LP Tomorrow- Scared stiff

[Sunnytoday]

9:30 is my LP tomorrow (Wed). And I'm scared. I don't like needles, never have never will. I also know I get wicked side effects from anything, so please, remember me tomorrow, that this goes ok... I have scoliosis and possible spina bifida so they are going to be careful and do it under flouroscopy but still.... i'm still nervous....

According to the Doc's order they are checking
Cell count
protein
glucose
oligo. bands (serum and CSF)
IgG index
Cytology
(and something else I can't read)

Ok... I'm REALLLLLLLY nervous here. How do ya'll handle this so well? I admire you guys.... I see on here so many of you going for this, and I'm like AHHH!!! Not me!!
~Sunnytoday~

[Sunnytoday]

Smiles... I'm thinking white undies at this point... although I did consider my striped/rainbow/hearts ones for a while... but I didn't want them to be distracted.... (smile)
And the singing I shall leave to those who handle stress better than I, my voice goes funky when I'm getting ready to scream!!!!
~Sunnytoday~

[Janette2836]

How about the purple undies  :)  I think I might have to get some of those & brush up on my singing!

[Sunnytoday]

oh, and I forgot, thanks for all the sweet notes... i read them all, just didn't have time to thank you for them....
~Sunnytoday~

[Sunnytoday]

I'm up and ready to go for this thing... we leave in about an hour... and I think i've already got butterflies... but I'm not near as scared as I was yesterday... thanks to you guys!!!!

Ok, to sum up this entire thread, let me see if I've got it all right.....

-Don't move during the procedure
-I shouldn't feel anything, but i probably will
-each person's experience is unique
-They will monitor me and it shouldn't take long... if all goes well
-I've got to follow their directions, and staying flat would be a good idea
-I'm blessed to have it done under flousoscopy
--I've got to drink LOT's of fluids
_i'm skipping the caffiene due to heart probs
-no running around tonight
-no wrenching my back about like usual
- lastly, serenading them is an option if things go downhill... even though my voice cracks when i'm nervous...

AND.... that both you and Christ are there with me... so I should be fine......

Love, and much hugs from a very grateful and slightly nervous Sunnytoday....
~Sunnytoday~

[risnerrose]

I've prayed that you have a comfortable procedure, that God remove the stress (anxiety) you feel, and that the test provide much needed results.

Sherry

[Freespirit24]

Prayers are said for you and hugs sent on angels wings.

Sarah

[LLWB]

Prayers for an easy time, and a quick return of the results. The Holy Spirit will be with you and the dr's performing the procedure. You can't ask for a better co-pilot that that.

Maggie

[monotreme]

We will be praying for you.  If you can, take a sedative of some kind. Get lots of rest and fluid.

Good Luck Sunny!!

Elaine

[Lulu54]

Its interesting how all these experiences are different . but everyone agrees its necessary to get on with the dx part.  

My neuro looked at me like I was crazy when I mentioned being there for two hours on my back after the LP.  He said I could do that if I wanted but they would eventually throw me out when they were ready to go home.  He said there was absolutely no need to do that.  He just gave the usual warning about being flat if I got a headache and also suggested caffeine.  

My husband had driven me and I had insisted he not wait for me but go see some customers in the area while I was going to be spending my time on my back waiting.... since I didn't have to do that wait on my back I bought a soda and went outside and had a nice sit on a bench in the sun for almost an hour waiting for him to come for me.  He felt so bad leaving me there, but I had insisted. We then had an hour drive to get home from the MS clinic.  I had a couple twinges of headache, but nothing ever really came of it.

I hope for both of you it goes that easy as well.
Laura

[yorkieville]

Hi, Sunny.

I know how you feel, I don't like needles either,so I was really terrified before I had my LP. But,  you are NOT supposed to feel any pain, and if you do, you have to let them know.

And if you get a headache after-wards, call the hospital immediately. I had one and believed that if you laid flat for 24 hours it would go away. Doesn't happen. I had to go in for a blood patch.

Please try not to be too afraid. Just think of all of us, we'll be there right there in your heart.

Hugs,
Sheila

[Janette2836]

I am going into mine thinking of the good excuse I will have to nap the ENTIRE  day!  :)

Janette

[trueblue06]

Hey Sunny,
Good luck to you for your LP. Fluoroscopic LP's, in my opinion are the best choice.

They have less chance of missing the right spot as they can see it all. I was able to watch the monitor and see what was happening so that took my mind off the procedure.

There is no point me saying to you that it is a piece of cake 'cause it really isn't and there is some discomfort but it will be over before you know it.

Remember above everything else after the procedure is over you must stay FLAT.

DON'T LIFT YOUR HEAD EVEN A LITTLE BIT until they tell you it is ok.
They will check on you often to see how you are.

You may have read other posts here about the after headache.
This didn't happen to me but does occur and I believe it is not very nice.

You will sail through this, just stay SUNNY!

Thinking of you

TB

[Sarahsmom46]

Think of it this way....By tomorrow at this time you will be kicking back relaxing and thinking "hey, that was no big deal.  Why was I stressed about it"!!!  Kidding aside, you will do just fine.  The best part of this procedure is getting answers.  Keep you eye on the prize.  

Lots of Hugs,

Julie

[Deej70]

I've never had one done but just wanted you to know that I'm sending you positive vibes that you get through it quickly and painfree!

[Salamander2]

Try not to stress about it,  go to your happy place and try to relax.  Honestly, the procedure only stings for a minute when they use the numbing medication and the you feel pressure like someone pushing on your back.  Mine was probably 10 minutes total and the doc and nurse chatted with me, so it went fine and the time passed quickly.  So no sweat, just be sure you are VERY well hydrated and follow the after care instructions to the "T".
You are in my Prayers.
Sally

[Fluffysmom]

My LP wasn't a good experience, kind of like Wonko's but without the singing and purple panties. I was doing deep breathing, even said out loud "Breathing in, I relax my body, breathing out, I feel calm".  I ended up standing on one leg like a stork on that hydraulic table.

