Question--has anyone had a spinal tap. I am scheduled to see the neurologist on Thursday. The results from my electro

[debm55]

prop test came back abnormal. I have been waiting for this appointment since July and I am not looking forward to it. Thank you. deb

[getagrip_already]

1. yeah, many decades ago - worst experience of my life....

Felt like I was going to die afterwards. I have never been in that much pain.

Listen to what they tell you about drinking fluids and staying still after. It isn't a joke.

[debm55]

3. Oh no.

[Jack from Charlotte]

36. I had one 5 to 7 years ago. No big deal.

Lots of places I'd rather have been but there wasn't any big pain like sticking a hot shish kebab into my spine. I'm not that brave either and am very squeamish. Didn't your doc tell you what to expect?

Oh and it cost me some co payment but not huge. $80 or $100, maybe. My UHC Medicare Advantage paid the big part of the bill.

[debm55]

39. They called me yesterday for all the paperwork I needed.

[CincyDem]

2. Good luck at the appointment...only advice...

...if he says "we're gonna turn it up to eleven!" run, don't walk away.

[debm55]

4. Why?

[CincyDem]

7. Sorry - a cultural reference to the movie "This is Spinal Tap".

It's a mockumentary about a heavy metal band.

One of the catch phrases from the movie, indicating that no matter how loud it was, they wanted it louder, was "turn it up to 11"...since, at the time, the volume control on all amps was a 0-10 dial.

So...when I think spinal tap, I think turn it up to 11.

Apologies. Sorry to make light of the concerns you've got going into the week. Thought it might be a little lightness.

[Redleg]

11. Damn, you beat me to it.

Good one.

[GreenWave]

13. Bagnell Dam it, you both beat me to it.

Best wishes Deb!

[debm55]

17. I understand. No need to say sorry. I saw the movie too.

[Big Blue Marble]

5. It is not bad as diagnostic tests go.

I had one years ago. The main thing I remember were the headaches afterward.
They lasted a few days when you are sitting or standing. Plan to spend some time
reclining and you will be just fine.

[getagrip_already]

6. Like i said.....

Drink plenty of fluids and get plenty of rest on your back. The headaches come from too little spinal fluid and you need to give your body time to replenish it.

[Big Blue Marble]

10. Yes I remember.

I felt fine as long as I was prone. Stand up and the pressure was intense on top of my head.

[debm55]

12. Thank you. I had 70 of the electro props, on my legs and spine and they hurt like hell. I didn;t cry through. I just

kept counting. and waiting for the shock to stop.

[debm55]

18. Thank you,friend.

[debm55]

14. Thank you.Big Blue Marble.

[Jack from Charlotte]

38. I remember being told headaches were possible afterward.....

I didn't have any. So probably like vax side effects, some do and some don't.

[captain queeg]

8. Not exactly but I've had the steroid shots in the lumbar

I assume that’s similar though they are putting something in rather than taking something out. They’ll give you that jazz about it being “uncomfortable” which it mostly is. But one time the doc hit a nerve and I almost jumped off the table. Just a short burst of pain but probably the worst I’ve ever felt for a few seconds.

[debm55]

15. Thank you captain queeg. I was wondering if they numb it?

[captain queeg]

19. Yeah a local, sort of like Novocain.

[debm55]

27. That's good to know. TY.

[1WorldHope]

35. I had the nerve things happen to me twice. It felt like a bolt of lightening went through me.

I asked for meds before the second one. Same results.
However I have seen many women beg for a spinal during labor. They didn't seem to mind. There are a lot of variables. Good luck. Don't be afraid to ask for something to relax you.

[debm55]

40. Like I said, there were 70 of those electro thing. Person kept yelling at me to relax and it was only going to hurt if

tensed up. Didn't know I was getting it until I walked in room. I was pissed.

[1WorldHope]

44. I understand completely. After the 2nd spinal, an MRI, CT scan, blood work every half hour. No food for 2 days...

The neurologist told me that I probably had MS. The only way to know, he said, is when it hits you again.
He was wrong. I didn't have MS. Although, I was lead to believe I did. It messed me up for 6 months. I studied up on MS like a master's thesis. It never happened again. In the end, I think it was a migraine that messed with an optical Nerve. I felt like I had been tortured. Not water boarded, but, I did feel like I needed to escape. The more people in the room with you on your side the better. I wish you well. Kick ass and take down names. 🙏

[Redleg]

9. No but I saw the movie

I couldn't pass up the opportunity. Probably not in good taste. Anyway, good luck with the procedure.

