posted
Hi!How do they do it?How long does it take?Is it very painful?Any other info appreciated, Thanks,Sue.
Posts: 801 | From Kiama,Australia | Registered: Dec 2002
| IP: Logged |
docdave130
Unregistered
posted
Unforunately you will not like any of my answers but heres the truth. i had 2 done 1 unsucessfully, then 1 in the hospital. make sure it is done by a neurologist that has done many many of these. they are diffcult to get. so make sure you have a trained neuro do it. the procedure starts with local anesthesia to the back area. not to bad. the lumbar puncture is extremely painful and they have you roll up in a ball so that they can open the spine bones to get the puncture. the procedure takes about 5- 10 minutes but feels like hours. then you must lay on your back without moving anything for i think it is 4-6 hours. you should have it done in a hospital outpatient, because if they miss they need a radiologist to track where the needle goes,and this can't be done in an office.
IP: Logged |
rosesisland2000
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2001
posted
If you are searching for LD by doing this, I'd say skip it.
It hurt me like hell. I didn't know at that time that I could've ordered a blood patch and that would've prevented me from having the worse pain I've ever had in my head.
Guess what? They found NOTHING, NADA, Zilch pertaining to LD. I have 3 positive Igenex tests and two were CDC positive.
I will continue to discourge this diagnostic test from happening to people unless they go through it with open eyes and some serious research.
JUST MY OPINION>>>not trying to start something.
I've had a baby without Lamaz and without any sort of pain killers and the headache I got from this was far greater. I wanted to die...
posted
Don't they do these to rule out things like ALS and MS? (I don't know, just what I've heard.) Posts: 67 | From Dutchess Co., NY | Registered: Sep 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
So far I agree with most of the other replies. I've had two. The procedure, I feel wasn't that bad, BUT..I did have the post lumbar headache both times. And yes, it is very, very, painful. I would definately inquire about a blood patch to follow the procedure. It will save you a lot of agony. One of mine showed 7 bands, the last one a few weeks ago was negitive. It does rule out other diseases. If you choose to have the procedure done, good luck with it. I will thinking about you and hoping for the best....Annajade
Posts: 1 | Registered: Oct 2004
| IP: Logged |
beachcomber
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5320
posted
I had one. Iy didn't hurt at all. However, the needle hit the nerve that goes to my bladder and shut it down. I ended up in the ER to have my bladder drained - that hurt.
arg82
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 161
posted
Hey Sue!
I've been wondering how you've been doing but haven't had a chance to e-mail.
As for the LPs, I've had two. The first one was done by my duck neurologist. He had me on steroids to avoid complications with it so obviously it didn't show anything. (This was before I knew much about Lyme.) The second one was done by my then LLMD. That didn't show anything either, except for some bands on the WB.
Also, the first LP left me with a permenant funny feeling in my back where the needle was. It's weird but I'm sure it's related to the LP.
I'd say, if you're trying to find Lyme in the spinal fluid, don't. It's not a reliable way of seeing if you have neuro Lyme.
Why are you thinking you'll need one?
Peace and healing, Annie
------------------ ``The best way out is always through.'' -Robert Frost
Spinal taps are used to help determine if there are autoimmune processes going on - elevated white cell counts can indicate chronic meningitis.
As far as testing for Lyme it can be negative and docs like Dr B do not routinely recommend them.
I had a lumbar puncture done for Dr B to check for Bartonella - it was negative for both that and Lyme (though I do have all the clinical symptoms of both). Other tests were more accurate so the only thing I learned was that I had a form of chronic meningitis.
I think I could have foregone that knowledge as although I laid flat for 1hr after the lumbar puncture hours later I got the most TERRIBLE spinal headache and I could not even lift my head from the pillow to eat as the pain was so bad. It lasted a week too.
I would weigh up if it is worth the risk and how it would help in your diagnosis if you did go ahead.
Just my experience but spinal headaches are quite common afterwards & very painful
BW Emma
Posts: 37 | From Whitehead, Northern Ireland | Registered: Feb 2009
| IP: Logged |
The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations. If you would like to support the Network and the LymeNet system of Web services, please send your donations to:
The
Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey 907 Pebble Creek Court,
Pennington,
NJ08534USA http://www.lymenet.org/
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
Printer-friendly view of this topic