what happends if you lost spinal fluid by jumping during a spinal tap. My mri shows - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

lronco1 · 10-22-2007, 11:24 PM

what happends if you lose spinal fluid

feelbad · 10-23-2007, 09:12 AM

generally,CSF will eventually replenish itself over time,just like our bodies replenish any blood loss?but losing CSF can cause some pretty horrific headaches for some,at least for a while after.what is your current status right now?what does your MRI actually show?Marcia

SpineAZ · 10-23-2007, 08:28 PM

A little spinal fluid loss is not a problem. It's common for doctors to do spinal taps in which they remove fluid for tests, etc. As long as you don't have any excruciating headaches (which can be a sign of a spinal fluid volume problem) then a little spinal fluid loss is not a major thing. The fluid, much like blood, can replenish itself.

lronco1 · 10-24-2007, 01:34 PM

Thanks for the responses,
Actually, the spinal tap was many years ago. I'm 38yrs. old and have recently been diagnosed with cervical and lumbar spinal stenosis, my spine resembles an 85 yr. old, and I was sure it was due to 2 spinal taps and 2 epiderals, 3 of which I jumped during, 1 losing fluid down my back. I doubt that's the case. Is there a way, non-surgically, to replinish
my fliud and cartilage before this progresses any further. I don't want to take perscription drugs or constantly pay for a physical therapist 3x's a week until I
absolutely have to.
Thanks,
Lauren

SpineAZ · 10-24-2007, 06:16 PM

Stenosis has nothing to do with spinal fluid or cartilage.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is that which they did the spinal tap for. It's a fluid that circulates throughout the central nervous system. The cerebrospinal fluid is located between the brain and skull and has 2 important benefits to the central nervous system

(1) Circulation: CSF delivers nutrients to the structures of the nervous system and removes wastes from the brain and spinal cord, detoxifying the environment of the nervous system
(2) Shock absorption: CSF protects the brain and spinal cord from trauma brought upon by movement, falls, blows, etc.

In addition, epidurals can't cause stenosis either.

Spinal stenosis causes narrowing in the spine. The narrowing can occur at the center of your spine, in the canals branching off your spine and/or between the vertebrae, the bones of the spine. The narrowing puts pressure on your nerves and spinal cord and can cause pain.

It's more likley you simply have the misfortune of developing stenosis early in life. Stenosis has to do with the bone structures and how the openings narrow.

They key now is to find a physician that will discuss the exact location of the stenosis and what can be done to alleviate your symptoms.