Does a LP hurt? Might have to have one done

Hey Jenny!

No, as far as i know it does't hurt to have an lp. Just pressure and a real need to be still! Yes, very much like the epidural. I've seen posts from many on lp's and the majority of them are positive...easy to get thru...but of course there are those exceptions where for whatever reason the person has some pain. The majority of the probs i have seen here are dealing with the headache that could follow. As they'll tell u, lay flat for several hours (they'll tell u how long) afterwards. There's a thing called a 'Blood Patch" that u can ask for that seems to improve the chances of u not getting that headache. U can ask about it prior to having the lp so (if u'r doc agrees to it) u'll get it done right after the lp and it'll all be part of the same time on the table.

I'm not familiar with Metanx. What is it prescribed for? I do hope it gives u relief and this will all be something 'fixable' for u. "EBV'? Is that Epstein Barr Virus?? Please let us know how the med works for u and how u'r doing. I hope u'r doc appt on the 30th will be revealing and u'll be on the road to recovery very soon. Best wishes to u!

rhonda

Just a clarification: When Rhonda says "reports on LP's have been positive", I THINK she means that people are reporting that the LP didn't hurt, and wasn't so bad after all...not that the results of the LP were "positive", indicating some disease or disorder.

I've never had an epidural, so can't offer a direct comparison.  But here's what happens with an LP: You'll be asked to curl up in the fetal position, to give the doctor (or technician) a tight spine to work with.  You'll feel a needle with the anesthesia (a local anesthesia)...and then when they do the actual lumbar puncture, more a pressure and a "pop" sensation when they enter the spinal column.

So a needle stab, and then a weird sensation should be about all you feel.  The worst (and most common) side effect is a severe headache afterwards, but if you carefully follow your doctor's directions -- usually that you should drink plenty of fluids prior to the procedure, then lie flat afterwards for several hours -- you should be fine.

As Rhonda suggested, if you DO get the headache, it should appear within 24 hours of the procedure.  Don't hesitate to call your doctor and ask for the blood patch: they take blood from your arm, and re-inject it into the spinal cord, near where they drew the spinal fluid. The idea is to get the fluid levels back to near-normal -- the disruption in fluid levels is what causes the headache.  It only takes a few minutes and the headache is immediately relived, so don't hesitate to ask about it.

I hope you find some results and can get treatment for your problems!

I just had an LP done 12/11/06. I, of course, anticipated pain. The numbing meds were injected and I felt a little pressure. Every time the doctor touched me I thought "Here it comes!" But when he finally put the needle in I felt only a little pressure. Be forewarned however that your nerves are floating inside the spinal column. He is putting a needle in and cannot see any of these nerves. You stand a great chance that he will touch one with the needle. That's what happened to me. I suddenly felt as though I had been electrocuted...a current ran down my right leg from my hip to my toes. I said "Ow, ow, ow" and the doctor pulled the needle back a little. Afterwards, while laying on the table, my left butt cheek suddenly went numb. That scared me but I was reassured by the doctor. That numbing medication moves around. Overall I'd say it was no worse than the epidural I had prior to delivery of my son. Try not to scare yourself. Remember the epidural. It wasn't that bad.

Hi, I had an LP a few months ago. Be sure to ask that it be done under fluroscopy so they don't have to poke around on you. I had it that way and felt no pain at all.