spinal tap

[mommie1962]

I have a spinal tap/lumbar puncture with fluro scheduled for next week--Tuesday.  I am scared---I called today to confirm and they told me that I would not be allowed to return to work Tuesday or Wednesday--but Thursday I could.  They said I would be at their office for about 1-2 hours for this procedure. then I would need to stay off my feet as much as possible because of back pain.  I have heard people having this in their doctor's office and being fine in no time.  This is going to be done by a very reputable diagnostic facility. I am a single mom and will need to take care of my kids---is this really going to give me that much back pain?  I have quite a high pain tolerance--I have had root canals and not needed anything stronger than a Tylenol.  I have had 4 kids and never took the narcotics afterwards--just plain Tylenol. Am I getting myself all worked up for possibly nothing?  Please let me know your experiences---NO horror stories though!!

[Joe79]

No worries for me.  The numbing shots stung some just like it does at the dentist or anything like that.  Then the tube thingy (outstanding medical terminology) for the fluid was just a pressure feeling.  I think the key to any needles, shots, or things of the sort is to completely relax and don't move.  My lower back was really sore for a couple days but not painful.  My head felt strange and had headaches for about two weeks, longer than most people say.  But it was nothing terrible, two advil and go to work.

The thing they didn't tell me was that I needed someone to get me from the hospital and drive me home or they wouldn't do it.  I got mad and kinda fought with the nurses on that one seeing as how I was already in the gown and had been there for an hour before getting this info.  I didn't see the difference between sitting in the passenger seat and sitting in the drivers seat.  Needless to say they sent the enforcer nurse lady for the rest of my stay and we got along fine.  Had a buddy drive me to the hospital so I could get my car later that afternoon.  So don't be scared but really listen to the recommendations for recovery to avoid that headache some people get.  Good luck and take care!

[HVAC]

The LP is not as bad as the fear before hand. Keep in mind this is not like a blood draw it does cause some trauma to the body so you do need to take care of yourself to heal. Everyone is different. I tried to walk to the kitchen the next morning and felt a sick concussion like feeling until I laid back down. I needed my husband to get me things the two days after the LP.

I bought a case of starbucks expresso shots because I was told to push caffine and fluids.

Good luck,
Alex

[sllowe]

Good luck to you next Tuesday.

I had a smooth LP procedure, but did suffer the leak days afterward. It is an invasive procedure (as compared to the other tests and imagine ordered) as the Dr. should advice, though most go very well.  You'll know if you have a spinal leak. The headache is like no other and only resolves by laying flat or blood patch.

Please do watch your activity levels for the 1st few days. No lifting, steps, etc. And keep the fluids pumped into you. Is someone bringing you there and home? Hope so.  

I'm with Supermum, line someone up to help with kids - just incase.

-shell

[supermum_ms]

I had my LP just under 2 weeks ago, no horror story here. I had mine at the day centre in a public hospital, neuro in training to boot though i did sound him out on how long he'd been doing them for (5 per day for over 2 months) if i'd been close to the first i would of pulled the plug lol.

Dont be scared, be prepared and if you think you need it get someone over to help with the kids, make it as easy for you as possible. I only felt the local anasthetic (sp?) it stung for about 30 seconds to a minute, that i hadn't expected so a friendly warning that it might sting before your numb, but that could be just me. I didn't feel the LP persay, nothing to even say about it really, i didn't feel any pain etc to talk about.

I had 2 hours to lay flat on my back before i was allowed to go home, they fed me sandwhiches and cups of coffee or juice and i read a book. I slept and slept when i got home, when i was awake i stayed flat on my back and drank a lot of water or caffeine, slept a lot in the first few days. I didn't get a headache of any kind at all, the only pain i had was when my bandage patch was ripped off, now that hurt and stung for longer than the LP.lol

For a precausion i did take over the counter everyday pain killers just in case, but i'm not sure they did anything, i was aware of the horror stories and thought i'd end up with a hangover from hell so i wanted to avoid it if i could.

Hope it helped!

Cheers....JJ

[Meaganj]

I had a spinal tap last year and was really scared. But if it's with sedation, as I assume yours will be if it's at a hospital. I fell asleep and woke up later thinking they hadn't even done it yet, and asking what the long wait was all about. I never felt any pain, even the next day. I had a friend drive me home, and it was Very important to stay laying down as much as possible for the first 24 to 48 hours. If not, you can run the risk of a KILLER headache (so I've heard), and it may prevent the spinal cord from healing properly. You may want to have someone help you with the kids for the next day or so. NO lifting, I was told, too.
As for the procedure itself, if it's anything like mine, you will not even remember you had it done! And when I took off the bandaid, there wasn't even any sign that anything had been done. Good luck!

Meagan :)

[landslide0105]

Hi there. Funny thing, were you born in 1962 also? I was too. The thing about the spinal tap:  DON'T WORRY - NO HORROR STORIES!  I got one in 2007 and it was not as bad as everyone makes them out to be. I won't lie, it does hurt and made me cringe my teeth a little while it was being done. But hey, I didnt cry.  If you have gone through childbirth, this will be a piece of cake.  Plus, you are back to normal the very next day after a good nights sleep.  Hope this info helps you.  Maggie (***@****) write me back if you have any more questions.