See if you can take some diazepam or alprazolam (valium or xanax) before the procedure to help you relax.  Remember to keep breathing when they stick the needle in that first time; I didn't find the sting of the numbing medication bad at all, but if you don't like needles....  Try to relax and not tense up.

Drink lots of water and your other favorite fluids after the LP; it helps rehydrate you, and wards of the possible headache.  If you've got one of the best working on you, everything should go very smoothly and you'll skip the headache.

I wouldn't mind having another if needed, if I know the doctor performing it is really excellent at the procedure, and takes the time to understand what shape my lower back is in.

I'll be thinking about you,  sending you calming thoughts.  I know you'll do just fine.  Try to stay down for a day after, though you may sneak a few minutes at the computer to let us know how it went, after you've been down for several hours.  Let that tiny hole heal up.
Then come tell your forum family how your experience with an LP was.

Love and hugs,

Kathy

[Sunnytoday]

thanks Lauri... Whew, I can't imagine having several though.. I hope that's not my lot in life....

THanks for the wonderful encouragement, I'm feeling much better about it by the minute!

~Sunnytoday~

[Lauri8967]

OK - Sunny -
I have had SEVERAL spinals (LPs) and I also have scoliosis and poss spina bifida (did a chiro tell you that too?) and I also have Arnold Chiari Malformation 1 which can affect CSF pressure.  I have NEVER - not ONCE had a problem.  It is not a bad procedure at all - it sounds so much scarier than it is.  Its a little pop through the skin, then another little pop into get the spinal fluid.  
I also did not get a headache at all...I dont think Im lucky..alot of people I know didnt have those side effects.. I think its really important to keep your mindset on the fact that it is a very common procedure, and your doc has probably done hundreds and hundreds of them.  If you have a muscle relaxer of tranquelizer, maybe it would be best to be more relaxed, but really - no worries....standard test for neuro patients..
Good luck, honey, and I agree with Doni - you are so kind to everyone here...thank you.
Lauri

[Sunnytoday]

Wonko- you made me laugh so hard I'll go in smiling tomorrow from the thought!!!! I mean, it sounds unpleasant and all, but the way you described it is hilarious!!!

Jen- ouch... ick, that doesn't sound fun at ALL!

Ok enough with hitting bones and nerves... I'm thinking happy positive thoughts.... and am not going to wear purple panties... I'm thinking something more wild... like white!

Oh, and i do trust the guy doing it, he's SUPPOSED to be the best in the area... I'll be able to tell you better tomorrow if he really is or not! :)

You guys are the BEST!!
~Sunnytoday~

[jensequitur]

All right!  I'm surprised you hadn't had one already.

I'm not going to lie to you - the LP is probably one of the most painful experiences I've had.  I knew it was necessary, so I did it.  

My neuro prescribed 2 azaprazalam-something-or-other.  They were mild tranquilizers.  I took one a little before, and it calmed me down just enough.

The painful part wasn't the extraction of the spinal fluid, it was the injection of the anesthetic.   It burned really bad.  Then they stuck in the needle, and I think they touched a nerve, because my left leg felt like an electrical bolt had gone through it.  I had to get hubby to pull it back up to my chest, because I was afraid to use my muscles - after all, they had a needle in my spine.

However, I'm pretty sure it's because they DIDN'T do it under fluoroscopy.  Because of your spinal problems, they're going to have to see what's going on in there, so you should be safe on that one.

Just keep saying to yourself - this is important, I have to do this, it will be over soon.  That's what got me through mine!

[Janette2836]

The thing that works best for me is to keep busy - that way I am not able to think about it every minute of the day.  I also have scoliosis & my LP is scheduled for Thursday morning.  My prayers are with you for peace of mind.  Let us know how it goes.  Take care.

Janette

[Lulu54]

You sound like me last week.  My anxiety about the test was so much worse than the actual test.  My neuro said the most important part of a good LP test is the patient. The more you can relax, the better it will be.  Take deep cleansing breaths, and don't forget to drink lots of fluid afterwards.  
Let us know how it goes - I'm sure you'll be fine!!
My best,
Laura

[wonko]

I'm glad you'll have this procedure over with soon.

I didn't exactly enjoy it, I've told stories about it here before.  Here's some highlights:

I had it done under fluoroscope at a small hospitol.  I was on a big table face-down with an open gown, exposing not only my back, but my colorful drawers as well.  It wasn't too bad, but I did experience discomfort as even with the fluoroscope, they missed a couple of times and hit bones in my back.  I didn't want to swear, so I just sang the Star Spangled Banner, loudly.  The table was hooked up to some hydraulics or something so they could tilt it, which they needed to do to drain enough fluid out of me.

So there I was, plus-sized purple panties sticking out, rocking back and forth, singing a tribute to the USA.  

Hope this gives you a laugh, and doesn't give you nightmares!

I just tried to keep in mind that the procedure wouldn't last forever, and that I'd get to relax for the rest of the day.  I got take out from my favorite Indian place, watched cartoons, and drank lots of water and iced tea.  

Try to arrange some nice comforts for yourself for afterwards, it's nice to have something to look forward to!

Good luck!

[Sunnytoday]

Hey there, you guys are so nice... and the encouragement from someone who's been there, and done that makes me feel better, really!

But, I'll skip the caffeine... my heart can't do that. But I'll be sure to rest afterward. :)

I'm trying not to worry, it just sorta popped up on me here, we heard today that it was set for tomorrow morning, so it was kinda fast. :)

~Sunnytoday~