Question:
"randiec" <rcart…@istar.ca> wrote in message
news:0m15fv4kmb4ej4861med8sa0hu2gand72v@4ax.com… > I know this is an old topic here, but I can’t remember what was said. > I am going for a lumbar puncture on Tuesday and I am quite nervous. > I remember reading here that I should drink Mountain Dew before and > after, but I don’t know how much I should be drinking. > If someone could post this again, or any other tips on how to get > through this I would appreciate it
whatever has caffeine in it. I didn’t drink ahead of time, because I was afraid it would make me sick. I did lie still for I think 2 hours after, so it’s best not to have a lot of liquid first. Being still like that on your stomach helps, and my radiologist brought me a big ol’ icy coke, and wouldn’t let me leave until I finished it. I spent the next day lying on the couch drinking coffee, eating coffee bean candy, and generally taking it easy. I did not have one bit of headache. To be honest, I was terrified of the procedure, but I’d rather have one than an MRI any day, now that I know how easy it is! The only sensation I felt was a little burning in my lower abdomen, probably as he pushed the anesthetic in? thing in (it was topically deadened first, of course) I listened to Dean Martin, the doctor chatted with me, and I thought it was a total breeze. The only real discomfort was a little initial stiffness from being in the same position for so long, I was scared to move! But the kinks went away quickly and I heartily recommend dosing with caffeine, whatever kind you like, I’d think. Good luck to you, don’t be nervous. Actually, I think i’d had an Ativan ahead of time, that helped. That, or a Valium. But I’m naturally pretty nervous anyway, making things worse than they really are. It’s not going to be as bad as you might think, I promise!
Response:
"randiec" <rcart…@istar.ca> wrote in message
news:bp47fv86dos0a5a7ql0hgp9lsga7lsdspc@4ax.com… > Hi Guys, > Thanks so much for the info and support. I am having a radiologist do > this. They are going to try and use soemthing so I don’t feel pain, > but some of the other drugs I take might make this an issue.
they made a point of showing me the needle, and it was like a hair. I think they said it’s like 1/10th the size of a blood-drawing needle? Also, no one seems to have mentioned this, but the drawing of the fluid itself with that tiny needle took about 10 minutes or less, and I think he took 5 tubes? It is a very brief test, the worst part is the waiting to get in. Afterward, I just lay there and conked out a bit, flat on my face. Tell the doc giving the test that you are afraid of a spinal headache, and they will take extra care. My test was specifically scheduled for a Thursday instead of a Friday, because they don’t do them on Fridays, in case the patient has any kind of problem, they won’t be stuck. If you do get "the" headache, it can be remedied. And if you feel it coming on at all, just lay back down and it subsides. Don’t schedule anything but rest. I rested a good three days after mine, really. > I will keep the mountain dew close by and hopefully I won’t have to > drink it. I am glad it was mentioned that I might want to rest that > afternoon because no one said I wouldn’t be fine that afternoon. I > had made other plans, and I may cancel them now.
both my doctors, radio and neuro, told me a MANDATORY 24 hour rest. > This is the definitive test for MS for me. I have spent the last year > with this diagnosis and now they think….maybe it is lupus…or maybe > it is MS……or maybe it is a mix of both….
