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.
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.
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 …
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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!
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.
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
I hope the waiting isn’t too long. I stink at waiting:)
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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.
Keep yourself healthy. I’m thinking about you and your family.
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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.
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I would imagine the world’s worst headache accompanied it. I’m glad it went relatively well.
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Ooohhh…excuses to lay down! Love those! :) Get better soon (although I hope you are actually laying down and can’t read this note.)
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I am saying prayers for you! God bless you now and always!
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Just the word “spinal tap” makes me all dizzy. Good job.
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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.
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
I like that you take pictures in the middle of all of it. I’d never think of that.
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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.
I hope you get some answers soon, and no more scary needles!
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Glad to hear things went well. Praying you get the answers you are looking for.
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ugh. It’s the waiting that sucks, isn’t it?
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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.
OMG! I’ve totally missed what is going on. I’m so sorry and hope you are feeling better. Off to catch up. :( xoxo
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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!
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.
The 3 tubes of spinal fluid makes me nausious. How much fluid can one person have? Did they take it all? aahhhh!
This is really great. Thanks for sharing some nice heads up!
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You have a lump on your back?!
Please take care of yourself, people… :( Hope you’re doing great now. God bless you.
^ I mean, yourselves.. lol
I’m sorry for you, hope you are feeling ok now!
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I hate needles, you poor thing. Hope you are feeling better soon.
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.
Are you alright now? Have you good the result of ultrasound?
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Are you alright now? Have you good the result of ultrasound?
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.