Kim Becker {aka MommyKnows}
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Spinal Tap (check)

in General

The spinal tap went remarkably well, it was virtually painless. I was impressed. I’ve had epidurals, so I was pretty sure I knew what to expect. The epidurals were all administered in the throws of labour, so I wasn’t sure if they were painless OR if the pain was just minor in comparison to massive uterine contractions.

I was one of those women who hollered at the anesthesiologist, “forget about the stinkin’ side effects, just shut-up and get the damn needle in my back!”.

WARNING: DO NOT under any circumstances decide to speed up your labour, by turning up the oxytocin rate/dose in the IV drip all by yourself.

I have the world’s 2ND worse backache … it fades when I lay down. BONUS –> I love an excuse to get horizontal.

Spinal tap kit
This is the creepy ‘lumbar puncture kit’ … they took three large tubes of spinal fluid. I was going to get the med-student to take a picture of the procedure, BUT I figured I wasn’t up to seeing my back-fat in photos, AND I like you all way too much to put you through it.

Bloody tests
Just when I thought I was done, they remembered that they needed blood to go along with the spinal fluid. Again not a big deal … I am just kind of sick of the ‘bloody needles’.

Speaking of needles, I am off my MS drugs until my ‘lump’ is diagnosed. I am so happy to go injection free for a while. YIPPEE

My ultra-sound is tomorrow and then it is back to waiting … and waiting …

32 comments… add one

  • Joi May 20, 2009, 8:51 pm

    Well..Good thing you didn’t put up pics of the procedure – for some of us.. Just looking at the kit made me all hot inside..and queezy.. I had to cover the other one up – I am a fainter..yeesh! Glad it wasn’t so bad for you!

  • Dieta May 21, 2009, 2:01 am

    I hope you feel better soon. Also I’m glad everything turned out ok. And I wonder how come the power ranger giveaway story came up as related.

  • Hannah May 21, 2009, 3:14 am

    I’m glad it wasn’t too painful – you are a brave lady! I hope the pain goes away soon … or, at the very least, you get to rest in bed while your family wait on you hand & foot!
    Thinking of you LOTS and lots xx

  • debbie May 21, 2009, 6:02 am

    I hope the waiting isn’t too long. I stink at waiting:)

    debbie’s last blog post..Some Brownies are better than others

  • Niklas May 21, 2009, 7:10 am

    I am really scared of syringes. Thats why I don’t like to be confined in hospital because of it. I try to keep my self healthy and safe for me to avoid sickness. Although it was virtually painless I still don’t like to be stab in my arm.

  • Nikkapotamus May 21, 2009, 7:27 am

    Keep yourself healthy. I’m thinking about you and your family.

    Nikkapotamus’s last blog post..Cake in a Cup *or* Experimental Food Preparation

  • Madeline May 21, 2009, 9:43 am

    What an ordeal. Glad it wasn’t horrifically painful. Although, the world’s worst back ache sounds pretty dang awful. I hope you feel better soon and that you have some peace despite all the waiting.

    Madeline’s last blog post..And, They Keep Growing And Growing And Growing…

  • witchypoo May 21, 2009, 10:05 am

    I would imagine the world’s worst headache accompanied it. I’m glad it went relatively well.

    witchypoo’s last blog post..SB Bed And Breakfast Sort Of

  • Safire May 21, 2009, 1:42 pm

    Ooohhh…excuses to lay down! Love those! :) Get better soon (although I hope you are actually laying down and can’t read this note.)

    Safire’s last blog post..Weird…just weird.

  • Cindi May 21, 2009, 8:20 pm

    I am saying prayers for you! God bless you now and always!
    Cindi

  • Pat Herron@prevent May 21, 2009, 11:08 pm

    Just the word “spinal tap” makes me all dizzy. Good job.

    Pat Herron@prevent’s last blog post..Makura Buckwheat Hull Pillows

  • Deaneh May 22, 2009, 1:22 am

    Good job! You’re right on the warning and this goes to all first time moms. Extreme pains should not be an excused to speed up labor. There are a number of adverse effects of oxytocin that’s why it’s given in calculated doses. Of course, labor pains can only be experienced by pregnant moms and are the only ones to know how it would really feel. That’s why I salute all moms out there as it’s never easy to get through 9 months without intense pains. Hope you stay well.

