Back to Work Day After LP...

[Sarahsmom46]

...Is it reasonable?  

I am scheduled for my 2nd LP next Wednesday at 1 p.m. EST and am working half day.  I mentioned to my supervisor today that I may not be in the next day, Thursday, and she gave me that look and said that I just got back from vacation and we are short staffed, and ...well, it doesn't matter.  I really don't have a frame of reference for the coming LP as my last LP was done while I was an in-patient and I honestly don't remember how I did the day after.  

Any pearls of wisdom from you all would be most appreciated.  :-)

Julie

[Udkas]

My Dr is now ringing me with my results asap. He said as soon as he gets them all back but because they did some other testing it could take a week or more.  He is still theory of TM or MS.  I didn't think MS was a theory anymore but apparently it is.

I hope for a definate answer but doubt if I will get one but my neuro spent an hour with me just chatting one on one before he did the LP about MS and TM and other neurological things and the accuracy of MRI and I think we talked about everything so at least I feel I understand what he thinks, why he thinks it and where it's all headed. If that makes sense.  I do have a lovely neuro, I think for that I am lucky.
Cheers,
Udkas.

[Sarahsmom46]

Thanks for your comments.

I didn't have a lot of trouble with my first one either except I got ticked off with the doctor for something I don't even remember now, but otherwise it was uneventful.  This time I asked for light sedation.  I'm not sure if they will remember that next when I come in.  Hope so as we don't need to be tortured to ge this precious fluid, now do we?  

When do you think you will hear about your results?  You must be on pins and needles waiting to hear.  But regardless of the results, you still have symptoms that hopefully will be supported and hopefully give you your dx.  

Take care and feel better soon.

Julie

[Udkas]

Hi,
I had a LP on Wednesday and my neuro told me to take 3 days off and I would have needed it because I am still not right and today is 4 days.  Mind you I had one years and years ago and was fine and could have done anything.

This time the Dr had trouble, a lot of trouble and had to change needles and brushed all my nerves, then my bloodpressure went silly.  I had no headache but I feel like I was ran over by a mack truck and it has made me feel now like I am in another flare with numbness etc. in my legs. I found the procedure quite painful and yet time before it was easy peasy.
Good luck,
hope it goes well

[biowham]

Hi, Julie--What everyone else said. Definitely take that day and definitely get your doc's note. Your supervisor would be even more unhappy if you developed the spinal headache and had to take off MORE work for that debilitating problem and to get a blood patch. Why don't you send her a link to what a spinal tap/LP is and what the recovery's like, and maybe she won't give you that "look" any more.

Good luck! Stay flat as LONG AS YOU CAN. I did that--have had two of these--and never got the headache. I was flat literally for two days straight, mainlining caffeine.

Bio

[Sarahsmom46]

Thanks again for the additional suggestions and advice.  I was in for my brain MRI, SSEP, and monthly clinical exam today and we talked about the upcoming LP.  The doctor agreed with all of you saying not to go in the day after and that he'll write a note if I felt I needed one.  I'll need one for sure.  

Janette - your LP headache didn't start until 24 hours after?  Yikes!  I hope I dodge the headache this time like I did last time.  It only lasted a few hours last time.  The "vice grip" description you mentioned is exactly how it felt.  That makes the pain from the puncture seem like a walk in the park.

Poorkid - I will heed your advice about doing what I was told to "head" off the headache.  They said to be well hydrated before and drink caffeine after. I think we all know that by now since so many of us have recently had LPs.  I'm going to be a good girl on this one.

Shelly - They only do LPs on Wednesdays.  This is a research institution and each institute gets a particular day for LP slots. Neurology gets Wednesday afternoons.  I guess I'm stuck with it, but great suggestion.

Doni - I'm going to try to go in on Friday if at all possible.  If I can't handle it, my son (who works in the same building) can take me home.  That way I can show my uncaring supervisor that I made an effort.  

You guys are great.  I now have a plan. Thanks again.

Julie

[doni54]

Hi Julie,

I agree with everyone else, don't try to work the next day and if possible take the 2nd day too.  I'm sure your dr will write an explanation and out of work permission for you.

I hope everything goes good and that you have no problems with your LP or your supervisor!!!

Take care,
doni

[Janette2836]

Julie
Lots of good comments here.  If it were me, I would explain to your supervisor (exactly what the doctor who does the leak patch told me) that the spinal headache can take up to 6 weeks to go away (without the patch).  We are not talking about the normal headache here - mine felt like a vice grip had me as tight as it could but ONLY if I was not laying down.  IF I DID manage to get out of bed I would almost pass out or puke from the pain!  I am sure that your dr will write you a note!  Take care of you
OH - BTW - my headache did not start until 24 hours after the procedure!
Janette

[sllowe]

Oh, one more thing, you can look at it like this.....If you do end up w/the leak - you'll be off work "more than" one day afterward.  Something to think about......

-Shell

[sllowe]

Hi Julie,

I agree w/above.  Please don't go to work the day after the LP.

Is there a chance to change the date of your LP - for a Friday or something?

That is what I did.

I still got the leak, days later, but at least I gave it my best chance not to by laying around on Sat and Sun.

You don't need the stress from work w/taking off more time and it's not good to take a chance w/your body to go back right after.  That's why I suggest the reschedule route if it's possible.

ttys,
Shell

[poorkid]

I went back to work due to staff shortage, the day after the LP.  Big mistake!  
I did end of with the headache and had to work through that too.  I ended up in the ER with a blood patch.

I did not follow any of the rules to avoid the headache and I paid for it.

Please take it easy.  

[Sarahsmom46]

I see your guys' point that going in on Thursday is really not a smart idea no matter how much I know it will inconvenience my supervisor.  I am feeling a little guilty since I have been on 2 recent vacations - very brief vacations with only using one day of vacation time each trip.  I'll use the "if I feel up to it I'll come in on Friday" suggestion.  It is a shame that we have to feel bad about taking time off from work to take care of ourselves and hopefully my next agency will be more understanding.  Thanks again for the advice and suggestions you guys.  

Julie

[Wobbly]

I would take the next day off... you need to take care of yourself and rest...all you need is to get one of those horrible headaches..

please get a note from a Dr if nec... and rest up...I know everyone is different...maybe tell your supervisor...if your feeling fine...then you will try to make it in...??

good luck with the procedure...take care
wobbly
undx

[monotreme]

I think you need at least 24 hours to recover and not go to work. It would be great to have Friday off too.  Would the NIH doctor write you a note?   I feel bad that you have the added stress of an inconsiderate supervisor.

Good Luck Julie!
Elaine

[Lulu54]

Julie,
I intentionally scheduled two days off afterwards based on the wise advice here.  You know I had no problems but I was happy to be able to relax and take it easy and not have to push it.  I could have done with just one day off but that's just my experience.  You probably just have to tell your supervisor you will do your best.....  

L

[risnerrose]

I know everyone is different, but this is how it worked for me:  I had the LP on a
Wednesday, took off Thursday, and was back to teaching on Friday.  If I had it to do over, I would have taken Friday off also.  I didn't have a headache, but my back was so sore by Friday afternoon.  

Sherry