Would you have a spinal tap (lumbar puncture) for a research study?

The single most painful experience of my whole life. Never doing that again for any reason. Sorry.

You probably weren't prepped right, and/or probably not enough fluids afterward along with lying prone for a long enough time. LP's are supposed to be virtually painless. It also depends on the TYPE of pain you are speaking of . . . Headache? Back pain? Something else? If the technician nipped a nerve, then they aren't very good. But there are instruments that make sure that doesn't happen these days. People really shouldn't be scared away by stories of extreme pain, since it is quite rare nowadays. I'm sorry to hear you had a bad experience--I can certainly understand your reservations for any future LP's.

-Christopher

I was prepped properly. The first one took over an hour and several numbing injections.
About 5 years later (new state and DR). I was jabbed 18 times and he still could not "get it". Through the tears, I begged him to stop. This Neurologist was famous for always being able to perform these. I was the first one he had to 'give up' on, in his 20 years of doing them. He ordered a stereotopic one, and even that one was called "traumatic", as he still got blood in the sample.
This is NOT as rare as you think!
Susan

My spinal tap was pain free during the actual procedure. However, I did get the spinal headache and had to have the same procedure for the blood patch a few days later, which led to the backpain. It was certainly not pleasant but I would definitely do it again for research. The discomfort was very temporary and if it could lead to a better treatment or a cure it would be well worth it.

Spinal Tap Pain: 1
MS Pain: 11

I refused to have one since one of my worst and practically only lasting symptoms is dizzy spells. I am terribly afraid of something going wrong and having dizzyness forever. I don't take meds because my doctor will only give them if I take a spinal tap to confirm the diagnosis. I have had numbness incidents but not lately. I'm waiting for the blood test which might show a relapse coming on. They have been promising the test for three years now. What ever happened to that? They were doing it in Germany 3-4 years ago.

My LP left me unable to function for a month. My head felt like it weighed a thousand pounds. The pain in my head, neck and back made me throw up each time I stood up or went to the bathroom. (And they told me to drink plenty of fluids to replenish my spinal fluids...yeah, right)I laid flat for over 12 hours afterwards, but it was only the 5th LP the "intern" had done in his life. I sweat profusely and my hands and feet burned afterwards for 3 days. This could have also been from the relapse I was having at the time. The LP was the third prong for my MS diagnosis. So, for that reason alone, it was worth it. I have been suffering for over 15 years with this disease, so finally, I had a name for it and appropriaate medications which have relieved some of my symptoms. Doctors thought it was "all in my head". No joke.... so were the brain plaques. If the research could lead to better meds or a cure, I'd do it again, only if I had a month from work to recover. ~MV

I would do almost anything for research, but not a spinal tap. After I die, tap away. My one & only expereince was a nightmare. The doctor went in FOUR times & hit a nerve twice. Sorry, I am tapped out!

I had a spinal tap a few months ago, which lead to my conclusive diagnosis of MS. For me it was a painful & traumatice experience I wont repeat. The spinal tap itself was quick & painless. It was AFTER the spinal tap that I was incredibly sick & had to have a blood patch. After the blood patch I had horrendous pain in my neck & back. Although the blood patch was necessary, I suspect it greatly aggravated my MS spinal lesions. I couldn't get up for 2 weeks except to crawl on all fours to the bathroom. I talked to my Dad who is a retired Anesthetist & to my new nuerologist, and they both think my bad reaction was due to the size of the needle used. Many neurologist use a large needle becuase it makes their job easier, but it greatly increases potential problems for patients.

I must have been one of the lucky ones because even though I had my lp at the end of a whole day of tests I had no ill effects at all.
I did the mri, eps and finally the lp. then lay still for long enough to drink a litre of water, waited until I needed the loo and (admittedly, against advice) drove myself home.
No headache, no backache but did have to stop for the loo before I finished the 60 miles home. The only thing that bothers me about doing it again is the size of the needle which luckily I didn’t see until the deed was done – I’ve trussed pheasants with smaller!

About 9 people here with a lot of pain, compared to thousands that have had the procedure. I would call that rare occurances.

THOUSANDS??? Where do you see them?
I see that 9 out of 11 people had a BAD experience!!
PERIOD!!

I hope you don't make unfounded assumptions about other matters. OR are you the person that sees ONE overweight person eating like a gluton and ASSUMEs that is why all the other overweight people do the same?
And I surely hope that YOU aren't the one that sees a particular nationality commit a crime and ASSUME that all people of that descent is a criminal! God forbid!!

[This comment thread is almost entirely peripheral to the poll topic. I'd like to see this on a discussion site under a heading that identifies thrust of it, so someone might actually find it that was looking for it. It belongs under "My LP gone bad" not "An LP for research." This new text replaces my own, initial, off-topic comments.]

