Pseudotumor Cerebri Support Group

Pseudotumor cerebri (PTC) is a neurological disorder that is characterized by increased intracranial pressure, in the absence of a tumor or other diseases affecting the brain or its lining. Diagnosis requires brain scans and lumbar puncture. Characteristic symptoms are headache, transient visual obscurations or transient visual loss in one or both eyes usually lasting...

761 Members
8,021 Posts
0 Online
Brain & Nervous System
/ Pseudotumor Cerebri Support Group

consious sedation

catlover2011
catlover2011
I just came from my new neurosugeon and he is wanting to do a lumbar puture under consious sedation.I only had 2 lps since my diagnoses last year and i have a lumbar pertinal shunt which causes my bad back pain but never had the lps under sedation. Has anyone had consious sedation for lps before?if so do u remeber the procedure?how long did it take to wake up? How long did u have to stay after the procedure?
aimhigh4once
aimhigh4once
Hi :D I have not gone under conscious sedation before but I am in the medical field and I have participated in this procedure. When done properly you can be awakened easily for the provider to ask you questions if needed and you are able to maintain your own airway. They may provide you with oxygen via nasal cannula. (they just put it up to your nose)
The LP shouldn't take very long maybe 15 minutes to a half hour depending on what they are doing, are they sending cultures? Are they doing it under flouroscopy?
Under conscious sedation you should wake up minutes after the procedure is completed.
Normally you can go home as soon as you are coherent and able to walk.
You should have someone come with you as it would not be safe for you to drive because you will still feel very tired.
I hope this helps :D Blessings, Aim
RN4408
RN4408
Ann covered it well! Light sedation for an LP isn't unusual. Lots of people don't like the idea of a needle in the back so some Drs more than others will sedate for it. I've never had any sedation for an LP though I think they offered when I had it done in the ED. It's generally not a big deal, just a little nap and then they wake you up and have you hang around for about an hour before someone else drives you home. Good luck!