Anyone Know Anything About Spinal Taps?

Sooo...tomorrow I'm having a spinal tap (lumbar puncture) done...they think it'll help find if there is something wrong with my pregnancy (that may be causing the sudden [and first in many weeks] weight gain and such)...

I'm really scared and stuff -- I don't really know everything that goes on, either -- so I was wondering if anyone knew anything about it?

Thanks,

M

I wish you the very best! ((((((hugs)))))) I really wished I had more info to share and comfort you but I know squat about the procedure. So I'll send up a couple prayers for you and the babies.

((((((hugs))))) sorry i'm not of more help.

Thanks, honey! *hug*

*bump*

It's going to hurt but if the docs need the info to help with your preg then it's worth it. They will make you lay flat on your back for 36 hours till the fluid that they take replenishes and the hole from the needle closed (so you don't leak more fluid). You will have a headache for anywhere from about a week to 5 weeks and a backache for about as long. I had one a few weeks ago and I would love to tell you that it wont hurt and be a breeze but it will hurt. I wish you the best and you'll be in my thoughts.

I don't know much about them. If it helps, My sister in law had to have a spinal tap done during her pregnancy. She had a healthy little girl. Here she is, ain't she cute?

They put a large needle into your spinal column and remove some spinal fluid. It is uncomfortable, no denying that. But not shrieking from the ceiling bad. Like most things, because you don't know what to expect you think it's much worse than it is - during. The headache ranges from a mild sensation to something like a good sinus infection. The information they can get from that fluid is incredible... it's worth it.

Follow their directions exactly and you'll recuperate much faster. Yes, do do have to stay down for a while. DO IT. They used to keep you in the hospital for a couple days to make sure. Now they usually let you go home.

How did it go, Maggie?

I am wondering also ... but she should be horizontal for another day and a half or so ....

Aww, thanks you two for caring! *hug*

I think that was about the scariest and most painful thing that has ever happened to me (sure beats having Gypsy Vanner roll on ya...sadly...), and I don't really know what was going on... hehe

I get test results back in a couple weeks, and no riding for two weeks...which means I'm left with two weeks to ride -- and I doubt I'll fit in the saddle very well, if I can even get up!

I'm off to sleep again...

Love to all!

M

They hurt, but it's not like a 'crack your head open' kind of hurt. They're tinkering around with your spine, so it's more like a nervy kind of pain, like if you eat something really cold, and it hurts one of your teeth.

I never knew about the laying flat on your back thing. When I had mine, they were trying to rule out meningitis. I had to stay in the hospital room for a few hours, but I think that was mostly because they gave me morphine.

I hope you're recouping well!