Health Care > Son is having a Lumbar Puncture. Can i stay with him ? ( heRelated Photo
Sponsor link
Related Diseases
Son is having a Lumbar Puncture.
He's being sedated, Can i stay with him ?
He terrified of being left alone.
What position will he be in ?
I've had 2 done and I had to be alone in the room. Depending on the set-up of the place you get it down he might be able to see you. The last one I had done I was by myself in the room and a machine was doing it and the doctors were on the other side of a glass watching, I could see them, so maybe if it's set up like that you could be on the other side of the glass so he could at least see you. Go to a place where he lays on his stomach and a machine (or person controlling the machine) goes over the back so they can see what they are poking. Some doctors have you lay on your side with your kness drawn to your chest with you holding your knees (fetal position) DO NOT let them do it in this position. It is twice as painful and since you (the patient) is responsible for holding the position, it's much harder on the patient and complications can arise. I had a lady BOTCH MY SPINAL TAP with me in this position, say whoops the needle wasn't long enough, and send me down the street to another place that (thank God) did it right. I wasn't sedated through either of mine but I wish SO bad that I was. It's lucky that he is. I don't mean to scare you, I just want you to be informed. But about you being in the room, it depends on the clinic and the doctor. If your son is very young, then they'll probably let you, it is very important for him to remain calm during the procedure, he must not move AT ALL! And don't you watch the needle, it won't be pretty for a mom to see, just consentrate on him. Oh I feel for him, and you, and I wish you the best of luck, it's not the most pleasant experiance. It will be OK, God Bless.
Oh and this is SO IMPORTANT. The doctor should tell you this too, so don't worry, but it is very important that you do this after the procedure. He must not move for AT LAEST 48 hours. He needs to lay on his back and be waited on hand and foot. Even to the point that he drink minimal liquids so he doesn't have to get up to go to the bathroom so much. He will have low spinal fluid in his body so he might get a spinal headache. I didn't get one on my first tap, but I did on my second tap. It felt like someone was splitting open my head with an ax and was so painful that my vision blurred and I puked. (Again, sorrey honey but I'm not trying to scare you I just want you to be prepared) These are like a migraine times 5. The less he moves, the less likely he is to get one of these. Your doctor should give you the proper info on this, if he doesn't, ASK HIM.
Again, Good Luck, and be strong!