mine had to be done, too. After 5 neg MRIs. The doctor had to talk me into the LP and I’m so glad he did > Wish me luck and a definitive diagnosis
wishing you luck and a diagnosis. the worst is the not knowing. thinking of you — nance
Response:
In this day of the MRI, why do they do an LP? I’ve never had one, thank heavens. Gaylan "white.lynx" <white.l…@telus.net> wrote in message
news:Q0HIa.10241$JH5.1014289@news2.telusplanet.net… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Yes, they apply a local anesthetic so you do not feel the needle. Because > it is done behind you where you cannot see it, you really don’t have any > idea what is going on until it is over. > The theory that I believe, which makes sense to me, is that it is important > that they go through the muscle at an angle with the needle so when they > remove the needle, the muscle closes over the hole not allowing air into the > spinal cord area. I suspect that the headaches that many do experience (and > many do not) are the result of the loss of spinal fluid and the possibility > of air getting in the spinal cord area. When mine was done the fluid was > removed very slowly. The idea of a smaller needle reducing the speed of the > fluid withdrawal makes sense to me. > While I am not sure, I suspect it is not the caffeine in mountain dew, but > something else that helps replace the missing spinal cord fluid. So many > people on this newsgroup have reported success with this that it makes sense > and I don’t see any harm it could cause. > There appeared to be as many or more people (including myself) who have not > had bad experiences with spinal tap as there have been those who reported > significant headaches. Of course if you are one of those with a headache it > does not matter what everybody else experiences. > If I thought it would serve a useful purpose, I would not worry about having > it done again. In many cases it is a final determiner for diagnosis which > can be invaluable when doctors or neurologists completes paperwork for > disability claims or insurance of various types. In many cases it is not > necessary, but depending upon other diagnostic results it certainly can > eliminate any doubt about the diagnosis. If you are not concern with > documentation and neurologists say there’s enough to proof to make a > definitive diagnosis, then it certainly would appear to be optional. > Like everything else, everyone has to decide for themselves what is best. > Good lot and I hope it works out as well for you as it did for me. > Larry > rather than building character, adversity tends to reveal it > written with voice recognition software > <hant…@netins.net> wrote in message
news:bcvbps$jtu$1@ins22.netins.net… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> > Don’t they usually use Novocain to deaden the area? > > Kathy K.
Response:
Gaylan wrote: > In this day of the MRI, why do they do an LP? > I’ve never had one, thank heavens.
Good point. Often they don’t have to but do. The new MacDonald Criteria for diagnosing MS allow MS to be diagnosed in many cases without an MRI: http://www.mult-sclerosis.org/DiagnosticCriteria.html It’s all Poser’s fault for relying so heavily on LPs. A lot of neuros aren’t up-to-date and still use the Poser Criteria: http://www.mult-sclerosis.org/Posercriteria.html Almost all inflammatory conditions of the central nervous system give a positive LP. Take care, Paul All About MS – the latest MS News and Views http://www.mult-sclerosis.org/
Response:
Paul Jones wrote:
Whoops, I meant to say: Often they don’t have to but do. The new MacDonald Criteria for diagnosing MS allow MS to be diagnosed in many cases without an LP: ^^ Take care, Paul All About MS – the latest MS News and Views http://www.mult-sclerosis.org/
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I know this is an old topic here, but I can’t remember what was said. >I am going for a lumbar puncture on Tuesday and I am quite nervous. >I remember reading here that I should drink Mountain Dew before and >after, but I don’t know how much I should be drinking. >If someone could post this again, or any other tips on how to get >through this I would appreciate it >Thanks >Randie
Mountain Dew’s caffeine content is not really any higher than any other soft drink. Popular legend says other wise, but there is only a 2mg. differnce per 10 oz. serving.
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -zenopho…@aol.com (Zenophobix) wrote in message <news:20030626025415.12195.00001841@mb-m04.aol.com>… > >I know this is an old topic here, but I can’t remember what was said. > >I am going for a lumbar puncture on Tuesday and I am quite nervous. > >I remember reading here that I should drink Mountain Dew before and > >after, but I don’t know how much I should be drinking. > >If someone could post this again, or any other tips on how to get > >through this I would appreciate it > >Thanks > >Randie > Mountain Dew’s caffeine content is not really any higher than any other soft > drink. Popular legend says other wise, but there is only a 2mg. differnce per > 10 oz. serving.
hi zeno it’s also thewater, suger and acids (aka; electrolytes) that help as precursors to spinal fluid. beyond that, i’ve personal experience of it’s effectivness as well as many thanks from folks who’ve used ot effectivly over the years. it’s quite likely that there are equally effective alternatives. but given the nature of the tap headache i can’t imagine suggesting an untried alternative no matter what the theoretical basis. in my experiance the pain involved and the remarkable effectvness of the dew in elimimating same means it’s a no brainer. yours empirically ed
Response:
the idea is to drink lots for caffine. It’s supposed to help your body replentish the spinal fluid faster. — Cyberhugs, DianeW It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye. –Antoine de Saint Exup
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