How bad does the lumbar puncture hurt?
 

I've had numbness, tingling, swelling and pain in my lower extremities for the past month. For the past couple of years, I have felt pulse in my neck when I look down causing me to be dizzy (didn't really think anything of that). My neurologist ordered an MRI and 4 spinal cord lesions were identified and one possible (but not likely) brain lesion. Due to this as well as my mother having MS, my doctor feels that it is likely that I have MS. He has now ordered a lumbar punture.

I remember having to take my mom to hers 10 years ago. She said it was completely excrutiating. Have there been any medical advances to make this more bearable? What should I expect during and after?

Thanks for everything.

~M~

When I had my LP done in March 08, I didn't find the procedure painful at all.

My neurologist had me covered up, a nurse sat in front of me, neuro behind me, and the neuro did a freezing needle first (that barely hurt), then the LP needle was not bad at all. I didn't feel it, the most I felt was a weird tickle sensation down to my tail bone (I actually laughed at the sensation!).

The important things to remember in having the LP completed are, drink lots of caffeine the day before, day of, and wouldn't be a bad idea the day after. The day of the LP, you will need to remain horizontal for hours after the procedure. Your doctor/neuro will be able to best explain this to you. If you are not working that day, strong suggestion to stay in bed for the entire day of the procedure. Getting up to use the washroom and getting right back in bed. If you are up and get a headache feeling, lie down asap. You should be fine!

Welcome to Neurotalk!

When I had mine...I really didn't feel anything but a mild pressure...but then it could have been the drugs they gave while I was in the hospital. I didn't feel the needle, I felt the fluid being drawn out which was strange. Then pain was very minimal.

Just drink plenty of caffiene, take a couple ot Tylenol extra strength, advil, etc and you will be fine. Just imagine us all there telling the doctor exactly where to stick the needle.:wink:

Bet you won't be worried at all...lol

I know it sounds scary, and I was really scared!

But it was a piece of cake. No pain. No caffeine for me. I did stay in a motel room with my hubby that day so I could lay on my back (we live 2 hours away from clinic).

The idea is to keep your puncture "wound" from leaking spinal fluid afterward. When it leaks, that's when the headache happens. Takes about a day to heal, then you're fine.

I wish you good luck!!!

I wasn't worried, didnt know what could happen, DH drove me home, didn't go to bed, cooked dinner, didn't leak drank water like I always do, no caffeine like usual then. I'm glad I didn't know some had problems. Didn't.

Unfortunately I drink a lot of caffeine anyway. But I didn't find the procedure bad at all. My radiologist did it with fluoroscope, so he knew just where to go.

He was unable to get enough fluid out of the lumbar area without grabbing a ton of nerves, so he asked if he could go ahead and move up to my cervical area (needle goes into spinal area just behind my ear!) Sounds awful, but it was not painful either.

He said docs should order cervical pokes over lumbar for these kinds of tests because it is easier to get the needed fluid. But I think it just would make too many people queasy!

I knew this radiologist, a religious acquaintance that has an outstanding reputation that I requested. I trusted him totally, and he did a super job. I didn't even stay down all day after, went to work the next day with an ibuprofen, and was super!

Not a horrible experience at all!

No pain, no caffeine, no extra fluids, just laid flat for two hours after. It was not a bad experience.

I have had 4 of them, you lay flat afterward and your done. it sounds scarier than it is just breath relax and dont move about, these docs know what they are doing and you might feel a little discomfort, thats about it, you will see after you are done it is scarier sounding then it is, like twink said I was a big chicken about it, and it turned out fine
good luck on the LP

Thank you all for your support. I feel much better. Has anyone ever heard of having the lumbar puncture come back negative for MS even with lesions on the spine? As you can tell, my neurologist isn't really explaining things to me as we go along so I may start shopping around after I get a better idea of the diagnosis.

Misti, I can't comment on that -- I'm still pretty new at this disease.

I just wanted to wish you the best of luck. Being diagnosed with MS can be devastating; however, there are certainly far worse diseases to be diagnosed with.

On the upside, I have really enjoyed the MS community here at NeuroTalk and have met many of my "cyber-friends" face-to-face at various get-togethers.

Depending on where you live, your local MS society may have various activities for free or cheap: my husband and I been river rafting, watched a minor league baseball game/picnic, attended various lectures and spent a couple of free nights at motels. I mean, you don't get all that with a gout diagnosis (which my husband has)! Lol!

Please let us know how it goes for you and what you find out. :hug: