How painful is a spinal tap? - Multiple Sclerosis Message Board

May76 · 02-29-2008, 05:05 AM

Just curious as I've heard both good and bad

MSNik · 02-29-2008, 06:00 AM

In my experience, not painful at all and Ive had two of them. The intial pinching of the numbing agent is all I ever felt and it was over in seconds...however, its all about who does it and how much experince they have in doing taps..
There are thousands of posts here on healthboards if you type Spinal Tap or Lumbar Puncture into the search engine, youll find more info then you ever needed to know! Wishing you luck- it should be fine. Drink a TON of caffeine the day before and after the tap- it will help ward offf the headache..and STAY flat on your back a minimum of 8 hours after wards...getting up and walking around too soon is almost a guaranatee that youll have problems.

niki12 · 02-29-2008, 02:32 PM

I had my spinal tap done December 2007. I agree the numbing agent was the most I felt.. I think my nerves were the worst. Yes make sure you lie still for the 28 hours and plenty of drink. If you have spinal headaches you will have to get a blood patch done. I had to and it was a nightmare. That is the WORST... Very painful... But the spinal tap is a breeze. So good luck and listen to doctors orders.

Rem4 · 02-29-2008, 07:18 PM

Mine was very traumatic, the Nero had to poke me few times until she got it done, she almost wanted to stop and send me to the hospital to do it.
Hope this is helpful

Natalie

Nuthatch · 02-29-2008, 09:15 PM

The spinal tap went great for me. Blood taken from my arm hurts worse. After the spinal tap was when I had problems. I listened to what everyone said - drank plenty of caffeine, laid flat on my back for 6-8 hours, but I still ended up with a wicked headache.

Some people have good luck while others have bad luck, like you said. I believe if you have a history of chronic headaches, this might happen to you. But the overall spinal tap was nothing.