Spinal Tap/Lumbar Puncture

Hi, just wanting to know of anyone has had a spinal tap?  

I have been having a number of problems for 2 months and I am currently awaiting a date when I will be going into hospital for a few days to have the tap and other tests CT etc.

I have already had an MRI which showed changes in my lumbar spin, they didn't explain what those changes but they did confirm it was not chnages in the bones, there weren't any prolapsed discs ete either.  

I have lost all sensation in my left leg, groin, back and this has been like this now for 2 months. I also have tinnitus in my left ear and a weakness in my left arm.

Can anyone advise me why they would be doing a spinal tap? And/or advice about what could be causing this left sided numbness.  I am normally a very fit and active 30 year old women.

Thank you

[mae1]

I just had a spinal tap done in Nov. 2006 it was to confirm a DX. of MS. I was DX. that same month. was your MRI done w/wo contrast? and did they say what they were looking for when they did it or what there looking for in these up coming tests?
Mae.

[EL18]

Thanks for responding.  I had an MRI done because at first they thought it was a prolapsed disc but when they couldn't see a prolapse disc they referred me to neurology for further tests.  I presumed the mri had come back clear but I saw a professor of neurology yesterday who said there were changes within my spin and I'm sure he mentioned something about a lining?  I didn't take anything in he said really and should have asked loads of questions when I had the opportunity but it's just so overwhelming.

I asked if he thought it could be MS and he said that wasn't what he was leaning towards but I'm just going insane not knowing what is going on.  It's 4.30am where I am and I've had another night of no sleep.  Everytime I try to lie down and go to sleep areas in my body start 'jumping'.  

I really scared with what is happening with my body.  I've been awake now for 28 hours and my brain just doesn't want to switch off and let me sleep and yet I don't feel tired.

When I go into hospital, they sais they are going to do a CT scan, lumbar puncture and other tests.

[EL18]

Thanks Mae,  I really appreciate your comments and advice.

It's just seems so stupid that this all started months ago when I thought I had period pain in my left ovary.  My doctor is being agressive now as so far they said it was an infection, it wasn't, then they said the cervical cancer I had, had come back, it hadn't, then the prolapsed disc conclusion.....!  All that is enough to send anyone mad.  It's just the comstant waiting and not knowing.

I will let you know what happens?

Where are you by the way...USA?  Is it night time there?

Em

[mae1]

Im sorry to here your having such a rough time and your right, it is scary when our body does things without our permission but just try to relax. I know that's easier said then done but if you can find a way to do it the body wont react so badly. fear can do a lot of weird things to us. Im glad to here your doc. is being so aggressive and putting you in the hospital to do all of these tests, hopefully you will get some answers faster. if there's anything I can help you with let me know and hang in there.
Mae.

[mae1]

please do let me know! yes I live in the USA how about you? and right now it is 12:30 at night. I was very fatigued after work today so a took a nap, unfortunately I slept too long and now Im wide awake LOL. Im going for my second MRI OF THE HEAD AND SPINE TOMORROW to compare to my first one that ai received at my DX. TO SEE IF THE TREATMENT IS WORKING. I THINK IM A LITTLE ANXTIOUS TO SEE IF ANY THING HAS CHANGED.
MAE.

[EL18]

Hello again.

I'm in the UK.

I'm sorry to hear about what you are going through, feel awful moaning on really as you have enough problems.  How long since you were told you had MS? You seem really positive.....even though you are anxious..which is credit to you. Has it changed your life much and what were your symptoms?

[mae1]

I was dx. in NOV. OF 2006. it started with fatigue for about a year. I'm a single mother of 3 teenage boys and I work full time so I just chalked it up to that and at times even question if I was becoming lazy. then  my hands and feet kept falling asleep and I would wake up in the morning sometimes and I wouldn't be able to feel my arm, once I moved it around a little bit the feeling would come back. again I just chalked it up to being a hair dresser and being on my feet all the time. then one day I was coming home from work and my left leg started aching and got real heavy. that scared me so I made an appt. for my family doc. I have been to the doc. in 2 years for a check so I thought it was time. I really thought he was going to tell me to slow down take some vitamins and eat better, instead he wanted to run some blood work and do a MRI of my head w/wo contrasts. three weeks later I was siting in a neurologist office and being told I had multiple sclerosis It was a shock. I feel like I'm handling it pretty well and so are my boy's. I have my bad day's but I know stress makes ms worse so I try to avoid it at all cost. enough about me what are your symptoms?
Mae.

[EL18]

You sound like a great, strong and proud mum!

Well, this all started about 2 months ago.  I actually thought I had period pain, pretty severe period pain in my left ovary but I don't get periods or pain as I'm on the depo.  I put up with it for about 6 weeks then it got too bad, my left legs starting going numb and I couldn't feel myself going to the loo. As time progressed, leg went completely dead, back pains started and numbness/heavy feeling in left arm.  Shooting pains down leg etc, followed my pins and needles.  Now I can feel most of my leg but it's not reacting properly, had needles stuck in me but no feeling. I can walk...in a fashion!! I've also tinnitus for a while now in my left ear.  It's just odd as it's all on the left?

Like you,  I run around at full speed and just put pain down to pressure at work, stress really.  I was also swimming everyday, so put back pain down to over doing it in the pool.

I'm just at a loss and you can scare yourself to death reading stuff online but I just wish I had some answers.  

[EL18]

Thanks Mae.... I will.

I'll keep everything crossed for you tomorrow.  Hope it goes ok.

Let us know.

Take care

Em

[mae1]

that is by far the worst thing about not feeling well in the beginning and that is the not knowing. Im sure somethings going to come back with all the different tests your haveing, just keep pushing for answers. If you dont no one will. hang in there.
mae.