Medical Question: Spinal Tap and CT Scan

[becka]

I started thinking last night about what possible "side effects" DH might have from a spinal. I have heard that they are extremely painful procedures and I was curious if his back was going to be in a lot of pain after the procedure as well.

Will he require someone to drive him home? Will he need to stay home the next day or so? Will they need to observe him after the procedure for a long period of time?

Also, I would imagine that a CT scan does not hurt but is it a very long procedure?

I am trying to work everything out logistically so I can be with him. I need to get off of work and I also need to make plans to have DS picked up from daycare. I am hoping to be able to do this myself but that will depend on how long we are at the hospital.

Any info you can provide would be appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[WebmasterAlex]

Here is some info

Spinal Tap

I would say he would definitely want someone to drive him home after that!

Ct scans can take varying amounts of time depending on what they are trying to image but it will be a few hours anyway (mostly before, the actual test isn't that long!)

 

[bumcat]

My oldest daughter has had at least 4 cat scans this year. I think the longest one was 45 minutes.

 

[Dream]

Becka, a spinal tap is not very painful at all. Did you have an epidural with Nathan? Same thing except with your dh they will withdraw a little spinal fluid for testing. Most people are fine afterwards with just a little soreness at the site where the needle was inserted on their back...soreness comparable to a mild bruise. Some do develop a spinal headache but most do not. Your dh will have to lie down for a time after the tap...an hour or two depending on the doc's orders. Alex gave you a great link. He will be better off if you can drive him home. The scan is a piece of cake! Just a little long is all. Thinking of you and your dh!!!

 

[TeresaNJ]

In the hospital where I work, CT scans of the head last virtually a few minutes. They are very easy, painless procedures. The only painful part is waiting for the results. As for the the spinal tap goes, (correct word, lumbar puncture) they also don't take very long, about twenty minutes to a half hour, with most of that time being spent positioning the patient and prepping the area (cleansing, as it is a sterile procedure). It really isn't a very painful procedure. They will numb the area with an injection of lidocaine. The needle they use is very small, hairlike in width. So your DH will feel the pinch of the needle, put won't feel the larger needle inserted in the lumbar space. Once the cannula is in the correct space, it is only a matter of a minute or two until they collect the fluid needed. The problems the majority of patients have is usually due to a headache acquired due to spinal fluid changes, but MOST patients have no problems at all. If your DH does acquire a headache not relieved by medication, there is another procedure he can have done called a blood patch to relieve the headache. That procedure is done by an anesthesiologist, and takes about 20-30 minutes. Again, most people have no problems with having an LP done. Once in a while someone will complain of back pain, but this is very unusual. Try not to worry too much about these two procedures CT scan and LP). They are done many, many times every day, as they are great diagnostic tools. I'll say a prayer for you and your DH that everything turns out fine. Best wishes.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

6yo dd had a ct scan a couple of weeks ago of the neck region. She had with contrast so she had to get an IV and they had to use dye. Wasn't to bad she had to sit still for about 10mins.

I will continue with prayers and good wishes for your family!

 

[honeywolf7]

Dream, I was going to say it sounded almost exactly like an epidural.....Unfortunately, epidurals can be extremely painful but usually they are not.

 

[bekkiz]

I had a spinal tap at age 8, so my memory is probably infused with a bit of trauma, but I remember it as one of the most uncomfortable experiances I've had in terms of medical care (although my two nerve blocks of my arm for wrist surgery were up there). It isn't painful, per se, as other posters have said, the area is numb. However, I felt a huge amount of painful pressure as the fluid was drawn, sort of more down my side. I was then instructed to lay down for two days to prevent the nasty headache that can accompany the procedure. My mom, who was a bit overprotective when it came to health, was very sure I did not bend my neck, which I assume would be what causes the headache. So I watched TV for 2 staright days!
Again, I was 8, I'm sure it won't be as traumatic for your DH! Good luck

 

[grinningghost]

Before I was finally diagnosed with MS, I had a spinal tap and a CT Scan. Spinal taps have very bad reputations, and I get the feeling they got them from people that have never had one. To be perfectly honest, it was a BREEZE. I was so petrified before I went in, I thought I'd pass out. When it was over, I was shocked - I kept waiting for the horrible part, and it never came. I do recall having to lay flat on my back for 3-4 hours when I got home, to reduce the chances of having a ST headache.

CT Scan is also a BREEZE. Just alot of repositioning and holding still.

Trust me, everything will go fine.

 

[Katie]

I do ct scans. I am a Ct technologist. A head Ct takes at the most 5 minutes( actually only takes abour 2 minutes to scan..the rest of the time is getting the patient on and off the table)

A ct scan of his back will take about 10 mintues!


IN and out!!!!

 

[Kitty 34]

I had a spinal tap years ago. Just tell your DH to lay very still so he doesn't get the spinal headache that often times accompanies this procedure.