Thoughts on having a lumbar puncture

[ShoreMom]

Here is a brief history;
I went to the Neurologist after my GYN suggested i do so.  I had a Thermal Ablation Hysteroscopy in October 08 and since then I have had varying degress of pain, numbness and burning sensations from my belly button down.  The symptoms started the day after the GYN procedure.  The one sympton that persists continuosly is numbness in my toes and feet.  The Neuro.  I am seeing has sent me for 3 MRI's (Lumbar, Thorasic and Brain) and multiple EMG,SEEP tests. They found one lesion in the Thorasic region on my Spinal cord and a few lesions on my brain. The radiologist and Neurologist are leaning towards a MS diagnosis.

The next step, I am told is a lumbar puncture and I am scared to do it.  They want to rule out infection and abnormal cells (cancer) in the spinal fluid.  I have heard of people having bad experiences after the LP and I am worried.

Thanks for your input. :)

[sllowe]

Hi there,

I responded to your other post before I saw this one.

Good luck to you tomorrow.  And don't worry, even worse case scenario, if you do get the leak afterward that causes the headache, you can get a blood patch, or lie flat for  24 hours.  Lying flat makes your head stop hurting and seals it back up.

I'm a survivor of the leak and that is what I did.

Afterward, no going up steps, or carrying things, etc.  Stay in bed and watch some TV or read a good book for the next couple of days.

Take care,
Shell  
  

[ShoreMom]

I will be thinking of you also.  I hope the LP goes well for both of us. :)

[HVAC]

I am having my first LP Friday so I will be thinking of you. At least they are scheduling you quickly. I have been waiting for mine since February. They were going to do one two years ago and after months of waiting to be scheduled they did not do it. Two years later I am still undiagnosed and untreated with symptoms progressing. It will be fine. I had acupuncture today so I could get more relaxed. I try to distract myself.

[ShoreMom]

Thanks for your input.  I saw an MS specialist in Newark, NJ this past Friday and he said I have CIS Clinically Isolated Syndrome.  He also informed me that I have a 90% chance of developing MS.  
I will have the LP this Wednesday and we will hopefully have more info after that.  The MS specialist wants me to start on Avenox ASAP.  
Do you have any thoughts on this?  I appreciate all your input and help.

[ShoreMom]

Thanks for your support.  I am trying to stay positive.

[truelove47]

Hi,

I Live in pa and went for a routine visit to my ms specialist in Philly,  At the time, I had shingles, and because I had previous breast cancer the neuro was concerned

I went into what a thought was going to be just a visit, to my surprise, he put me in the hospital for an L P   I did not have  time to think of it, but I also was frightened.  

To be perfectly honest, it was not the bad.  It was over fairly quick.  My anxiety was worse than the test.    I guess they were looking for cancer calls also.  Everthing turned out ok for cancer. I am dx'ed for ms                                                Linda

[Heather3418]

Take out the PERIOD at the end of that link..

[ShoreMom]

I tried the link and it did not work for me.  

Thanks
Rosanne

[ShoreMom]

Thanks for making me LOL.

[Janette2836]

I wanted to share something that was shared with me before my LP by a member on this forum & it gave me something to smile about during the procedure!  

"
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."

The actual identity of this person shall remain unsaid  :)

Janette  

[Lulu54]

anyone having anLP for the first time should read the posts that rendean put the link to further up this page.  It is full of information that will help you face your first time fears.  

be well,
Lulu

[rendean]

Glad we could help. Please keep us posted on what the Ms Specialist has to say. Can't believe how fortunate you were to get an appointment so quickly.

Take care and keep us posted!
Rendean

[ShoreMom]

Thank you so very much for the warm, informative responses.  In one day you have given me a higher level of comfort with my pending LP.  Since my post I have made an appointment with an MS specialist here in NJ.  I can luckily see him this week.  My LP is scheduled for next week.  My second opinion with the MS specialist is this week.  I will hopefully have more information and have a even higher level of comfort with the descision to have a LP if the specialist agrees.  Thanks again. :)

[meg321]

I have to repeat that, i went into the hospital so terrified that I thought I was going to drop dead.  They were very and talked me thru the entire process...I felt nothing, no pain no nothing, maybe a sensation but thats all.  They numbed me twice also.  I go to UCSF and the research now shows that the headache is from the hole not healing correctly. I didnt have to lay down for hours at all, i just took it easy that evening.

Since then I have heard all good stories, i think there is more good ones than bad ones.

I hope it goes okay, let us know.

hugs,meg

[deborah0904]

ShoreMom & toadaleh, Glad to see you guys on here.  I've not been here very long but it's a great place to be.  
I'm a big chicken and have had to have 2 LP's.  I was kind of scared on the first one but it was a breeze.  Never was scared on the second one.  I didn't have any problems at all and it wasn't painful.  You'll be fine!!! Just do as the Dr. says.  I'll be praying for you as you go through this and as you wait for the results.

[toadaleh]

I'm pleased I saw your post, I'm having my LP tomorrow.  I am absolutely terrified, even though I know it is quick and the doctor doing it will be experienced.
Everyone keeps asking me if it is the worry of what they might find, but actually it's just the thought of having it done.  After 15 months of tests and no answers, I suppose at least I will hopefully have an answer...

[rendean]

Welcome to the forum! I don't believe I've seen your name on here before. You 've come to the right place for answers. Sorry to hear of your recent troubles.  The forum recently had a long discussion with many posts regarding LPs.  See the following link: http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/773435.
The posts in  this link have many people's experiences. I believe the overall consensus is that the anticipation and fear are worse than the actual procedure.

If you do happen to get the post LP headache, most don't but I did, there is a cure. It's called a blood patch and it stops the headache within a couple of hours. Anyway, it's something you really should consider. My actual procedure was a piece of cake.  Actually, even the blood patch was a piece of cake. Just have it done, drink plenty of fluids and you'll do great.

If you'd like more information that the link above, you can search for other posts on the search  bar on the upper right "Search This Community". Good luck and keep us updated.

Rendean

[Janette2836]

I am sorry that you are going thru all this right now!  It would be good to rule out all other possibilities with the LP.  For my fear of the LP was worse than the LP itself.  Make sure you have some time off from EVERYTHING for a couple of days after the LP.  If you don't end up needing them then that is great.  I was told to lay flat for 24 hours - not even a pillow under my head.  I was only to get up to use the restroom.  Drink lots of fluids - my doctor told me to drink lots of caffeine.  IF you would get the dreaded LP headache, they can do a blood patch where they patch the hole that the spinal fluid is leaking from (inside your body) & it can cure the headache right away.

Please keep us posted on how your LP goes!

Take care,
Janette