Anyone ever had a spinal tap?

[GON]

Disclosure - not looking for professional/licensed medical professional advice.

Any BITOGERS ever have a spinal tap? Any regrets for agreeing to the spinal tap?

A medical doctor requested I authorize a spinal tap. The doctor states she is a spinal tap master. Mentioned this to my wife, and the wife said no way to authorize a spinal tap.

Trying to gather impartial information.

 

[chemman]

I was present when my wife had one done on her by a resident in Neurology at a university medical center. First puncture was dry in that he could not get any spinal fluid out, so he had to do a second attempt. While he did numb the area using something like lidocaine, it was extremely uncomfortable for her. Afterwards she developed the most horrendous headache she had ever had and it lasted for several days. The procedure was part of multiple lab tests for diagnosing multiple sclerosis.

I unfortunately almost passed out as I watched it being performed on her.

If given a choice between a physician who does an occasional lumbar puncture and a second or third year Neurology resident, I would go with the resident because they do them all the time.

I was told by a neurologist at another university medical center that he prefers the residents do the lumbar punctures because they are more in practice than he is.

Now, if the physician who says she is a spinal tap master, is truly a master, in my opinion she would have to perform the procedure at least once a week to claim that title. I would ask her how often she performs the procedure every month.

 

[drtyler]

It will be painful and may last a few days. Not sure one could regret having the procedure if the data is needed for a diagnosis. If the MD wants one, there is probably a good reason for it.

 

[GaryMX5]

Yes, years ago. I was displaying meningitis symptoms and a spinal tap was needed to rule out the bacterial form. I went to the ER due to high fever, headaches, overall muscle pain, etc.. It was the most painful procedure I have ever gone through. I remember it well after many years. It is not a quick procedure as they prob to find an opening in the spine. There was no local anesthetics for the procedure (at least not back then). Fortunately I had the viral variety and treated with antibiotics while at home.

 

[ripcord]

Thankfully, no. Not even the Meatloaf version.

 

[CorvairGeek]

Worst medical experience of my life. Young resident did it twice as he couldn't get fluid the first time with the revelation "your spine is more like an adult". I was 15 years and 5'10". I had pain for weeks. I had another a year later that was nothing like the first one. After a life of back issues (fused most of cervical and lumbar) I won't let anyone do another if I'm conscious.

 

[GON]

Thanks for the input Gents!

Sorry you had gone through this, your comments and experience do not align with what the DR briefed me on the phone.

I doubt I will do this.

 

[ripcord]

Care to share why you need to consider it? Totally understand if you don't.

 

[GON]

Care to share why you need to consider it? Totally understand if you don't.

A land mine went off next to me in 2002. Medical researchers are requesting a group of us be studied for TBI.

 

[Patman]

No, but coincidentally I just finished watching the original Spinal Tap movie

 

[spasm3]

A land mine went off next to me in 2002. Medical researchers are requesting a group of us be studied for TBI.

I would not have anything like that done, if it was not medically necessary.

It's one thing if it's non invasive imaging, but this is invasive and involves your spine.
You are taking the risk for someone else's research study.

Wonder what @ecotourist thinks.

 

[ripcord]

A land mine went off next to me in 2002. Medical researchers are requesting a group of us be studied for TBI.

I'd say you've been through enough!

 

[Gyro Gearloose]

I had one about 20 years ago because of suspected meningitis. They warned about bad headaches afterwards but I already bad head aches so it was a non issue in my case. They did numb the area they stuck but it was still pretty uncomfortable and you have to be very still while they are working. I'm all for helping support research but that is asking a bit much.

 

[GaryMX5]

A land mine went off next to me in 2002. Medical researchers are requesting a group of us be studied for TBI.

I doubt I would do it purely for research purposes as I'm a coward with regards to (self inflicted or voluntary) pain. If it has to be done to diagnose or properly treat a medical issue then by all means do it.

 

[ecotourist]

I would not have anything like that done, if it was not medically necessary.

It's one thing if it's non invasive imaging, but this is invasive and involves your spine.
You are taking the risk for someone else's research study.

Wonder what @ecotourist thinks.

This is a personal and not a medical professional opinion. And since I'm retired I don't offer medical opinions anyway.

As much as I like to support medical research, I wouldn't let someone do a spinal tap on me for purely research purposes. But then I'm kind of a wuss when I'm at the sharp end of a needle so maybe you shouldn't listen to me.

Interviews - sure, questionnaires - sure, non invasive tests - sure, but invasive procedures - anything beyond a simple blood test, and I'm out.

