Has anyone here ever had a lumbar puncture?

I don't know if that is true or whether she was exaggerating to ensure my niceness.

xpost Matt's correct

(Sorry Penelope, this isn't helping, is it?)

I imagine that this procedure will be like procedures I've had that hurt and sucked but a few days later I couldn't really remember why or what was so bad about it other than it sucked, generally. So don't worry too much!

I think I need to go ask some questions.

No mention how painful it is but they do mention it possible risks and outline the procedure. Sadly no mention of being draped in nurses.

The LP is described as being uncomfortable or painful by patients. Some feel burning, pressure, or stabs of pain down their legs.

Also during this hospital stay I had tests performed which first involved sticking needles (like sewing needles) up and down my legs and then running electric shocks through my legs. That hurt like hell and I was screaming my head off. They wouldn't let my mom in the room with me during the procedure and when we came out she was a crying heap after having to listen to me howl the whole time. yuck.

Oh, and - I had it done to see if I had this condition where too much pressure in your head/spine acts like a brain tumor. My vision was going kind of fast and they had to get the fluid to find out if it was HIGH or what not. Other than the being sick there were no side effects and they found out what they needed to know so I got to start the medication and am now BETTER. So, I guess I have to say THANKS to the spinal tap. I do remember reading the traci lords autobiography while bedridden.

Is the medication you take supposed to reduce the fluid? Are you on it for life?

xpost Thanks Mark, I've four months to make up my mind whether to have it or not.

I feel like this has been way too much info, but I hope it is helpful in some way. Good luck with everything!!

lumbar punctures are done under local anesthetic. with sufficient anesthetic and good technique, most LPs are uncomfortable, but not excruciating. injecting the local is itself somewhat painful (most people find it burns a bit). the lumbar puncture is done with a long, hollow needle that's not especially thick. advancing that needle can be painful, if the ligaments between the vertebrae are tough, or if it hits the spinous processes of the vertebrae instead of passing between them. but most people feel more of a pressure than a pain, and any sharp pain should prompt the doctor to stop and add more local anesthetic.

the goal of an LP is to draw off cerebrospinal fluid from inside the dural sac (the bag of membranes enclosing the spinal cord). the spinal cord stops just below the bottom rib, so the needle is placed lower, between 2 of the lower lumbar vertebrae. you can find the interspace on yourself by drawing a straight line across your back connecting the tops of your hipbones. there's no spinal cord at that level, but there are spinal nerve roots, which if poked give rise to those shooting pains in the legs. this is uncomfortable, but not dangerous. in little kids, the process is a bit more dangerous, because the spinal cord extends down another vertebrae or two, so there's an increased risk of damaging it with the needle.

the doctors will ask you to curve your back and flatten your lumbar spine during the procedure. this helps flatten out the spinous processes of the vertebrae and makes it easier to pass the needle.

the most common side effect is a headache. in a few cases, this is severe, and is blamed on CSF leaking through the hole left by the needle in the dura (membranes). lying down for several hours after the procedure is recommended, and seems to help.

like anything else, some people tolerate them well, and some don't. if you're scared, let people know. they should be talking you through it, anyway. if you really need one done, and can't be talked through it, they may be able to offer you a mild sedative to help take the edge off the anxiety.

good luck with everything.

The process itself isn't very painful, but the transmitted sound of the needle scraping against your spine (which you hear through a weird bone transmission thing) is very disconcerting and you do have to keep very, very still.

I had constant headaches (severe migraine territory) for over a week afterwards, presumably something to to do with the fluid being removed, but I found treating them as a migraine (dark room, lying down, lots of liquid) made it tolerable - although there was about a 48 hour period when I felt like I couldn't get out of bed.

It's not pleasant, and I hope I never have one again, but there are worse procedures out there, I'm sure.

Hey, are you a US medical student? If so, congratulations on matching in neurology--there were only 43 spots offered in the US last year.

They numb the site anyway and I have had worse at the dentists when they put that needle in your gums and it brings tears to your eyes.

My son thought it was ace that I had had a SPINAL TAP!

Its nothing.