7 lumbar puncture attempts

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Hello,

I am not a nurse, I am a patient but I have joined this forum to ask whether or not my recent treatment was acceptable or normal.

Two weeks ago I had a viral infection with several symptoms of meningitis. To rule out meningitis the doctor ordered a lumbar puncture. The lumbar puncture was done by a student doctor with an attending by her side. It is important to note that I am thin and have quite a lot of muscle mass as I am an athlete, (the attending claimed that my muscle mass was the cause of the difficultly).

the student doctor attempted my LP a total of 6 times before the attending stepped in to help. 3 of those times she "forgot" to put anaesthetic in the area before putting in the needle, which of course was excruciating. She also drew fluid 3 times but each time there was too much blood in the specimen, so she had to move and try again.

After that ordeal I was given morphine and discharged the next morning, but I was suffering from extreme headaches and vomiting along with the back pain. If I sat or stood up for more than 20 seconds I would begin vomiting and would faint within 30-40 seconds. upon arriving home I had to be taken to the hospital by ambulance. At the hospital they diagnosed me with a post LP heacdache and decided they would to a blood patch. Before the procedure I of course could not take fluids or food by mouth. They ended up starving me without any fluids for 48 hours, because apparently I was never actually put on the c-pod list. At that point they fed me and gave me fluids by drip (which they apparently should have given to me the the whole time).

they said I would have the procedure the next morning, but another 36 hours went by with no food or fluids before I was finally taken into the operating room. The blood patch went well and I was released the next day but I have still not recovered physically or emotionally from that ordeal.

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

I'm sorry, it is against Terms of Service for members to comment on your medical care or offer medical advice. Please talk with your PCP, or the ombudsman at the hospital where you received care.

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

Hello,

We are sorry, but as stated above, we cannot provide the medical advice you seek per our Terms of Service.

We hope this all resolves and wish you well.

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