I had my 3 appointment with my NS to talk about my revision surgery. My CSF is blocked from scar tissue from my first surgery in 2001. She wants to do a lumbar puncture to rule out inflammation that could be contributing to my pain symptoms. She said if none is found she is willing to do my surgery. So I have a few questions
First I'd like to know if anyone has had a lumbar puncture and what your experience was with it. I am not so much worried about the pain during the procedure although she told me it was going to be painful. I am really worried about how I'm going to feel afterward. Do you get a headache? Are you dizzy? How long does it take to feel "normal" again? Anyone that has had one I'd really appreciate your imput.
The second is about leg pain. My main complaint at this point is leg pain,weakness and stiffness. I shuffle alot because it's hard to lift my feet. I use a stick to walk when ever I leave the house because the pain and weakness makes my imbalance problems worse. Do any of you have this constant aching and burning pain in your legs? I still have upper body pain in my neck and shoulders and head but it's almost that I am used to those and they don't bother me as much as my legs do. If you had leg pain before your surgery did it get better afterwards? I have to decide whether to go ahead with surgery with no promises from my NS as to what will get better if anything. Has anyone had a revision after many years and felt better? Okay, that's alot of questions. It's just I don't know what is the right answer after meeting with her. Any help would be appreciated.
I had a lp done before my Decompression surgery. I was upset at first because he said he was NOT going to numb the area first. Turns out, it probably would have hurt more to have that many little needles stuck in before it anyway. It wasn't all that bad. It hurt, don't get me wrong, but it was tolerable. There mainly was a feeling of pressure once it was in. I laid on my back for an hour after the procedure and they gave me plenty of caffeine to ward of the headaches. I was a little shakey afterwards but all in all, I felt ok. Weird thing was, later that day, I felt better than I had for months. And that feeling lasted for about a week. Strange, I know. Fear the worst and then it won't be as bad as you thought it would be. That's my way of doing it. Lol. Good luck! I'd take a soda with just in case. Especially for afterwards to prevent a headache :)
Beeba,
Thank you so much! I was shaking just reading your reply. What a weight off. She said they would use the ultra sound but she kept apologizing for having to put me through it so my aready hightened anxiety raised a few notches. I had two babies natural childbirth (one sunny side up wt forceps) in order to avoid the needle in the spin. This was pre diagnosis but I knew I just didn't want anything near my spine. You made me feel so much better. I didn't know what to expect. I hope you are doing better.
Wendy
Beeba said:
I had what I consider my first real panic attack on my way down to the spinal tap - for god sake there is a horror movie named after it. I had an orderly who told the nurses to back off. He brought me down and he refused to leave me so upset. Obviously I loved and appreciated him more than he will ever know. Nurses run the hospital and he told them to BACK OFF!!! I did have it after calming down. It was done with pain meds being put right into my iv and it was done with guided ultra sound. It was nothing. I didn't feel any different after and barely felt the procedure. Moms get epidurals everyday with no problems. You will be fine and it is no where near what you thing. Ask for numbing Elma cream and hour before and request that it be ultra sound guided to reduce any risk. I was beyond terrified(more than over brain surgery!!) and it was nothing and they can make you very comfy just insist on it!! You are the customer - not just a patient.
Nicolee,
Thank you so much for the great advise. I knew someone would have gone through it. I am going to definitly bring something to ward off shakes that's a great idea. You may have felt better because it reduced some of the pressure in your spine. Some of the reading I did on it talked about not taking too much fluid because it might reduce the pressure too much. (paraphrasing not the exact description) So that kind of makes sense. I was really worried about a headache. I already have them I don't need any extra. : ) I really appreciate your help. I'm still shaking from relief. I hope you have a great day and no pain.
Wendy Scott
nicolee said:
I had a lp done before my Decompression surgery. I was upset at first because he said he was NOT going to numb the area first. Turns out, it probably would have hurt more to have that many little needles stuck in before it anyway. It wasn't all that bad. It hurt, don't get me wrong, but it was tolerable. There mainly was a feeling of pressure once it was in. I laid on my back for an hour after the procedure and they gave me plenty of caffeine to ward of the headaches. I was a little shakey afterwards but all in all, I felt ok. Weird thing was, later that day, I felt better than I had for months. And that feeling lasted for about a week. Strange, I know. Fear the worst and then it won't be as bad as you thought it would be. That's my way of doing it. Lol. Good luck! I'd take a soda with just in case. Especially for afterwards to prevent a headache :)