you on medication, because even if it is possible MS, the sooner you are treated with the medications available, the better off you are.  The ABC's medications would try to stop a relapse, if it is possible.  Make sure that your doctor understands that you are not second guessing his knowledge, but maybe a second opinion would good for you at this stage of the game.

Good luck with your procedure, don't be scare because the procecedure lasts less than your worries of having it done.

Happy holidays and a new year without having to worry about what else would come. I mean fewer relapses or better yet, no relapses at all.

Gooddays

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I had a LP and it hurt like heck!!!  I am obese (more than 30-40 lbs overweight), so they had to work it a little.

The first doc tried but it hurt to much and he couldn't break through.  He hit something.  By the time they transferred me to radiology my left butt cheek was aching.

The killer came when they got me to radiology.  I literally cried and screamed like a baby because it hurt so much!!!.  I haven't cried like that in public in years.

I'm glad other people had positive experiences.  All I know is the next one, I will demand to be knocked out or drugged out my mind.  I absolutely DREAD the thought of going through that again!!!!!!!!!!!
Helpful - 0
365281 tn?1200059308
trish please refer to my post mri results verbatim for my comment back to you.... sorry im new to this stuff lol
Helpful - 0
365281 tn?1200059308
Trish i responded to yourcomment on my verbtim mri. so please refer to that for my response. Excuse me but i'm new to this lol :)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi Cherby,

I had 2 LPs attempted, the last one successful. To be honest, the first one was a blind puncture that was unsuccessful and painful. I requested he stop and do one under fluoroscopy (basically an x-ray to make sure the radiologist got the right spot). That one was a breeze. No headaches, a very restful time for a few hours afterward and I went back to work at noon the next day for 8 hours with no problems.

The c-spine MRI is to look for lesions (bright spots) as well. From what I've found in what I could research online is that the doctors look for 3 areas for a definitive diagnosis: a brain MRI, a c-spine MRI, and a lumbar puncture. The MRIs are to find the bright spots (generally called lesions) and the LP is looking for oligoclonal cells. Banding of the oligoclonals indicates MS, though a small percentage (5% is what I generally find) of individuals don't have banding but do have a diagnosis.

Hope you find the help you need. Best of luck through this process. I just got my diagnosis and know how nerve-wracking it can be.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS! :)

-Trish
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I had an LP.  It didn't hurt, however, I did have a few headaches, not bad ones, for about a week after.  You do need to lay still for an hour after this procedure is done.  Do it or it will be really hard on you afterwards.  Be sure you go to the bathroom before it's done, so you can lay still for the hour after it.  I couldn't use the bed pan, and just had to lay there needing to go really bad.  You'll be fine, I promise.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi. I had a spinal tap done too. it wasn't that bad. i was definitely scared and very worried. but it wasn't bad at all. i just felt the numbing shot and some pressure. but for sure, lay down afterwards or you'll get what they call spinal headaches. they are not good. trust me. i had to get a blood patch a week later to close the hole where they did the spinal tap at. but try not to worry aboutit. the doctors know what they are doing. good luck!
Helpful - 0
195469 tn?1388322888
You have been given the correct information.  The little numbing shot they give you before the actual tap, feels like a bee sting, but doesn't last long.  When they put start to withdraw spinal fluid you feel pressure, like someone is pushing their thumb up against your back.  The procedure doesn't take long at all and it's over with before you know it.  The worst part is the worry of just having the procedure.  Once it's done, you will wonder what all the worry was about.

Many, many people on this forum have had a spinal tap and we are all here to talk about it.  We made it through and so you will.  Hang in there.  The fear is worse than the procedure.

Pleaase keep us posted when you feel up to posting.

Heather
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
AMO
i have had two lp    and both a breeze, in the hands of a good doctor.
the hardest  part i found was being so stillll  from my tremors, but still find.
hydrate before and after. resting a good 30 minutes after before gettitng up, then resting and taking it easy a nother couple ( milk it for all you can!! LOL) pleas e do not take this wrong anyone, but my doctor made a commennnt that made me thinking leaner patients are an easier target. plus i h just happen to have a mole right at the right spot... he made me swere i would never remove it! LOL like i will ever have another!
anywas, good luck
Helpful - 0
209591 tn?1267414714
Hi, I just had a spinal tap (LP) yesterday, and if your Neuro is half as good as mine it will not hurt....The only thing I felt was the needle he put in injecting the numbing solution...Believe me, I was worried to death up until he injected the LP needle.  The hardest part of the whole procedure is the anticipation.  Everything will be fine...I did not even have the spinal headache afterwards.
Helpful - 0
365281 tn?1200059308
hi Andrea (great name ..my sisters name ) Thanks for your response. I have no clue why I'm having a sleep study done. Have you read my very long post of symptoms??? My doc is not really teling me anything.. states he is puzzled even though MRI showed the numerous spots and i have so many symptoms.
So that does leave me very confused. If anyone out there knows why he has me doing a sleep study please give me your opinion.
Thanks again  Andrea. You also have a Happy Holiday!!!
Helpful - 0
293157 tn?1285873439
Hi Cherby, I've had a LP and asked for something to calm me down before the procedure.  It helped alot, I found the freezing abit sore, but with the pills to calm me it went alright.  I agree to say laying down, no pillow at all, and even if you feel alright to move, don't... wait it out.  My MRI of the brain, showed some lesions, but they said not in the right region or something?? So, I'm waiting to have a Cervical Spine MRI done, to see if there is any signs there?  My LP was neg too. I'm still waiting for a dxs...so hang in there and try to have a Happy Holiday.

Question for you?  Why are you having a Sleep Study done?  

Andrea
Helpful - 0
199980 tn?1233797404
my spinal didnt hurt much at all. the only thing that was a little uncomfortable was the shot that numbed my back.
once that was in I felt nothing.......
I was very careful to lay flat all day to be sure not to recieve a headache. Iv'e heard they are terriable if you dont lay down the suggested time. good luck to you, you'll do fine.
april.
Helpful - 0
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