Lumbar Puncture
 

Hey guys -

I have a question about a spinal tap. I see that many of you have had a spinal tap or two with PN. My doc did not do one. What are they looking for when doing a spinal tap? I did have an MRI of my head and he said "it was perfect, no white spots." Is that a definite way to determine I don't have MS. I thought you needed a spinal tap to rule that out...don't get me wrong, I don't want one just to take I've checked it off the list. But if it helps to find out what causes my PN I would certainly have it.

AAUUGGH! I really don't hope I have to have one now...

they really are not that bad at all, just make sure you lay flat after the procedure, dont let them rush you out for at least an hour or two until you feel ok. then after that lay as flat as much as possible for the next few days to avoid the headache. I laid down in the back of an suv on the way home. the procedure itself was not painful at all.

My uncaring neurologist did mine in his office and I had driven myself there that day. I made it home on shakey legs and did not have any trouble other than my spine is crooked and he had a hard time locating the place to insert the needle. Took some time and he graciously (ha) let me lie in the offfice for some time until I felt I could make it out of building. I really was okay after that. To do this he had me hug a pillow so my spine would be bent out. That tired me some but the actual stick was not too bad. I survived okay.