Lumber Puncture

Hi Trudy

What a nightmare you've had .... I've not had lumber puncture, but I am going for Steriod Injections in my back on Wednesday ... it's to root the nerves ... I was told NOT to swim by a doctor before I had my disc removed last year..the disc was bulging, which was pressing on the nerves, and it got so bad, that it started to effect my bowls n bladder, I too couldn't sit down for too long.
Now the 'demon' disc has been removed, I'm on the right road to recovery, I still have a limp, caused by the nerves that were trapped for so long ... hey babe, I seriously think you ought to seek futher medical advise, as I also think this doctor that performed this lumber puncture has messed things up.
Ginger

I am scheduled to have one done in 2 weeks. After researching, I am questioning whether or not I should have it done. I am also scheduled for a closed MRA and I panic at the thought of both. My MRI showed something unusual and they want a better picture. My main complaint is weired headaches on right side of head. HELP please with advise. Scarred to death........

I have just received a similar experience. I collapsed in a post office, taken to hospital unconscious and admitted. My blood pressure was extremely low. 59 over 35 i believe. I awoke confused and exhausted and was given a ct scan. Possible swelling and leakage of blood was later ruled out by neuro surgeons. A lumber puncture was then given. I was prepared for pain but not an electric shock. I expected the pain in my back. I received a severe shock up my lower left leg. Briefly stopping the doctor continued and this happened again but to my right leg. I was extremely upset and the doctor stopped aparently having enough fluid. Since being home I have suffered really bad back ache. I was given a local and anti sickness drugs before the procedure. I repeatedly vomited afterwards and since being home. I was allowed home the same day to receiving the treatment. I was sent home with codeine.

With that blood pressure that low you would be practically dead. If not dead already it must have been 95 over 35 . I have had 4 different lumbar punctures. @ the say day because first needle was too small. not painful just feels like pressure in your back have you ever had an epidurla or a spinal? Feels about the same. As long as you keep you body curled and you spine open you shoud be fine. After the thrid one and different hospital as I got transfered from 1 to another they decided to do it again as they could not fine th results. After that one I passed out in bath roonm my blood pressure was low too it was 96 over 45 and the was admitted to hospital for the next 3 weeks. But that is a whole other story. Now as for the nerve thing, ginger, be well prepared ask and be firm that you want more local if you needed it, it is going to hurt very bad and the more times you get it done the worse it feels. I get nerve burns deep in my neck every 2-3 months and every time it hurts worse than the time beefore but it works some what I get 2 moths of managable pain and am able to things with my family, and friends other wise I am couped up inmy house.
Best of luck remeber if it hurts ask for more do not let them pressure you into dealing with the pain. They usually willnot knock you out because they need you to tell them if they are a in the right spot and that it is not effecting anything else. Good luck dear let me know how it goes will be praying for you both
taykare

Hi,
This is my story. I entered the hospital for elective Microvascular Decompression Surgery to eliminate Trigeminal Neuralgia facial pain. I was preped and under anesthesia. The last thing to do was the lumbar puncture prior to calling the surgeon in to start the actual surgery. Bare in mind that I went to a teaching hospital. The doctors...and I use that term loosely.. made upwards of 15 attempts to establish the LP. They did not use the fluoroscope in any attempt. After the many attempts they aborted the surgery. I was taken to recovery. I had to use the bathroom and the nurse asked if I could walk. I said sure. But, I could not even stand up due to the pain in my lower back and down my legs. I tried three times to stand up then just pushed myself through it. The nurse held onto me while we walked to the bathroom. I had to stop several times both to and from the bathroom. I spent the night in the hospital and my surgeon came in the next day. He said they had to abort the surgery because they could not establish the LP. He said the cause of not establishing the LP could be stenosis but he doubted it. He said the back pain could be a small amount...just a droplet of blood..irritating the nerves and that it would go away. More of the 'team' came in and said I would be fine by Saturday. I went home. By Friday, I was not better, the pain in my back was still the same plus my bowel and bladder functions were dull. We called a friend at the hospital and he said I should go to the emergency room. When I got to the hospital, the 'team' came in again, ordered a really strong narcotic and sent me for an MRI of my back. The 'team' said the reason for the pain is I have stenosis and that I may need emergency surgery to alleviate the pressure. I said, whoa, I have never had back pain or any problems walking ever. Finally the on call neurosurgeon came in, looked at the many many punctures in my back and reviewed the MRI and said "You don't need surgery". He was somewhat taken aback by the number of punctures as well and said according to the MRI and the radiologist that the stenosis was unremarkable or unimpressive. He ordered steroids to reduce imflamation and was going to consult with my surgeon.
Anyway, from what I have described, can anyone tell me what is causing the back pain? I can hardly walk and use a cane. Will this pain go away? How long will it take for me to be normal again? Like I said, I have never ever had back pain. Should I sue?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I was just curious if anyone else has had these symptoms from an lp. I got my third lp done today and everytime i get it done my leg gets a shock down it for about five seconds and then it feels as if I am still getting the lp done for days. It causes alot of back pain. No I am not going to try and take my dr. for all he's got, he was tryin to help me. I am just curious if n e one else has expeirenced this.