I am very pain tolerant so I was stunned that the procedure was so painful over such a long period of time. I suppose it was only about 20 minutes but it felt like hours. I nearly fainted several times from the pain. I did follow post-procedure instructions to the letter and had no headache. I was fine the next day. I don't care why my experience was so terrible -- I'm sure there's some logical explanation but I'm never going to subject myself to that degree of pain again. I will never have another spinal tap for any reason.

When I was being evaluated for MS at johns hopkins, the wonderful kind doctor there advised me not to have a spinal tap- telling me it was dangerous, unpleasant and of little value as its inconclusive and you might end up seriosly injured. I had been through enough procedures already, seriously injured by partially trained residents who operated on me without my knowledge and consent. I don't think this spinal procedure should be taken lightly. So my answer is no, I would not let anyone touch my body again.

I have to agree - would NEVER go through that painful experience again. And the neurologist performed the procedure. After a week of headaches, dizziness and nausea I was finally told to go back to the hospital for the blood patch. It was the first time I was told about it. Couldn't understand why they waited so long.

Knowing what I know now I will say NEVER again! I was given one when I was delivering my oldest son, and then when I went before my Doctor he stated to double check my spinal fluid he subscribed a spinal tape, I will add that the Doctor who gave the spinal tape stated " oh shutup it is not hurting you are just being a big baby!" Oh Yes I have seen this Doctor sense the treatment, and told him now I know why I have picked NOT to go back and work as a nurse anymore. I am so tired of Doctors who never learned their bedside manners nor learned what is really going on with the human body. In short would I agaree to a spinal tape again? NO!!!!!!

Jeanne

I have had 2 spinal taps. The procedures were easy and pain free. However, I had severe spinal headaches after each tap, that lasted more than a week each time.

It really can go smoothly. I had a resident who admitted I was her "tenth" LP--that made me a little nervous, but the ER nurse who was with her prepped me well with Ativan and numbing agents, and I got fluids and stayed flat for about two hours afterwards and didn't even have much of a headache--I've had much worse migraines over the years. It was good to get an answer for why I'd gone blind in one eye. I'd certainly try it again for research.

Tough question. I have had 2 and besides being scared to death at the thought of someone putting a needle in my spine it also caused some discomfort, but wasn't too painful. Awful feeling, but not painful. I agree with others that the headaches-ouch! Would have to be REALLY important to do again.

The headache the morning after the spinal tap was bothersome, but the procedure wasn't that bad. I would do more planning, and keep the day after open for recovery.

I would have it done again for research or for any other clinical indication. I had seen one done on a family member and felt less anxious about it because I saw that it could be completely uneventful.

I never had a spinal tap, but my sibling had one to confirm her MS diagnosis. The actual puncture part took far longer than I was told it would take (I waited in the neuro's waiting room until the "lying prone" part of the procedure). The neurologist had a very hard time finding the "landmarks" and finding just the right spot to get the fluid to come out. Just trying to get into the right position and hold it long enough (hunched over with legs crossed on the exam table with head against the wall) was very painful for her. She said it was horrible and would never do it again. I was slightly horrified by my sister's experience, and now I am again horrified by reading of other people's experiences. In the poll I answered that I would consider having a spinal tap for research, but that's easy for me to say, since I never had one. When it was time to confirm my own diagnosis, a spinal tap was recommended, but my lesions on MRI and symptoms, combined with my sister's diagnosis were convincing enough. So no one argued with me when I said I'd rather not have one. But I could have been easily persuaded.

I had two LPs in my ms lifetime and would rather fall on a sword............

Hi, I am new to this and to :posting". The doctors are trying to see if I have ms.I meet the Barkhoff criterion for ms, what ever that means.The lesions are not from stroke or heart attack.I will have to have neck surgery before they can do a spinal tap.I am scared of the spinal tap. I have spent hours reading all I could find and I came up on something that I will tell them I want this way done to me. Please read this and it shows pictures and gives the full name of the doctor. I have made a copy for who ever does my tap and I will tell them I want it done this way. Tell me what all of you think.Here is where you can locate it and it can be printed. http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/Villa/5422/index.html?200810

I forgot to say the name of the topic is " Spinal Headache Prevention Information Home page. I hope this will help others,I think it is worth a try. maggiesue

I would not choose to have another spinal tap. I had one which did help confirm my MS diagnosis. The spinal tap was esstentially uneventful but it was unpleasant, somewhat painful, and took up two days of my time since I did follow the doctor's recomendation to stay in bed the next day (I think it worked because I did not get the headache).

My experience is probably as good as it gets and I would still not do it again unless there was compelling evidence it would benefit me or someone else.

Hello... I had a Spinal Tap about 2 years ago. Had a Blood Patch as well about 3 days after. I am getting sharp pain on my spine right were the needle entered. It is very painful in that specific spot and I mostly feel it when I am bending. Anyone familiar or know how to permanently correct or heal this? Thanks... Kai

Can a person be put out, under anesthesia when having a spinal tap?

Oh no I would not have a spinal tap for a research study. Uwww, terrible to think about it.