O/T- Lumbar puncture

[FittyFour]

Please excuse such an off topic issue - but this is such a diverse group with so many experiences, I was hoping you can provide me some info and guidance.

I've been battling a health issue for several months with all tests coming up negative. Tomorrow I have yet another MRI which will definitely be followed up with a lumbar puncture within the next week.

Have any of you gone thru an LP procedure? The doc is presenting it as routine but my anxiety level is damn high on this one. Especially since it will be done in his office and not in hospital.

Any info you can provide would be most helpful. I'm afraid I can't avoid the procedure - just want to know what to expect especially post-procedure. Please - only those who have experienced it - I've already Googled and read just about all I can get my eyeballs on...

Thanks in advance!

[Geek_God]

I been involved in a fair patch of LPs. First, I think they are over rated. In the ER we do many things that are much more painful and more risky. It has a bad wrap 'cause sometimes kids don't understand that they have to hold still and so they get some mook like me twisting them into a pretzel in front of a horrified mother. It was traumatic but all the trauma is in the restraining and in the helplessness of the parents.

To shift it a little bit - most women get a similar procedure done during the labor called an epidural block. It isn't exactly the same, but on the receiving side of the needle you would not know. How many women do you hear complaining about the epidural?

The procedure itself is almost never an issue.

The one "issue" that crops up is that a good number (5% as a guess) develop a nasty post-LP headache. A small number of those post tap headaches will need a second procedure called a blood patch to resolve it in a timely fashion.

As to the whole office thingy - there aren't any monitors involved in an LP, nor is any special equipment needed. An in-office spinal tap is considerably less risky than removing wisdom teeth in my opinion. I would have no problem with an office based LP.

I'd say don't worry but life is life and we tend to worry despite higher order thought processes. Mainly, just don't let your imagination go wild. Don't overblow the situation. It is a simple procedure that involves some mild discomfort. That's it.

[obligatory legal disclaimer] Obviously, this isn't medical advice.

[tomdana]

I work with kids so post LP headache is not much of an issue though I reviewed the adult literature and 10 - 30 % of pts experience the headache with women, prior history of headache, and younger age (peak 20 - 40 yrs), having the greatest correlation with risk. The vast majority of headaches are benign and self limiting with the worst being the first 24 hrs after onset of headache. I hope things go well for you. There is a vast amount of knowledge to be gained from the LP analysis. I will keep you in my prayers. Take care.

Also wanted to say these are routine in the office and most commonly easier to do than starting an IV. Relax and take care.

[FittyFour]

Thank you both - you've alleviated quite a bit of my anxiety.

[tomdana]

How did everything go. I hope you are doing well. Take care.

[FittyFour]

How did everything go. I hope you are doing well. Take care.

Thanks for the concern - the LP hasn't been scheduled yet. We were waiting for the results of an MRI from yesterday (my 4th including previous dopplers, CAT scans, and bloodwork) and we may finally have a diagnosis. So hopefully the LP won't be necessary.

The problem was right in front of us all - and the treatment may be simpler than expected.

At least that's what I'm hoping for...

[claycat]

Thats good news

Hope all goes really well for you!

[farsscf]

Glad to hear you may have good news. My wife had to get LP's when she was diagnosed with MS. She didn't have any problems from the LP other than being scared to death of it. Unfortunately she did find out she had MS though.

[FittyFour]

Glad to hear you may have good news. My wife had to get LP's when she was diagnosed with MS. She didn't have any problems from the LP other than being scared to death of it. Unfortunately she did find out she had MS though.

Sorry to hear - I hope she's ok.

That was one of the diagnoses being tested - including myasthenia gravis. But what it looks like and what it's turning out to be are two different pictures.

It's all been very frustrating. But what just keeps coming back to me is how important it is that we be our own best advocate in this situation. I have great faith in the medical system - but sometimes a doctor locks his sights on a particular diagnosis and refuses to consider possible alternatives.

Best to you and your wife.

[farsscf]

Thank you for the kind words. She has had it for about 5 years now and it comes and goes. She has had 3 episodes that were severe. She deals with it pretty well but it is a daily issue. It breaks my heart almost daily, especially when I have to give her the daily injection that makes her cry almost every time. But it by no means is life ending. She copes pretty well. Let us know what they find out and you can pm if you don't want it on the forum.

[farsscf]

It's all been very frustrating. But what just keeps coming back to me is how important it is that we be our own best advocate in this situation. I have great faith in the medical system - but sometimes a doctor locks his sights on a particular diagnosis and refuses to consider possible alternatives.

.

This is very true, I hope anybody being seen for a serious illness educates themselves and is fully involved in finding the real problem. I took my wife to one of the best MS centers up in Atlanta when she was diagnosed to ensure they were right. For a while they kept telling her she just had migraines until the LP.

[tomdana]

Thanks for the update. I will continue to think of you and the others contributing to this thread. It is wonderful to see that illness though it may slow us down cannot take our spirit. It is amazing to see the burdens people carry and many would never know. Take care to all and keep us posted.