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spinal tap questions

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Posted 6/17/2008 2:30 PM (GMT 0)
Hey guys been researching a little and have a few questions.....

1.I am understanding that the spinal tap will only show the ms bands if there has recently been a flare up am I correct? I am still having issues so if this is the case I should be OK but if the symptoms die down before the tap how far out will the bands still show?

my doc forgot to send the order for the bloodwork so I have to have it done before the spinal...I have to call him to send to labcorp...

2.what blood tests are ordered in conjunction with the spinal?

  I am going to the hospital tomorrow but think I will go another time for blood tests as the receptionist said I have to fast... I have to take valium to control the tremors for mri...not a good idea to take those on an empty stomach I suppose....

3.Other things are listed as giving possible ms bands..infections, ensephilitis etc... will it be quite clear with all the blood and then spinal test that it is ms? My issues are complicated with the other condition that I have and I am scared there will be some form of cross reactivity and I end up starting treatment for both...(which may have to be the case anyway)..

any help is greatly appreciated.  I hope the tests can give clear picture of everything in combination...

I numbered my questions as I am trying to learn to keep it short.  I always write a darn book!

Thank you,

Carolyn

 

Posted 6/18/2008 1:02 AM (GMT 0)
Wow these are great questions and I am embarrassed to say that I don't have the answers.  My doctor ordered the lumbar puncture and I had blood work on the same day and I ended up with the MS diagnosis.  I just didn't need to work too hard on that.  I have poked around a bit and it seems that what you are looking for is antibodies in the CSF that is NOT in blood serum.  I have never heard that the O-bands only show up during a flare.  I was pretty "cool" when I had my lumbar puncture and it was pretty clear for me.  I well could be wrong on that though.  I know that the rate of O-bands showing up in MSers is 80 - 90 percent.  Here is a site that might help.

http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Multiple+Sclerosis/Can-you-Diagnose-MS-with-an-LP-that-is-Negative-for-O-bands/show/142?cid=36

 

Posted 6/18/2008 1:59 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Carolyn,
This is probably not helpful, but no the O bands don't always show up. My LP was negative but I do indeed have MS. I had the LP in between two big exacerbations, spaced just 3 months apart, without full recovery in between. So, as is usual in this illness, nothing is 100% and nothing is the same for everyone. My diagnosis is based on symptoms, history and 2 MRIs done during during that period that showed different lesions. The lesions correlated to my symptoms as well. That doesn't address all your questions. Just what I know- Willow
Posted 6/18/2008 2:30 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much guys. Gretchen you saved me! it clearly stated the bloodwork and puncture have to be done same day and the central scheduling were trying to send me to do it on a different day! That would have meant the whole thing would have been a waste of time !! Thank goodness you sent that :)

Usually quite brave but so many have put the fear in me about the test :(  Is it really awful?  Last year I had big screws put in my head for the halo before the radiation and I do not think I was as scared as I am now!! I just want this over and done with.  popping valium tonight per dr to try and minimize tremors tomorrow....cant say I feel any less relaxed or twitchy.  All just too much right now.  Info is so hard to understand when you feel cruddy. Just going to go with the flow I guess....

Thank you again for the help.

Post Edited (carolynvb) : 6/17/2008 8:34:49 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/18/2008 3:08 AM (GMT 0)

Hey Carolyn,

Try not to worry too much.  Just relax and breathe.  It was not fun for sure but it was over very quickly.  For most people, a lumbar puncture is not a big deal at all.  They have very little to no pain and little to no side effects.  For me there was some pain for sure but no lasting effects.  I went home and had a lie down and was fine.  Good luck.

Posted 6/19/2008 11:47 AM (GMT 0)
Carolyn, most folks have no problem and mine wouldn't have been either had I not "leaked" as Willowmom pointed out and on top of that picked up a rogue virus at the hospital to prevent the blood patch. I know now that I leak and in the future will just do the blood patch immediately afterwards to prevents all those days I went thru with that headache and malaise. If you discover the leaking issue, you'll know it and can request the blood patch right away and get it resolved quickly but I've come to accept that this is a normal procedure to followup our progress. And for me, my neuro was awesome, it was painless, it did great until I leaked... my body, my issue. :)

 

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