Lumbar Puncture
 

I am still waiting to have this done and have heard many horror stories. What was your experience like. How much did this cost? Thanks!

If you have an image-guided one done, it's not bad at all. They don't have to keep poking you to get the needle where it should be. The only pain I felt was where they brushed against some nerves at one point which they said is hard to avoid. It was very short-lived pain. Other than that, it wasn't bad at all. It took less time than an MRI.

Cost-wise, not sure. I can see I paid $544 to the hospital, but I think I may have met my deductible on that charge, and didn't pay 100%. I'm pretty sure the bill was over $1000.

I was too fat!!!
 

They had to get a longer needle and start again. I think they were able to use the old hole thankfully. In hindsight the worry was worse than the procedure. Good Luck, Ken in Texas. I paid an upfront reduced co-pay so can't help w/cost.

in order to avoid the headache some people get, dont let them rush you out after the procedure, lay as flat as possible in the car on the way home, lay down flat for many hours when you get home. it wasnt painful to me at all. good luck!

I can't remember the reason
 

but they said to load up on coffee before the procedure. I think it may help w/headaches sometimes associated. If you have time you might ask. Good Luck, Ken in Texas.

i dont remember about coffee but i do remember that you should drink plenty of water and be well hydrated before

It is the caffeine that is useful.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1071660/
This article discusses side effects.

I have a horror story for you. Mine was ordered by the first neuro I saw who ordered all of the expensive testing but did not share results with me. The day after my lumbar puncture, one leg was so weak that I could not walk on it. I called and left messages for the neuro but he couldn't be bothered. I learned on the internet that temporary paralysis can occur and hoped for the best. To this day, I have a weak leg that worsens during flare-ups as a result of my lumbar puncture.

I did not have any pain or problem at all with the lumbar puncture itself. BUT, I did get the headache that some get after it. The place that did it, did have me rest and lay flat for 1 hour after the procedure.
I had to go back and get a blood patch due to the extreme headache. I was told at Mayo (where I had it done) that it was usually women of menstruating age, that were most likely to get the headache. (that was me--yay).
and yes.....it was caffeine tablets that FINALLY got rid of it, that and laying flat.
good luck with the procedure.....as long as you don't end up with the dreaded headache, it isn't bad.