Spinal Tap question

[gothicrosie]

I have been thinking about various issues I have had over the years before my first attack and official diagnosis of MS.

I have had headaches since I was a teenager. My first migraine was when I was about 18. My first lumbar puncture was around when I was 30ish...can't remember the first time but it was migraine related. A super duper killer migraine sent me to the ER and they LP'd me because they wanted to rule out meningitis.

I was LP'd one more times after that for another serious migraine that also sent me to the ER.

The first one created a terrible LP headache that lasted about 1.5 weeks. I was in a hospital room for a few of those days.

Plus my epidural for my baby, the neural pain blocks for lower back bulging discs, and the LP after my first MS attack...I have had 3 LPs, a pregnancy epidural, a spinal nerve block = 5 spinal taps.

Anyways, I am wondering if my various punctures into my spinal cord were, um, bad and potentially a link to my MS...just a thought.

So, anyone, how many punctures have you had?

[jimmylegs]

hey there rosie, i've only had the one and it was done to confirm the neuro's already quite certain dx of ms.

[daniel]

this is a bit late...but did spinal taps/lumber punctures ever trigger a relapse for anybody here? I had my first relapse for the past 4+years after a massive headache recently followed by a trip to the ER, LP and a LP headache for 1 1/2 weeks followed closely by the relapse that kicked into full affect about a week after that....

[centenarian100]

epidural anaesthesia has been specifically studied and does not change the prognosis of multiple sclerosis. I am not aware of any specific study on spinal taps, but the needle does not go near the central nervous system, so I don't see why it should be any more deleterious than say an IV

-C