This is what a lumbar puncture may reveal:

http://peripheralneuropathycenter.uc...ar/index.shtml

Hi Susanne,

It is an invasive procedure, and all invasive procedures carry some inherent risks. (Google: lumbar puncture risks) The biggie (from my experience participating in chronic pain support groups) is (Google: arachnoiditis), but there are others as well. In articles about lumbar puncture, the risk (if mentioned at all) is stated as extremely rare, however in articles about causes of arachnoiditis, lumbar puncture is included right up there with spinal surgery/trauma (because it is a trauma. There is a risk any time the arachnoid mater is disturbed). Of the people I've met with arachnoiditis, about 1/3 got it from multiple surgeries, 1/3 from this procedure, and 1/3 from other causes.

My personal feeling/view is that a spinal tap is one of those tests (like a CAT scan) that I would only submit to if absolutely necessary and there were no other way of determining whatever they're looking for. They wanted to do one on me when I went into the ER for a level 10 headache (the only time I've ever rated pain that high) "IF I wanted one" because they were concerned about meningitis. However I did not present like meningitis (and knew it) so I was able to put them off for an hour while they tried an IM injection, and since the pain began to subside (to a 9) from that, they were able to rule out meningitis and backed off on the spinal tap. It took several more hours to bring the pain level down to where they would release me.

Whenever a doctor mentions a test/procedure followed by, "IF you wanted one" it kind of sets alarm bells off in my head that they're hinting that there could be something they're not telling me -- probably not to elicit undue fear -- but something they're not mentioning anyway. Any time I've pursued it, they've gotten that "uncomfortable" look before evading the question.

I think everyone with chronic spine pain and/or spine issues should read up and be aware of all the various tests & associated risks we may be looking forward to. Some sites (and doctors) do not mention all of the risks (just as they don't with some medications). It's not always easy, but necessary to make truly informed decisions concerning our care & health.

Doc

I have a cousin who has acrachnoiditis after having back surgery quite a few years ago. It is not a pretty picture as she has suffered severely ever since.

http://www.webmd.com/pain-management...-arachnoiditis

Another person married to another cousin had that dye thing done. He died. I would be very wary of any of it.

And the lumber puncture seems to be to find out if a person has an autoimmune disease, etc.