  • Faraz Ahmed May 22, 2009, 8:44 am

    a needle in the back??? OUCH.. that hurts to even think about.. lol.. but im glad you pulled through and hope you wont have to go through this again

  • jafer May 22, 2009, 2:53 pm

    I like that you take pictures in the middle of all of it. I’d never think of that.

    jafer’s last blog post..Gummie Bears

  • Brian Airsoft May 22, 2009, 4:28 pm

    My wife and I have 3 kids (5,3,almost 2) and on the very first one she got a trainee to administer her epidural. Didn’t go so well.

    So she’s been suffering in (relative) silence about the entire thing for 5 years now when I injured my neck doing yoga and had to take a trip to the chiropractor.

    She got jealous and now she’s going with me and says that she feels a MILLION times better. Dunno if the chiropractor has any place in your situation, but just keep it in the back of your head.

  • Naomi May 22, 2009, 7:29 pm

    I hope you get some answers soon, and no more scary needles!

    Naomi’s last blog post..Thomas the Train Live!

  • Carey May 24, 2009, 5:32 am

    Glad to hear things went well. Praying you get the answers you are looking for.

    Carey’s last blog post..

  • jamie May 26, 2009, 7:41 am

    ugh. It’s the waiting that sucks, isn’t it?

    jamie’s last blog post..Edumacation

  • Marsha May 26, 2009, 11:57 am

    You were very brave. I can’t imagine being stuck with a needle in my back like that. I guess this is why I don’t understand people other than diabetics who want to stick themselves with a needle for pleasure.

  • 180/360 May 27, 2009, 12:00 am

    OMG! I’ve totally missed what is going on. I’m so sorry and hope you are feeling better. Off to catch up. :( xoxo

    180/360’s last blog post..The sum of the parts

  • One Scrappy Gal May 27, 2009, 8:38 am

    I see LPs done on House all the time and it always looks so horrible and painful! I’m glad to hear that isn’t necessarily the case. While it makes me sad to read all that you have had to endure, I’m glad it wasn’t too terrible. Thinking of you and sending positive energies your way!! I want good news all around!

  • Katty June 7, 2009, 8:52 am

    I happened to have a spinal tap done a few months ago. And before the procedure, i asked a few people does it hurt or no and i was told yes it hurts. Later when i got it done what i felt was like someone was tweaking my spine and I could feel it all the way to my skull. The finest way I can put it in words is it felt like my spinal cord was a guitar string, and they went *twang!* with it. I know how odd it sounds, but it’s really an odd pain. Also, I dont know for the sure how much of that was owing to the LP itself, and how much was caused by the headache I had.

  • no fax payday loans June 15, 2009, 12:26 pm

    The 3 tubes of spinal fluid makes me nausious. How much fluid can one person have? Did they take it all? aahhhh!

  • Hanna Lafayette June 15, 2009, 10:32 pm

    This is really great. Thanks for sharing some nice heads up!

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  • Wholesale Printing June 16, 2009, 6:05 pm

    You have a lump on your back?!
    Please take care of yourself, people… :( Hope you’re doing great now. God bless you.

  • Wholesale Printing June 16, 2009, 6:06 pm

    ^ I mean, yourselves.. lol

  • Steve June 29, 2009, 12:30 am

    I’m sorry for you, hope you are feeling ok now!

    Instrumental, Ambient Music

  • Sea Fishing Rods June 29, 2009, 1:10 pm

    I hate needles, you poor thing. Hope you are feeling better soon.

  • Postcard Printing June 29, 2009, 9:54 pm

    It seems really scary but thankfully it isn’t really that painful. Thanks for advising not to take the dosage higher, I will remember that.

  • Ruri July 15, 2009, 12:04 am

    Are you alright now? Have you good the result of ultrasound?

    Ruri’s last blog post..Managing CFD Risks When Trading

  • cheap ed hardy August 4, 2009, 7:37 am

    Are you alright now? Have you good the result of ultrasound?

  • Amy May 23, 2013, 2:11 am

    The needles made me doubt about the “virtually painless” thing. But once in a while, we have to undergo such procedure to ensure out health condition.

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