Ive got the date for my lumbar puncture (2 weeks time) im not going to have anyone available to drive me. I’ll need to get a taxi, a train and another taxi home after the procedure. Is this going to be a problem or will that be okay?
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It’s not ideal, but then none of this is. Is a taxi door to door a possibility?
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My LP was so OK that I was back at (office-based, admittedly) work the next day, no problem, but even so I really wouldn’t have fancied a complicated journey home from the hospital, TBH. It’s a non-trivial thing, an LP. Maybe your family and friends don’t quite understand that yet?
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They’re only going to take a small sample or two, they’re not going to completely drain you of spinal fluid. You should be back on your feet and fine to travel after.
JP
Hi there. I’ve not had a LP other than when I was a 10 year old so I’ve no experience to offer. Might be worth asking the hospital or wherever you are going for the LP ? Have you been given any advice/ info leaflets etc?
You’re a tougher cookie than me, JP. 
Thanks Hank, the hospital have included a leaflet with advice but it doesn’t mention anything travel related other than don’t drive. I might give them a call just to make sure.
I was actually an in-patient when I had the LP and bone marrow biopsy, so I had the luxury of staying in bed after the procedures, JP not such a tough cookie after all. 
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Bone marrow biopsy sounds like a whole new level of ‘not fun’. I hope that my luck holds and I continue to give that one a miss. 
Hi,
Just to add to this, I had a lumbar puncture. To get home I had a 15 minute walk, 2 train journeys and then another 15 minute walk.
On the day I was fine. In fact I was over-confident and stupid enough to go out for a run when I got home (don’t do this…).
I did get quite a bad headache starting the next day, which lasted a few days. If I were doing it again, I’d still take public transport - no choice on that front. But lie down for as long as they will let you at the hospital. When you get home, lie down again. This should reduce the headache risk. They do also recommend caffeine, I think - ask the doctor doing the procedure.
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Thanks for replying, i really appreciate it. I feel a bit better knowing someone else had a crazy public transport journey too. I’ll make sure to lie down as much as possible x
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Respect! Leonora, even if that wasn’t a great choice in the circs, your can-do attitude will surely help you through whatever life throws at you. x
Mine hurt like hell but it won’t actually stop you doing anything.
Thanks, good to know peoples different experiences so I can be prepared.
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Update- Thanks to everyone who took the time to reply to my post. I had the lumbar puncture today. It was unpleasant as they tried to start twice before I was completely numbed 
but they gave me more anaesthetic and got it done. I was able to manage the 50 min walk to the station, the train and the 30 min walk home. Now i just need to wait for the results!
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I hope that you feel OK, Squarecrisp, and not too tired today. That was a tough day yesterday.
Thanks Alison, feeling wiped out today but luckily im not in work till tomorrow 
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Good to hear that it was generally OK and travelling was also OK ( not sure I would have fancied the travelling so my respects to you).
Just some idle chat but I’ve had one lumbar puncture and that was when I was about 10 years old. 3 nurses came into the room, asked my Mum to leave, and then without a word grabbed hold of me an sat me on a table, bent me forwards and jabbed the needle into me. Needles were bigger in those days but I was already scared and screaming by the time they were bending me forwards.
Eeek, thats an awful thing to do to anyone, but especially a child! Im so sorry you had to go though that.
Long time ago (I’m 70 now) and all in all it’s just one part of a good story. It all took place in a Cambodian hospital where I was for two weeks with meningitis possibly carried in a mosquito bite. My Dad was working their for 18 months and we used to go for trips through the forests and jungles.