If I was seriously considering agreeing to the procedure, the questions I would ask are - "Is there any benefit to me? If yes, what is that benefit?" And go from there.

 

[fozzdesy2001]

Yes, years ago. I was displaying meningitis symptoms and a spinal tap was needed to rule out the bacterial form. I went to the ER due to high fever, headaches, overall muscle pain, etc.. It was the most painful procedure I have ever gone through. I remember it well after many years. It is not a quick procedure as they prob to find an opening in the spine. There was no local anesthetics for the procedure (at least not back then). Fortunately I had the viral variety and treated with antibiotics while at home.

I had 2 ordered by neurologists to confirm I had Multiple Sclerosis, and the end of life as I knew it.

 

[Panda87]

A land mine went off next to me in 2002. Medical researchers are requesting a group of us be studied for TBI.

As someone who has been through the same (though mine was a mortar), I’m curious and empathetic. Is this through the VA? They did significant imaging of various kinds throughout my upper body, neck, and skull to determine if there were effects. They didn’t find TBI, which was done to try to identify a physical source of my frequent and crippling migraines I’ve developed, but they did find lung damage from toxic exposure and a collapsing spine (Arthritic due to trauma and shock loading). I’m very surprised they are wanting to spinal tap for a TBI suspicion. I’m unaware of cerebrospinal fluid containing potential markers of a TBI, but I’m not a medical professional.

 

[GON]

As someone who has been through the same (though mine was a mortar), I’m curious and empathetic. Is this through the VA? They did significant imaging of various kinds throughout my upper body, neck, and skull to determine if there were effects. They didn’t find TBI, which was done to try to identify a physical source of my frequent and crippling migraines I’ve developed, but they did find lung damage from toxic exposure and a collapsing spine (Arthritic due to trauma and shock loading). I’m very surprised they are wanting to spinal tap for a TBI suspicion. I’m unaware of cerebrospinal fluid containing potential markers of a TBI, but I’m not a medical professional.

Very sorry for your health situation. Migraines are very brutal, when they are crippling and frequent- that's just beyond horrible.

A study is being conducted on select men from ages 41 through 64 that experienced a blast wave. I am not fluent on the details of the study; I was not reporting any medical issues. The doctor leading the study appears to be at least 77 years of age, as she has a 57-year-old child. To her huge credit, she talks very sharp, no pauses, she is spot on during dialogues. Her interest in me is there are not a large pool of available men over age 60 that meet the strict study criteria, I happen to be someone who a database flagged as potentially eligible, and further completed screening resulted in me still being eligible.

I will talk with my wife but based on feedback from this thread I am unlikely to continue to be a candidate for the study. I do get headaches (not nearly as severe as you), and I don't want to take an unnecessary risk that would trigger an increase in headaches, etc.

Prayers for you.

 

[Panda87]

Very sorry for your health situation. Migraines are very brutal, when they are crippling and frequent- that's just beyond horrible.

A study is being conducted on select men from ages 41 through 64 that experienced a blast wave. I am not fluent on the details of the study; I was not reporting any medical issues. The doctor leading the study appears to be at least 77 years of age, as she has a 57-year-old child. To her huge credit, she talks very sharp, no pauses, she is spot on during dialogues. Her interest in me is there are not a large pool of available men over age 60 that meet the strict study criteria, I happen to be someone who a database flagged as potentially eligible, and further completed screening resulted in me still being eligible.

I will talk with my wife but based on feedback from this thread I am unlikely to continue to be a candidate for the study. I do get headaches (not nearly as severe as you), and I don't want to take an unnecessary risk that would trigger an increase in headaches, etc.

Prayers for you.

I agree with your approach. There aren’t many upsides to participating in that study and more potential unwanted effects. It sounds like she is trying to sell you on it because the research is valuable to her; which I truly understand but wouldn’t jeopardize my own well-being for.

My migraines have improved with my VA neurologist administering a combo anesthetic and steroid injection 2X into the back of my skull to calm my occipital nerves. It’s likely the spinal arthritis (and subsequent shortening of my spine) placing pressure on those nerves and triggering the migraines. I have an emergency abortive medication to try to prevent them from worsening when I notice their onset, but can only take 2 doses per week max. When they are at their worst, my wife has to bathe me as I can’t move any more than climbing into the shower and bracing myself against the wall.

 

[BISCUT]

@GON, some things are better left alone. This may be one for you. Best for you and this decision.

One of my guys assigned to me was a Marine sniper in Iraq for multiple tours. He had some friends who were studied for TBI due to proximity to blasts in Fallujah. Fascinating to learn that the shockwave can enter orifices like the nose and ears and cause damage.