Viewer Comments: Spinal Tap - CausesViewer Comments & ReviewsSpinal Tap - CausesThe eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:What was the cause of you needing a spinal tap?
Comment from: wonka, 65-74 Female (Patient)
Published: February 06
I had a spinal tap for my hip replacement. I have lung problems and this was used to avoid anesthesia for the surgery. I have a fungal disease and micro-bacterial disease in my lungs. The micro-bacterial disease requires three strong meds for one year to clear up. It is in the tuberculosis family but not contagious. Related Reading: tuberculosis
Comment from: Larry, 65-74 Male (Patient)
Published: December 14
A pituitary tumor removal was the cause of me needing a spinal tap.
Comment from: Still a Puzzle, 45-54 Female (Patient)
Published: November 05
I have had nine previous spinal taps because of severe headaches that never stop. We were trying and still are, to figure out what it is from. I had slightly elevated pressure in my head. I lost 35 lbs in 3 months. Now I don't need the medicine anymore, my pressure on the today's spinal tap was normal. Spinal taps can be a useful diagnostic tool. They are painful though, and not something to look forward to.
Comment from: Spierre92, 19-24 Female (Patient)
Published: September 25
It was used to diagnose me with multiple sclerosis. Related Reading: multiple sclerosis
Comment from: bob, 65-74 Male (Patient)
Published: June 20
I needed a spinal tap to check for hydroencephalitis.
Comment from: 45-54 Male (Patient)
Published: May 11
My doctor thinks I may be suffering from MS.
Comment from: 35-44 Female
Published: April 02
I've had three mini strokes within a month. I've been tested for anything and everything. Everything has checked out fine. The next step is a spinal tap. All the doctors are baffled because I have no underlying symptoms.
Comment from: pamp49, 45-54 Female (Patient)
Published: January 13
I am having constant migraine headaches and chronic neck pain.
Comment from: bowlingnanny19@aol.c, 3-6 Female (Caregiver)
Published: December 27
My granddaughter has unexplained seizures and they did a spinal tap on her last night.
Published: December 13
I went to the ER for a severe headache and nausea. The doctor performed a spinal tap to test for meningitis. Related Reading: headache
Comment from: Vickie, 55-64 Female (Patient)
Published: September 06
My neurologist suspects I have MS and wants to do a spinal tap to be sure.
Comment from: mom in misery, 35-44 Female (Patient)
Published: August 23
I have Sjogren's syndrome and am having frequent headaches behind right eye as well as feeling of bugs crawling up legs, and a disturbance with my speech. My MRI came back okay, but my doctor is covering all bases to rule out MS.
Comment from: 45-54 Female (Patient)
Published: August 12
I am being tested to see if I have Guillain Barre Syndrome.
Comment from: apatt, 13-18 Female (Patient)
Published: August 01
I had a spinal tap after I had had double vision along with headaches and eye pain. I had swollen optic nerves caused by pressure in my spinal fluid they are currently testing for a tumor caused by fluid buildup and weight now the tumor can go away with weight loss and water pills. Related Reading: eye pain | weight loss Must Read Articles Related to Spinal Tap
Brain Infection
Our brain, the spinal cord, and its surrounding structures could become infected by a large spectrum of germs (that is, microorganisms). Bacteria and viruses ar...learn more >>
Encephalitis
Encephalitis is an acute infection and inflammation of the brain itself. This is in contrast to meningitis, which is an inflammation of the layers covering the ...learn more >>
Fever in Adults
A fever is a body temperature of 100.4 F or greater. A fever may be caused by a virus, bacteria, fungus, blood clot, tumor, drug, or the environment. Treatment ...learn more >>
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I have a spinal cord injury that showed up between two MRIs. I had an MRI in 2011 with no cord injury, then again in 2012, which then showed spinal cord Injury. My doctor wants a spinal tap done to rule out MS.
Related Reading: spinal tap