I got a Lumbar Puncture, also known as a spinal tap, on Friday. It is done on the lower back in the lumbar region.
It was done as an outpatient. I went in, I didn’t even have to change into one of those horrible hospital gowns. They got me to lie on my side with my knees up in like a fetal position.
Then two needles to freeze the area. A lot of figuring out the specific area and then inserting the needle to collect cerebrospinal fluid. I felt that needle. Like a very thin, sharp pain. So… another needle to freeze the area. And try again. It took two more tries and they found the specific area to tap. Honestly, when they are locating the area and pressing on the hip and back- that hurt more than anything because pressing anywhere like that with fibromyalgia sucks. But it is what it is. I can hold still through pretty much anything.
Then it takes like fifteen minutes to collect the fluid. I made a joke that it was like tapping a tree to collect maple syrup. One drip at a time. They kept asking if I was fine. Why wouldn’t I be? I just have a needle in my spine. Totally cool here.
Honestly, I had a lot of worry for this and it wasn’t that bad at all. Once the needle was in I was pretty relaxed and calm. Just waiting for it to be done. The nurse said I must have been relaxed because my blood pressure didn’t change at all from when they checked it before and after. And, yeah, I was pretty chill. It is the worry beforehand that got me. But actually doing it and I am pretty calm.
The reason
I am getting it to rule out MS. My neurologist is sure I don’t have MS. And he knows what he is talking about since he treats a lot of MS patients. But it is pretty inconclusive. And I have had a lot of weird symptoms. Including complete numbness in my arm which could be, as he said, a Hemiplegic migraine. But he decided to do his due diligence and rule out MS completely. And that is all he can do really. I am frustrated about the symptoms but not frustrated with his treatment. I agreed but wasn’t too keen on the idea of getting the lumbar puncture honestly. But otherwise the question of MS would be lingering. And I would rather just knock it off the list really. I honestly have no idea what is going on but eliminating one possibility is a good idea.
After the lumbar puncture
Headache:
As is pretty typical I got a nasty headache because the reduction in fluid around the brain that needs to regenerate. Which is does in 24 hours they said. So drink plenty of fluid. But the headache is still present today. The headache can last up to two days, so I am just trying to keep my fluids high.
I’m pretty used to headaches anyway but it is a nasty one. Didn’t trigger a migraine so there is that.
Back pain
Also pretty typical is to get some back pain. I also bruised a bit at the injection site because I bruise easily. And my back is pretty tender. My feet are tingling but my legs tingle all the time so hard to say if that is from that or not.
But now that it is done I will get results in 10 days or so. And one way or the other know about this issue anyway.
Chronically Nikki 