Lumbar Puncture 8 Attempts no Success
65V.A. does a # on me!
Russ stayed with me whole time for the Lumbar Puncture at the V.A. He counted over twenty vials of laticane and 8 Lumbar attempts. One into a herniated disk...that was not fun. No spinal fluid in any of the attempts due to waht we told them unteentimes (that is a bunch in Texas vernacular). That I have scoliosis to the left and Deteriorating Disk Disease, with many herniated disk...
So now they 'think' they are going to make another attempt under a fluoroscope in September. (Angy laughs wildly!!!!) We will see.
It was horrible. I am not able to move much as one of the 'attempt' went into a herniated disk in the L4 and L5 space. They tried there 4 times then moved up to the L3 and L4 space tried 2 times there and then YOU guessed it up to the L2 and L3. Russ said ENOUGH. I was sweating so profusely by then they had to put towels to keep my back dry. I did cry out for the herniated disk attempt but that was the only time; and not loud then.
So, for all of you who said Oh! you can do it la la la Here is a big raspberry phssssbbbbb! LOL
I cannot move it hurts so much and my sciatica is like ON FIRE> hopefully it will let up...Please God let it let up!
Oh! we got there at 9:30am, had to re-do my blood work as they had not done the right 'order' for the test...the clotting and all. At 10 am I am waiting, 10:30am the time for the test still waiting...11am we start the procedure, that is to take about 15 min. at 3:30 pm. we are leaving and Home by 6. That is the good ol' V.A.
Russ said the Dr. would pull and pull on the syringe and Nothing...Oh, unless you want to count the disk tissue...
Love everyone, but in a really painful place at the moment and need your prayers and comments.
My V.A. torture story
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Oh cuz my heart goes out to you!!! I know what you are talking about at VA!! I had a dr who wouldn't listen to me at the VA in Bonham for 2 yrs. I went through horrible pain with my hip because she said is was my back!! Finally changed drs and he finally listened and had my hip replacement. I know it must be hard but hang in there and if they aren't doing the right thing let them know or I'm sure Russ will.
I love you cuz
My Goodness! I have NEVER heard of this type of torture taking place. I am so sorry you had to go through this and have nothing to show for it but a lot of terrible pain, bad memories and frustration beyond belief.
Did they think you were making up the fact that fluid would be hard to get due to your pre-existing conditions???? Given the fact that some lumbar punctures don't even confirm MS, why are they so keen to keep trying?
Is this a MS center, btw and did they at least have the decency to tell you how long you will be in agony?
I thought I had just about heard it all when it came to stupidity, but this is something new even for me.
I am sending gentle hugs your way and thanks for updating us. The sooner you put all this out of your memory the better. Unless they can put you to sleep for the next procedure they "think" will work, I'd go for something painless. Must have been so hard for your hubbie to watch all that happening to you. But glad he stuck it out and put an end to it.
Take it easy and thanks for the pics as well.
Jen
I just read up on lumbar punctures and now i know what it is. so what were they looking for . I think I need a brain puncure but I doubt they will find one. my brain that is. Hope you day is good on Monday at the VA..
OUCH - and I thought the 4 times that they stuck me when I had my lumbar puncture was bad! The first time they poked me - I about jumped out the window after that I closed my eyes and tried to float around the room - out of body kinda thing! I've actually gotten better at it the more I've done it!
It helps if you can do this when you're in pain too - just focus your mind on a peaceful place! The mind can do powerful things if you give it a chance!
It took me about a week to recover from it!
I hope you get feeling better soon - here's to the smiles :o)
ladyannoftexas says:
6 months ago
you came to houston? and did not even call me" Oh well . next time
hope you get to feeling better soon.