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lumbar puncher
Paparika
Posts: 2,476 Forumite


I am not after medical advice, just advise from those who have had this procedure
I had a second lp yesterday, first one was in December 07, which was in a theater, i was in hospital gown, had a nurse with me whilst the doctor did what he had to do, not a nice procedure but he did it in one go, spot on etc. 4 hours of laying flat on my back and then a few hours later i was allowed home.
Yesterday... had the lp at another hospital, waited 3 hours, because a nurse hadn't told anyone i was there waiting, although i had already booked in at admissions.
Finally a doctor and liaison lady came and found me apologised etc etc, doctor said can you be ready in 5 mins, i said yes i can be, and was taken to a side room in a male ward (not a problem) where i was asked to get on the bed and in position.
This is where i have my doubts, i still had my own clothes on, the room i was in had been open all the time i was there, other ppl had the same procedure (door closed) in the same room, but never saw a cleaner go in after each procedure, the doctor was there with me and no one else in the room, although i had my back to the door and obviously couldn't move to see, someone kept popping in but don't know who.
The doctor took 5 attempts at the lp, tutting and sighing each time it didn't work, by the 4th attempt she asked for the registrar to be called, but then thank god on the 5th attemp it worked and was fine no pain etc, the first 4 were hell it felt like she was poking my kidneys from the inside.
She then needed to take my blood (by this point i am still on the bed but on my back, the arm nearerst to her is not one favoured for blood so she asked me to sit up if i could so she could get my other arm. Then i am told that if i feel ok i could go within 30 mins and she left me alone.
The bed... was raised so she could do this procedure, and was still left up, no side bar was put up for my saftey just in case.. luckily i was able to reach my bag call oh who was sat in the carpark and said come and get me aparently if i feel ok i can go, i had to slide off the bed, found the doctor to confirm i could go and then left.
Is this right... ohh and my spine now looks like a bruised pin cushion.
I had a second lp yesterday, first one was in December 07, which was in a theater, i was in hospital gown, had a nurse with me whilst the doctor did what he had to do, not a nice procedure but he did it in one go, spot on etc. 4 hours of laying flat on my back and then a few hours later i was allowed home.
Yesterday... had the lp at another hospital, waited 3 hours, because a nurse hadn't told anyone i was there waiting, although i had already booked in at admissions.
Finally a doctor and liaison lady came and found me apologised etc etc, doctor said can you be ready in 5 mins, i said yes i can be, and was taken to a side room in a male ward (not a problem) where i was asked to get on the bed and in position.
This is where i have my doubts, i still had my own clothes on, the room i was in had been open all the time i was there, other ppl had the same procedure (door closed) in the same room, but never saw a cleaner go in after each procedure, the doctor was there with me and no one else in the room, although i had my back to the door and obviously couldn't move to see, someone kept popping in but don't know who.
The doctor took 5 attempts at the lp, tutting and sighing each time it didn't work, by the 4th attempt she asked for the registrar to be called, but then thank god on the 5th attemp it worked and was fine no pain etc, the first 4 were hell it felt like she was poking my kidneys from the inside.
She then needed to take my blood (by this point i am still on the bed but on my back, the arm nearerst to her is not one favoured for blood so she asked me to sit up if i could so she could get my other arm. Then i am told that if i feel ok i could go within 30 mins and she left me alone.
The bed... was raised so she could do this procedure, and was still left up, no side bar was put up for my saftey just in case.. luckily i was able to reach my bag call oh who was sat in the carpark and said come and get me aparently if i feel ok i can go, i had to slide off the bed, found the doctor to confirm i could go and then left.
Is this right... ohh and my spine now looks like a bruised pin cushion.
Life is about give and take, if you can't give why should you take?
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Comments
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You're right to be concerned about hygeine because they're harvesting the cerebro-spinal fluid from around the spinal cord (the exact same body of fluid that washes round the brain) and lack of hygeine could have horrendous consequenses.
Unfortunately, junior doctors are often bad at jobs like this, but it's the only way they'll learn so it's a case of pot luck (you probably had someone more senior the first time). Ask your GP to check you over if you're concerned.
It's probably an idea to try to arrange to go back to the first hospital if you need another lumbar puncture - and ask your OH to stay close by next time so he can help reassure you etc.0 -
I thought about going to the gp, but she would just say its because i just had the lp, so will leave it till next weekLife is about give and take, if you can't give why should you take?0
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Hi, I have had a quick look at recommendations for lying flat after LP and it seems that it is now found there is little evidence that lying for 4 hours is of any more benefit than lying for 20-30 mins (this is just having a quick check on various reliable sites I know, I'm a nurse so was interested in the answer myself.) Practices will vary from doctor to doctor and area etc so can appear inconsistent.
Although cleaners may not have gone in the room between each patient it doesn't necessarily mean that the bed/trolley wasnt cleaned etc by a nurse. Thats not to say that it was either, you will never know now, but as a nurse who follows all the relevant precautions myself I would truly not be offended by being asked by a patient if I had washed my hands or cleaned an area. If you feel conscious about this sort of question, I know some people do, you could do it in a jokey way depending on situation.
I agree with myrnahaz about junior doctors sometimes they just need a bit of help as they are learning.
Hope your back heals quickly.0 -
Thanks for that... you are right about the lying flat, i was lucky had no headache, but did you know as well as drinking fluids the new gimmick is drink coffee, was told to drink loads of coffee (addicted anyway so no problem with that)Life is about give and take, if you can't give why should you take?0
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