Next monday i have to get a spinal tap done... What could they be doing that for!


Question: Next monday i have to get a spinal tap done!.!.!. What could they be doing that for!?
And how do they do it!? does it hurt!?!?!?Www@Answer-Health@Com


Answers:
The only time I have had to undergo a "preventative" lumbar puncture (spinal tap) was when meningitis was going around the Uni campus!. A bunch of people had caught it, and because it is highly contagious, whoever presented with severe headaches (even those of us with a history of migraines) had to have a LP done to make sure we didn't have meningitis!. I'm not sure the other reasons it's done, except for relieving intracranial pressure (pressure on the brain)!.

I won't sugar coat my answer, because I loathe it when people do that to me!. Yes, the LP hurt, but in a strange not-the-usual-type-of-pain sort of way!. It felt like someone was tweaking my spine (which I guess they were ::lol::), and I could feel it all the way to the base of my skull!. The best way I can describe it is it felt like my spinal cord was a guitar string, and someone went *twang!* with it!. ::lol:: I know that's an odd description, but it's an odd pain!. Also, I'm not sure how much of that was because of the LP itself, and how much was caused by the headache I had (which was NOT meningitis, Alhamdulillah, it was just a normal, everyday migraine)!.

They had me sit and lean forward, with my back curved, like I was reaching for the floor!. I had to be completely still (trust me, if you have a very open doctor, don't ask him WHY you need to sit still until ~*after*~ o_O)!. I was given Versed beforehand, which made me feel pretty loopy!. ::lol:: It's supposed to cause amnesia (so you do not remember unpleasant procedures) however I think perhaps the dose was not high enough to do this, as it just relaxed me (I still remember the procedure clearly)!. This was good, because really I didn't care that it hurt or felt bizarre!. ^_^ It wore off fairly quickly too, so I was able to return home fairly soon after the LP was done!.

After they had me put on a hospital gown, they had me sit down!. They then administered the Versed and cleaned the area!. They put a square lining thing on my back to mark the area where they were going to do the LP and administered a local anesthetic, and then told me they were beginning!. From the time he inserted the needle, to the time it was done, all in all did not take longer than 10 minutes!. The rest of the time was prep, and before/after exams!.

Afterwards, I had a headache which felt similar to the headaches from stress that I sometimes get, the ones that cause that squeezy-brain feeling!. The doctor said post-LP headaches are common and nothing to worry about!. It wasn't that bad, really!. Even though he sent me home with a small amount of pain medicine, I didn't need it and ended up just tossing it out!. I had Motrin 800mg on hand, and taking the Motrin with NoDoz 200mg (caffeine has always helped my headaches) worked wonders!. I was able to tend to my studies the next day with no problems!.

When my husband had his LP, he had a pretty bad headache afterwards, and he was nauseated as well!. They later told him he had a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak, and gave him the option of undergoing another procedure to fix it, but he refused and it went away in time!.

I hope this has helped!. It is by no means a pleasant experience, but you'll do great!. ^_^ If ~*I*~ survived, and I am the biggest pansy when it comes to pain -^_^-, then you'll be just fine!. Oh, before I forget, one last thing: yes the needle is long, and scary looking!. So if you're like me, and very squeamish about needles, don't insist to see it beforehand!. I think that was half the pain for me right there, seeing the thing and then knowing what they're doing with it!. So just don't ask!. ::lol::

I hope everything turns out okay, and you'll find out you're in perfect health!. You'll be in my prayers!.

::hugs::Www@Answer-Health@Com

A spinal tap is a procedure performed when a doctor needs to look at the cerebrospinal fluid (also known as spinal fluid)!. Spinal tap is also referred to as a lumbar puncture, or LP!.)

I would not worry,sometimes doctors perform many tests to rule out other causes for your symptoms!.Www@Answer-Health@Com

These are really good questions to ask the doctor or nurse before they do it!.
They'll probably have you lay on your side, curled up in the fetal position!. They'll insert a long needle into your spinal column and draw out some fluid!.
I've heard it's not the most comfortable procedure, but it's not exceptionally painful, just odd-feeling!.
If you're scared about it or concerned about pain, you could ask for a mild sedative to calm you down!.Www@Answer-Health@Com

It is uncomfortable, but not incredibly painful!. If you've been suffering from an illness, your cerebrospinal fluid can help rule out a lot of infections, such as meningitis!.

They'll hold your knees up to your chest (to round your back to open up the space) and insert a needle between two of your lumbar vertebrae!.

Mostly it is used to rule out some kinds of infections!.Www@Answer-Health@Com

it depends on what your diagnosis is but a spinal tap is the taking of spinal fluid from your spine and they can test it to find anything wrong with you!. when i had mine they lay you on your side in a fetal position and use a needle to go into your spine to remove some fluid!. no it does not hurt you lay very still and it is painlessWww@Answer-Health@Com

IT IS A LONG NEEDLE, THEY EXTRACT BONE MARROW FOR MANY DIFFERENT REASONS!. YOU SURELY NEED TO ASK YOUR DR!. ABOUT THIS!.Www@Answer-Health@Com





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