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What to Expect During Your First Spinal Tap
*** Disclaimers: The following information is based off of my own personal experience and research. I am not a medical professional. If you are experiencing a medical issue, please seek a medical professional first and foremost. Also note that each patient and doctor is different, and experiences can vary. Read full disclaimer page here. *** Expecting your first spinal tap? While the fear and concern can be understandable, we hope this post can shed some light on the subject and provide you with the answers to some of your questions. Our goal is to help make this whole experience much less terrifying. But before getting into the Q&A, let’s break…
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Gravity & Its Bizarre Effect on Spinal Fluid
Did you know that two-thirds of astronauts who are in space for a lengthy amount of time come home only to report vision problems such as papilledema? Why? Because spinal fluid is very positional. And gravity – or lack thereof – plays a crucial role in keeping levels balanced. “On Earth, this spinal fluid system is designed to accommodate changes whether a person is sitting, standing or lying down. But in space, ‘the system is confused by the lack of the posture-related pressure changes,’” ¹ My Experience When I first developed a spinal fluid leak, the tell-tale sign for my doctor was the fact that my pain was relieved when…
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In Sickness & In Health
Do you know the scenes in movies where the person is being rushed through the hospital, and their loved one arrives just in time to find them? This is the exact image of what I remember in between my neurologist visit and passing out in the wheelchair on the way to the ER. My husband was there right when I needed him most. I might have been half conscious from the pain, but I will never forget how much love and concern he showed me through those days in the hospital. His support in helping me breathe and cope with every increase of pressure was enough to make me think…
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The Broken Body
Do you remember when your body broke? I do. Thursday, January 26, 2017. 9:30 am. It was the day I had my first child. It was the moment I had the epidural that went too far. Sure, that’s a common occurrence. Countless women experience it. The needle penetrates too far into the dura that surrounds the spinal cord and causes spinal fluid to leak out from around your brain. Excruciating headaches ensue. Sometimes the body heals itself before the new mother even notices. Other times, the skull crushing pain lingers for weeks or even months afterwards. The good news is doctors can fix this. All they have to do is…
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Postpartum Headaches & Backpain… Sound Familiar?
Had a baby and now experiencing symptoms you’ve never felt before? Believe me when I say there are a lot more women like you than you think! In January 2017, I gave birth to my first child. I had been healthy for 25 years prior. My pregnancy was uncomplicated and full term. My labor and delivery were brief and easy. But I didn’t know until four days later that there had been an accident with the epidural. While still in the hospital, I began experiencing headaches, something I had never dealt with much before. Upon arriving home, they were so excruciating, I couldn’t even think straight. My gynecologist instructed me…
