How do I take care of myself at home? Locations

• Remove the bandages the day after your Abbotsford-Regional 604-851-4866 Medical Imaging, 2nd Floor, Fraser Wing procedure. 32900 Marshall Rd, Abbotsford BC Cancer Agency 604-877-6000 • Resume your regular diet. Medical Imaging, 3rd Floor, 600 West 10th Ave, Hospital 604-434-4211 • