well i had the spinal tap. floroscopy guided. i was given IV sedation - it was only a Small dose if versed..I think i could have taken a few xanax and had the same affect.

what hurt the most was the "local" he gave me to numb the area. I dont think that is normally done and i can see why...cause that Hurt like hell...

as the "tap" was going on - that part did not hurt at all it just kinda felt weird.

been laying around for 48 hours.. not much of a headache - so that has been pretty good.

...i already had my husband pick up some of the results...
there is a word on there that says "Mononuclear cells" and my Value is 54
I have read that normal value is 0-5 ....so this is not good.

anyone have comments on this...or do u know what your results where..?
my complete results should be ready next week.

Oh and ALSO the Dr. that did the draw say's out loud..."there are particles in your CSF and i have Never seen this before" then he shows me my tube of CSF and says "look, can u see them...it looks like sand"...well i could not see them..i could only see the fluid was very clear...which looked good to me. my eyesight is not that good so i guess could not see the particles. But the Nurse looked and said "Oh ya..I see them".

Oh Boy...!! this does not sound like talk that should have been going on in front of me....but at the time i was laying there ..and just Glad it was over.

anyone have any comments...(i know this is long - sorry)

I have no idea what all that means, other than it's not normal, but I'm just glad it's over for you too.

Let us know what the Neuro says.

thank you Sally....I agree so far it dont look good.

Getting the local pre-lumbar puncture needle for the tap is very normal. In fact, I don't know if they do the tap without doing the local first. I was so thankful, discomfort or not, to have the local first. That spinal tap needle would have hurt like a beast I'm quite certain!

I'm glad to hear you've avoided the spinal headache thus far. You don't want this. Worst headache ever (that I've experienced at least). Had to get an IV and blacked out from the pain. Stupid me didn't listen to the good advice on THIS board, I listened to the nurses at the hospital who said "Oh you can go after 4 hours and go about your day, no problem! Don't need to rest!". Wrong!

At least 8 hours horizontal and lots of fluid/caffeine. Now I know. Lesson learned.

..well thats good to know..! ... I just hope i never have to have one ever again.
Sorry you had the Painful Headache...!
My Back has been in pain since the tap...it is so Sore.!!

Scared to get my complete results in just a few days..!!

Glad to "see" you doing ok. Waiting for the results is hard, but don't speculate on what that team of techs said. It amazes me at their unprofessional behavior.

I don't know how they do the spinal taps differently here but I was never give those precautions even though I was an RN. When I had my first one I went into some kind of hypertensive crisis at work. They took me own to ER in a wheel chair. I neer realized how bumpy a hospital floor is until you are wheeled down it with a sever headache. They eventually did a spinal. The first I have ever had. They told me to go home, drink lots of fluid and use a bedpan during the night. Hah, hah. I have a water bed. How in the wolrd can you use a fracture bedpan while on a water bed. And the other two beds in the house were the free wave water beds. But all went well and we got up the next morning and went to Disney World. I'm sure glad I packed before ai went to work the eve before.

The next time was part of a diagnosis when in the hospital at the time of my diagnosis. I was sent down to xray on a cart but they had me hop off of the cart and walk to bed and I walked to the bathroom whenever I wanted. The third time was an outpatient and they didn't say one thing.

Im glad it turned out well for you. Please keep us posted on results.

i'm glad it's just over.
i had the numbing med too. it's common practice. and yes, it did hurt.

i don't recognize the result you're speaking of. hope your results go well otherwise.

... Thanks everyone...!! My husband will pick up The complete report tomorrow. I am very scared to see the results.... I guess i am looking for the "O-Bands" and anything else that's out of range.! ...

Then i meet with a New Neuro Doc this Thursday... This apt. on thursday will kinda be like a second opinion. The first neuro doc took a look at the MRI and pretty much called it possible MS right away. Now i have the spinal tap results.

I am gonna Need Everyones HELP about Meds...I dont understand if they help...
or if it's a crap shoot..!!???? and I Don't do Shots

thanks
carol