Hi all,
The LP yesterday went great. I went in at 8 a.m. and never felt a thing, even when the doctor numbed my back. They used fluoroscopy and it was was so easy. They took five vials of CSF. I think I was on empty when they stopped. I stayed at the hospital in the PCU until noon. I think the blood draw that they did in the recovery area was worse than the LP!
I was flat on my back all day yesterday, drinking lots of Diet Pepsi, and I was getting really restless. I didn't got to work today, just so I could rest a bit more.
I think that either the LP or the stress of anticipating the LP has caused a flare though. I've had that squeezing "hug" feeling since right after the LP. From under my arms, down to the bottom of my rib cage, I am numb and it feels like a giant python is squeezing the breath out of me. I've had this a couple of times before, but this is the worst it's ever been though. I've also got a lot of tingling and numbness and that "pressure' feeling (like I'm wearing a tight headband) over the top of my head and down the right side of my face. I've had this sensation frequently before too, but it's more intense and constant and has lasted for over 24 hours now.
I called the MS specialist last night and told her what was going on. I told her I'd had this squeezing hug feeling a few times over the past month, but that this time it was a larger area and has lasted longer. She said if the rib squeezing feeling gets to where I can't breath, for me to go to the ER. She didn't have my chart there, and she asked me if I had a lesion on my thoracic spine. I told her no, that all of my MRIs were clear, and she said that imaging of the thoracic spine is difficult and often lesions can be there, but not be seen. She asked me to call her office today and let them know how I am doing.
Anyway, after all that, my question is, could the LP have caused me to have a flare (if this is MS)? I did have really bad leg and arm cramps and spasms Monday night, worse than I've had for the past month. Or maybe it was just the stress of anticipating the LP that caused this.
Thanks and hugs,
Lisa