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Original poster

Lumbar puncture

9 replies

reddevil · 12/05/2004 12:54

My MIL (age 72)has been asked to take part in a medical trial which would involve her having a lumbar puncture.She's keen to help as she has narcolepsy and wants to speed up any research into possibles causes/cures but I'm worried about her having a lumbar puncture.
Has anyone one ever had one? Any info/advice gratefully received

OP posts:
noddy5 · 12/05/2004 12:57

I had one when I kept getting headaches about 5 years ago.It is painless but you do have to be able to lie extremely still so not ideal for everyone.Afterwards you lie still for a few hours iirc and then home.

Original poster
reddevil · 12/05/2004 13:00

I thought they could cause headaches? Do you know if it will be more complicated as she has arthritis of the spine?

OP posts:
susanmt · 12/05/2004 14:33

I had one when I was a student and had viral meningitis. It gave me a lot of headaches afterwards - like for weeks and weeks. The actual procedure isn't dangerous and doesn't hurt as such, they give you a local anaesthetic in the skin then its a big needle into your spine to collect the fluid. Like noddy says you have to lie still for a while afterwards (several hours) or the headaches are even worse - I got up too soon which is why I got headaches.

I don't think arthritis would make it any more dificult, as it depends on the space between the vertabrae more than anything else.

Good for her for wanting to help, but I can see why you are worried.

soyabean · 12/05/2004 14:36

Excuse my ignorance, is that the same as a bone marrow test? I may need one next week if blood test results not OK. Have been managing not to worry too much but when I do think about it am getting a little bit worried.

noddy5 · 12/05/2004 14:44

I didn't get a headache afterwards I already had one!No lasting effects though.

susanmt · 12/05/2004 16:59

No, its different from a bone marrow test. A lumbar puncture is a bit like an epidural - they stick a big needle into the space beside the spinal cord and withdraw some of the fluid. A bone marrow test is usually taken from the hip and involves a needle into the bone marrow. I presume you are either anaesthetised, sedated or given hefty painkillers for it.
Hope it all goes OK, well, hope you dont need to have it really!
(spot the medical wife eh!!)

Original poster
reddevil · 12/05/2004 17:09

Thanks for your help.I think she probably will volunteer-just hope it all goes smoothly.

OP posts:
tamum · 12/05/2004 17:12

reddevil, if it's any reassurance, the ethical commitee approval for this sort of thing is very, very rigorous. I'm quite surprised that it's been given the go-ahead to be honest, but they will have to do really detailed consent forms, at least, so I would just suggest that she reads them very carefully, and isn't afraid to change her mind if she reads something she doesn't like the sound of. Hope it goes well for her, she's a brave lady.

soyabean · 13/05/2004 12:47

Susanmt thanks for replying to my question. I was told I would ahev local anaesthetic but somehow managed not to take in a lot of the info I was given....Thanks

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