Follow all pre-procedure and post procedure directions TO THE LETTER!
This is an intro to the procedure? but there is more to it...
http://www.webmd.com/brain/lumbar-puncture And this?
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/lum...ncture/MY00982
Thing is? Most don't tell you to be HYDRATED before the procedure? I would slurp a gatorade pint bottle the day before...just in case...
Next? Once you are done w/the testing? THIS IS IMPORTANT.. get home and go into your bed and sleep! A good nap and intermittent naps afterwards plus hydrations can help minimize any side effects immensely! DO NOT expect to go to work or lift anything over 2 lbs w/o residual pains? So don't do anything for at least a day and a 1/2! Ultimately? You will come out of it feeling as if you've been hit w/a 2"x4"x8' for a couple of days.... After all? This IS an invasive procedure... However? It's often a necessary one to get some PN's diagnosed properly.
About 1 in a 1,000 docs get it wrong in doing you? Just be sure and KNOW that your doc does this OFTEN! Well more than 10 times a year...ASK! Demand!
Mostly a bad headache can result if you move too much after the LP and or don't rest enuf... or at worst it was done wrong. And..? It IS ONE BAD HEADACHE... warm or cool packs and tylenol are usually the only things that can help if it's bad...BUT if that doesn't help? Call the doc that did the procedure ASAP! But try and be concise about the pains/headaches or other problems bugging you. You have to be careful and accurate in describing that additional problem!
Be brave and do it! I for one? Am soo glad I did! Hope and 's !!! - j