[debm55]

16. Thank you Redleg. I know the movie--This is spinal tap and I knew I would get some mention to the movie.. It's okay.

[Redleg]

21. You are the nicest person here at DU! Good luck with the procedure.

nt

[bamagal62]

20. I have. Ages ago.

But, I had meningitis and the headache from the meningitis was so bad, I never even noticed the spinal tap!

[debm55]

22. I am so sorry to hear that about the meningitis.

[bamagal62]

24. Thanks! It was a

viral, not bacterial. So, it wasn't as dangerous. BBut, the pain was excruciating. I was in college. In hospital for 2 weeks, if I am remembering correctly.

[debm55]

26. I have a lump on the base of my spine and my legs are numb and keep falling. Mind you I had the first test done in July.

And this is how long it has taken . I am glad you are better. and so very sorry you had to go through all that. Bless you.

[bamagal62]

41. Oh no. I am so sorry

That you have had to wait so long. I am hoping that all goes well and you are better soon. Don’t worry about the spinal tap. It’s better to go through that and get some answers. ❤️🙏🏻❤️

[Raftergirl]

30. Same. Mine was viral also. I was in the hospital 3 days, iirc. This was 29 years ago.

What I was shocked about was the second I mentioned I had an excruciating headache they took me immediately into an exam room and immediately began to do a work up. I think they did a brain scan first and when that came back normal I had the spinal tap, it also took several hours before they knew it was viral and not bacterial. Right after the tap I was moved to a private room in the hospital.

Viral meningitis can be pretty debilitating, but it won’t kill you.

[Fla Dem]

23. Never had one so no 1st hand experience...here's a couple of sources from google with info.

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/lumbar-puncture

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/lumbar-puncture/#:~:text=Side%20effects%20of%20a%20lumbar%20puncture&text=headaches%2C%20which%20can%20last%20for,normally%20nothing%20to%20worry%20about

Good luck, hope the side effects are minor.

[debm55]

25. Thank you, The hardest medical test I had was for infertility, I had a biopsy done with nothing to nom my insides. He

called an tech in who laid across me so I wouldn't move. It was hell. I will look up your links. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for doing it for me. Love, Debbie

[sakabatou]

28. Had it, don't remember it.

[debm55]

31. I hope mine goes that way. TY

[sakabatou]

46. Uh... I don't think you want it to go that way

As I had brain damage. Still do, and I can barely remember the last two or three days in the ICU.

[Abnredleg]

29. I had one several years ago - no big deal

They numbed me and I didn't feels anything. I've also had five epidurals and that wasn't a big deal either.

[debm55]

32. Never had an epidural. I hope all goes well. Thank you.

[ggma]

33. Much respect on the epidurals!

First one was so bad I had my two younger kids natural.

gg

[Abnredleg]

37. The Doc used an X-ray machine

On both the tap and epidurals. This allowed him to precisely guide the needle.

[ggma]

34. No experience here,

But supporting you with good thoughts...

gg

[EmeraldCoaster]

42. hurt less than a shot in the arm.

no adverse side effects.

[Niagara]

43. So far, I haven't had a spinal tap.

I've had an arthrogram done about 20 years ago, if they tell you not to move ...don't move!



Wishing you a speedy procedure and recovery, Debbie!

[ProfessorGAC]

45. Yes. Quite Uneventful, Actually

The neuro who did it had a reputation for being especially good at this.
It was the final step in the MS diagnosis, looking for very specific antibodies & proteins.
I felt nearly nothing. A very slight "pulling" sensation when he was removing the needle.
The hardest part for me was lying flat on my back in the recovery room for 90 minutes.
I've heard about people getting severe headaches from the change in fluid pressure, but that didn't happen to me.
I put the seat all the way back for the ride home, minimal movement for an hour or 2.
My procedure was at 4pm. By 9pm, it was like it never happened.

[Fla Dem]

47. Good luck today, hope all goes well.

[LiberalLoner]

48. I have had a dozen or so, no big deal. Rop

Just make sure you sort of bend over in a good curve, like hunched over, to give them plenty of room.

I would rate a spinal tap or epidural as somewhere between a flu shot and a Novocain dental injection in discomfort. It’s over fast.

The idea of it is way scarier than the reality.

Best of luck and good health to you.