Spinal Tap

[angeliz74]

Has any one had a Spinal Tap? What was you're experience? I will have a Nuclear Medicine on Monday and Tuesday....I am a bit nervous...Would like to know how to prepare...

[DechenDolkar]

I am so glad to hear it went well!!!

[angeliz74]

Thank you all for everything my study was great! Minor discomfort but thank God for the meds... Now just need to wait for the results :)

[linnielou232]

As we said it will be over before you know it.  Having something to relax you and having the assurance they are using an X-ray will definetley help it go faster.  Your in my heart of prayers tomorrow.  
Linda :)

[angeliz74]

They will use an xray for guidance. Oh thank u for all the experiences!
I will post as soon as I am able to.

[angeliz74]

Oh thank u for the heads up... I would probably do the same if I felt good.

[Viva001]

The procedure probably has a lot to do with the skill of the person doing it.  I wasn't scared--even if I was, I wouldn't be able to control the flow.  Apparently I just had a clumsy dr.  Or maybe the low pressure was a sign of Chiari?
A nurse couldn't get an IV line in me pre op too; so it goes sometimes.  But at least she called in another Nurse.

I hope yours goes smoothly!

[wandernwoman]

Yes, there are different kinds/methods of spinal taps. Some use an xray to guide in the needle, so they go exactly where they are supposed to, some don't. My spinal tap was not the worst experience. They gave me a tranquilizer to relax me, but I had a bad side effect to it, so that was really the worst part of the procedure. They had numbed the area where they were actually inserting the needle, so I didn't feel anything. After the spinal tap I did feel very weak and tired for a few days, but I have been told that could also have been from the tranquilizer. The most important thing is to listen to everything they tell you, and keep calm and positive. I will keep you in my thoughts tomorrow.

[missadl]

I had one in june and have to have another in aug. make sure you dr. tells them everything they want because I have to get mine redone due to the fact my GP didn't ask for an opening pressure! Also be sure to drink a lot of water and rest I felt better after my first one so I went out to dinner the next day got a spinal headache and it was the worst I ever felt in my life!

[angeliz74]

Are there different types of doing the procedure??? I'm not sure if mine will b fluoroscopy?? But I've gone thru so much pain after having my surgery for Chiari that I just wish I did not have to go thru any more pain...I thank you for you're encouragement.

[DechenDolkar]

I had a spinal tap done due to an MS attack and I was really scared!!! It is not something I would want to do again, but it really wasn't bad. It was over really quickly and I had myself so upset for nothing. They did mine under fluoroscopy which put me somewhat at ease. I did not know that I had Chiari at the time. Please make sure they aware! Best of luck to you. Just breath and it will be over before you know it!

[angeliz74]

Thank you guys for you're comments really appreciated!

[angeliz74]

Unfortunately I had a reall bad experience from my last child birth never had an epidural with my 4 previous pregnancies and had to have one with my last child... Epidural had to be inserted twice because the first one was not in the right place... Well this mistake has giving so much trouble in my low back since... This is the main reason why I am so scare I was never able to forget what a horrible painful experience I went thru... I'm thankful that I ask my NS to prescribe me something to calm me down... I'm just hoping it will work.

[angeliz74]

Thank u Linda for you're advice will try to do that..

[angeliz74]

Omg I hope this definitely does nt happen to me! I had no idea what was the steps of the procedure until 2 days ago that the hospital call me :/

[jiggle93]

I agree with Linda. When I had mine I went to my happy place. I made myself as still as possible and listened to everything they told me to do. It wasnt pleasant, but its survivable.  I summed it up to having been through epidurals before that I could get through this too....tho, it was a slightly different experience.  My husband watched them do the process and I was quite surprised that he did that, as he passed out during my C-section of our first born.  You'll be fine, just relax and breath. Make sure they give you a surface and pillows to lean over to make you comfortable before starting.
Jiggle

[linnielou232]

Everyone handles things so differently.  I thought it was a breeze, but I had one done after having my 1st surgery to get a drain in my back.  If you have been dx'd with Chairi please be sure the person who is doing the procedure knows that you have Chairi and they know what they are doing.  I always advice people to think of a pleasant place you enjoy and try to focus on that and take deep breaths.  It will be over before you know it.  You will find the more worried you are the longer it will take.  Just try to concentrate on relaxing, and it will be over before you know it.   If you have had a child this is a breeze. LOL....  Wish you the best.
Linda :)

[Viva001]

It was not a pleasant experience; I don't know if the dr was incompetent, or it was something to do w/the undiagnosed Chiari & low pressure.  ??
But she could not get the csf to flow--she had me straining& coughing, then finally tilted the table so that gravity would make it come out.
Meanwhile, it hurt.
I dont want to scare you, but If this happens to you, I would ask to have the table tilted ASAP.  From my understanding, my LP took 3x as long as typical.