Lumbar Punctures..advice needed?

[Kylie03]

hi
My Ds2(11 months) had meningitis in june had a lumbar puncture then. Anyways he had another spell in hospital a fortnight ago and they think he has a problem with the production or reabsorption of the cerobral spinal fluid(sp!) so he was booked in today for a lumbar puncture under anaesthetic to measure the pressure.
The surgeon said the pressure was raised and we're waiting for the consultant to get in touch about what to do.
Just wondering if anybody had any experience of this type of lumbar puncture and if you've any idea what they'll do. TIA

anybody??

Sorry Kylie, I don't know anything about this but thinking of you and your DS and bumping for the morning crowd

bump....

bump again...

Sorry Kylie - haven't any experience of this type of lumbar puncture. My DS2 had meningitis when he was 6 months old and had a lumbar puncture at the time. He did need any further ones.
I would imagine that if it thought there is raised pressure a scan of his would be performed to see if there is extra fluid and if so how much. If there is a lot then a small shunt can be inserted which helps it drain. When will you hear from the consultant?

thanks he has two CAT scans and 2 ultrasound scans and they have both shown that there is pockets of fluid. Not sure when i'll hear from the consultant...thought she might have called today but probably just get an appt sent out. Just want to be prepared for anythin she may say.

You could always phone and find out.

i'm not sure where to phone as i don't have a number plus she works between two hospitals. its the not knowing thanks mears

What you can do is phone one of the hospitals the consultant works at and ask switchboard to put you through to their secretary. The secretary will be able to speak to the consultant for you. Patients often phone in. It would not be a problem. Hope you find out something soon.

Update...the consultants secretary called today and i've to take DS2 back to the ward on Monday at 11am...so i'm really worried now bout what we're gonna find out

bumpety bump

The good thing is that you do not have long to wait and the consultant will be able to tell you whether anything needs to be done at all. Make sure you write down all the questions you need answers to. Sorry no-one else seems to have experience that they can share. Let us know how it goes.

there is gonna be a neurosurgeon there tomorro too...so i don't know if thats a good or bad thing.

How did you get on Kylie?

hi well it didn't go too well.they said normal pressure in a baby is 13-16 and his was 30. so they've said he has external hydrocephalus. so he's booked in for an urgent eye test next wednesday to see what the pressure is behind his eyes is. if the pressure is high then he will most likely need a shunt. they said their is too much fluid around his brain and that its not draining away. so i'm now scared and worried. i'm scared if the do they shunt and i'm scared off the risks if they don't.

I'm sorry to hear you didn't get good news. The positive thing is that something can be done about it. Perhaps it would be worth finding a support website for parents with the same worries.

I found this one on google

Kylie03

my little girl has a shunt

feel free to cat me

xxx

Forgot to add, ASBAH is very good