lumbar puncture/spinal tap

[Guest guest]

Ruth, I strongly urge you to go home & lie down after your tap, for at least 12 hours. Most doctors tell you not to worry about getting a spinal headache. Ha! I've had two spinal headaches, one from spinal anesthesia & one from a lumbar puncture. Plan to drink lots of fluids, including caffiene. You will know if you get a spinal headache. It goes away when you lie down flat, but prevention is far better.

Ramblin' Rose

Moderator

Reply-To: Neurosarcoidosis To: Neurosarcoidosis Subject: Re: Shocking visit with Neuo DrDate: Fri, 7 Apr 2006 01:16:14 -0700 (PDT)

Ruth,

I just recently had a lumbar puncture and was apprehesive as well. It really wasn't bad at all. The Dr. will need you to arch your back out towards him like a mad cat, then he will feel around for landmarks to see where he needs to insert the needle. After that he will give you a local anesthetic and perform the puncture. Mine really didn't hurt it did make my leg jump which suprised me. When he was done they put on a bandaid and had me lay down for 45 minutes. Good look with all your tests I know they can be very stressful and I hope you get to start your remicade soon. I go for my second infusion tommorrow.

Wishing you well.

Tammyolehomepla wrote:

I went today for my 6 months neuro check up...only because if I didn't go I would have been dropped of the patient list because I rescheduled an appt. This is the guy who blew me off 6 months ago. Now he wants to do every test that hasn't been done already! I am so tired of tests that it was all I could do not to look him in the eye and tell him THANKS BUT NO THANKS! I have a lumbar tap on Friday. That one scares me. How bad is it? Then 2 two hour MRI on Monday (bring out the VALIUM!)of my spine and a Nerve conduction study on Tuesday!! He discussed NS but said he didn't think I had it. WHY bring it up then! I saw on the paper work I am to take to the hospital that he is testing me for MS. I am not complaining - honest. I guess I am just in a STATE OF SHOCK. 3 doctors in two weeks are discussing that I DON'T HAVE NS! Since my treatment or lack of at IUMC last year I really have given up getting help...I was just going through the motions and not expecting to get treatment! Just keeping my doctors appts. If it hadn't been for my TERRIFIC eye doc I'd probably not be getting anything done. I haven't heard if the pre auth has come through for the Remicade yet.I am making my eye doc this wonderful wonderful cheesecake WISH I could seed all of you one for all the support and just letting me ramble on and on THANKS I will post the recipe it anyone wants it....L & PRuth

Talk is cheap. Use Yahoo! Messenger to make PC-to-Phone calls. Great rates starting at 1¢/min. ~~~~ *** ~~~ *** ~~~ *** ~~~~The Neurosarcoidosis CommunityNS CHAT:- Has been cancelled for now.Message Archives:-http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Neurosarcoidosis/messagesMembers Database:-Listings of locations, phone numbers, and instant messengers.http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Neurosarcoidosis/database