My Experience

I had a lumbar puncture to test spinal fluid for the presence of blast cells (cancer cells) and to administer chemotherapy. I was brought into the procedure room. Because I’ve had “dry taps” during other lumbar punctures (unsucessful taps), they were doing it in the interventional radiology procedure room (to increase the likelihood of a successful tap).

There was a flat table that is able to remain horizontal or rise vertically. There was also a large X-ray machine. A doctor and a tech performed the procedure. The doctor first looked for an insertion spot by examining my lower spine. After he selected the area, he took a marker and marked the area. I’ve had a lot of lumbar punctures, and depending on the doctor’s preferences, I’ve laid flat on my stomach, in the fetal position or on my side but elevated slightly with the aid of a pillow or foam device.

The doctor numbed the area with Lidocaine, there was a slight pinch followed by a burn, but that quickly faded. A needle was then inserted into the marked area. There is no real pain, though at times a shooting sensation ran down either leg; it wasn’t so much painful as awkward. The doctor asked me to tell him when I felt a shooting pain.

Throughout the procedure, the doctor routinely checked to ensure that he was in the right spot. Once the doctor was confident he was in the right spot, he took out 2 ccs of spinal fluid. (Sometimes during a lumbar puncture, the table has been raised near vertical to allow for the flow of the fluid. The table is then set back to horizontal.) My oncologist then stepped in to inject chemo into the spine. The site was then covered with a band-aid.

The spine is an area of balanced pressure. Due to the removal of spinal fluid that pressure is off so standing or sitting is not recommended for 2 to 4 hours. The doctors told me there are risks of spinal headaches — think migraine but times 10. As long as you stay hydrated and lay flat for the entire recommended time, these spinal headaches are generally avoided.

Other than soreness at the needle site, I felt fine. To recover, I remained flat the entire 4 hours and drank lots of fluids.