Got it done - Dr. Slavin's Protocol
Posted: Sun Dec 20, 2009 1:03 pm
Dec 17th, Athens, Greece, Dr. Slavin's protocol.
50.7 x 10^6 (50,700,000) cells injected into my spine and bloodstream.
I'd never had an LP before, and didn't know what to expect. It was painful not just because of the intensity of the pain (though that wasn't exactly mild), but also because of the location of the sensation. Not just strange.
Lying for 3 hours in a prone position with my feet raised and head lowered was uncomfortable, but not too bad.
The rest of the day and night lying flat, and not so much as raising my head, sucked; but again, tolerable. My head started to ache, as expected, but I had advil extra strength liqui-gels with me, and that lessened the intensity of it. I got nauseous, and eventually puked. I felt right better after that, though. The nurses gave me anti-nausea drugs after that, but I don't think it was necessary.
I slept well, eventually. I woke up, and the nurses eventually let me stand up and go to the bathroom (so much better than the bottle!!!), and I spent the rest of the time at the hospital sitting up, and reveling it, if I wasn't standing.
I was released later. They called me a cab, and I went back to my hotel.
Throughout the 18th, I kept taking advil every 4 hours (more than the bottle recommends in a day, technically). My neck was sore and stiff all day, and my headache never completely went away, but it was all tolerable with the advil.
The 19th my headache was gone. My neck was still sore, but less so. I only took advil once. I went to museums, and for walks, and out to dinner.
By today (the 20th) the only pain was in my neck, when I would duck in and out of the door of the rental car. Otherwise I was in perfect condition (or as perfect as I can be, with my MS symptoms).
Now, I am young (27) and my symptoms aren't serious yet; Dr. Slavin said I am his first MS patient with such minor symptoms and he's excited to see how that will turn out. Maybe that has something to do with why I had such an amazingly easy time. I was very lucky.
I am not comfortable talking about other people's side effects, but I will say that the other two who had the procedure done just before me, and with whom I shared a room, had a much harder time of things. They were both brave about it, but they were in more pain (as well as other side effects) and I expect it lasted longer.
For those who aren't familiar yet - there are no reliable results to be reported for 6 weeks at least.
I'll gladly answer any questions anyone has in the meantime, and in 6 weeks I'll start discussing changes.
EDIT: I can't believe that I didn't mention this before, but my parents were with me, and I am VERY grateful for their being there. Anyone who is going should ABSOLUTELY NOT go alone. I was trying to be factual, but I left out all the little things they did for me... Don't bring just anyone, either. Bring someone who you can be embarrassed in front of. At the very least for the day of the procedure itself you will need to forget your pride.
50.7 x 10^6 (50,700,000) cells injected into my spine and bloodstream.
I'd never had an LP before, and didn't know what to expect. It was painful not just because of the intensity of the pain (though that wasn't exactly mild), but also because of the location of the sensation. Not just strange.
Lying for 3 hours in a prone position with my feet raised and head lowered was uncomfortable, but not too bad.
The rest of the day and night lying flat, and not so much as raising my head, sucked; but again, tolerable. My head started to ache, as expected, but I had advil extra strength liqui-gels with me, and that lessened the intensity of it. I got nauseous, and eventually puked. I felt right better after that, though. The nurses gave me anti-nausea drugs after that, but I don't think it was necessary.
I slept well, eventually. I woke up, and the nurses eventually let me stand up and go to the bathroom (so much better than the bottle!!!), and I spent the rest of the time at the hospital sitting up, and reveling it, if I wasn't standing.
I was released later. They called me a cab, and I went back to my hotel.
Throughout the 18th, I kept taking advil every 4 hours (more than the bottle recommends in a day, technically). My neck was sore and stiff all day, and my headache never completely went away, but it was all tolerable with the advil.
The 19th my headache was gone. My neck was still sore, but less so. I only took advil once. I went to museums, and for walks, and out to dinner.
By today (the 20th) the only pain was in my neck, when I would duck in and out of the door of the rental car. Otherwise I was in perfect condition (or as perfect as I can be, with my MS symptoms).
Now, I am young (27) and my symptoms aren't serious yet; Dr. Slavin said I am his first MS patient with such minor symptoms and he's excited to see how that will turn out. Maybe that has something to do with why I had such an amazingly easy time. I was very lucky.
I am not comfortable talking about other people's side effects, but I will say that the other two who had the procedure done just before me, and with whom I shared a room, had a much harder time of things. They were both brave about it, but they were in more pain (as well as other side effects) and I expect it lasted longer.
For those who aren't familiar yet - there are no reliable results to be reported for 6 weeks at least.
I'll gladly answer any questions anyone has in the meantime, and in 6 weeks I'll start discussing changes.
EDIT: I can't believe that I didn't mention this before, but my parents were with me, and I am VERY grateful for their being there. Anyone who is going should ABSOLUTELY NOT go alone. I was trying to be factual, but I left out all the little things they did for me... Don't bring just anyone, either. Bring someone who you can be embarrassed in front of. At the very least for the day of the procedure itself you will need to forget your pride.