- Pregnancy
- Baby & Toddler
- Parents
- Getting Pregnant
- Baby Names
- Product Reviews
-
Registry
- Community
-
More
Want a personalized experience?
Download the free app
Special Needs
st.augbride
member
If your LO had a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) done
st.augbride
member
Can you please tell me about the experience? Ds just had muscle diseases ruled out with a normal muscle ultrasound, thankfully. However, the doc feels that based on his presentation, while unlikely, we should just do an MRI and spinal tap to check for neurotransmitter levels too. I was hoping that this muscle ultrasound would be the last big test, so feel reluctant to pursue these others given that it's highly unlikely we'd find anything. Still, I also know that it's what we need to truly close the door on all the testing. I've heard mixed things about the lumbar puncture and how the experience was for LO despite being sedated. Our doc said they use conscious sedation. If your LO had this procedure, can you please share your experience?
This discussion has been closed.
Re: If your LO had a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) done
They first applied a numbing cream to the area for about 15 minutes. We were not allowed to be in the room, but I watched from the hallway. They sat her up and hunched her over with a nurse holding her in position. The entire process took maybe 10 minutes tops not including the numbing cream. She was 17mos at the time.
It wasn't pleasant. But it did give us some much needed answers at the time, so I tried to focus on that. Other than bruising, she didn't seem to have any discomfort after the procedure. Good luck!
M had two attempted spinal taps but they could never get it in, she received no sedation and it was awful. I literally thought they would call a code blue, because I did not see how she could possibly keep breathing through her hysteria. She was only a couple of months old. Is the conscious sedation what they use for the MRI's as well?
P has always had general anesthesia and sometimes she has a breathing tube. I'm guessing maybe they only use versed..which IMO unless your child responds well too, isn't going to be enough to keep them comfortable.
Ugh, that just sounds horrible : ( I understand how important these tests can be, but when there's >99% chance that it has nothing to do with ds's issues, I just have to wonder if it's worth it. I believe conscious sedation is what they use for the MRI too. Ds has already had 2 surgeries under general anesthesia, so I sure want to avoid more exposure to that too if I can.
DS1 had a lumbar puncture for the exact same reason. He is extremely hypertonic and has been since birth so they wanted to check his neurotrasmitters.
His was done at about 4 months old but because of his extreme hypertonia they did sedate him. The sedation was the worst part. he cannot handle the gas and vomited severely for 24 hours. They made him drink pedialyte afterwards and projectile vomited the 2 ounces everywhere. We literally left with an adult hospital blanket for the ride home, not a towel.
His lower back was sensitive for a few days just like his leg is sore post vaccine. We couldn't give him a bath for 2-3 days just to ensure the puncture was entirely closed.
They also were doing a study on ammonia levels in infant CSF so we agreed to let them check the levels. They also tested the pressure of his CSF. Our testing was inconclusive. If you do choose to get the test done, remember that abnormal results mean nothing. A lot of DS1's metabolic tests have been abnormal. We've spoken with multiple doctors and they've said infants change rapidly. There is no real set range of normal, it's more of an interpretation. They look for a pattern or for a grouping of abnormalities to be indicative of something.
ETA: DS2 had one also in the hospital. He developed a fever of 104 postsurgery and they wanted to do one as a precaution. He was not sedated and it took about 10-15 minutes. He was 3 weeks old.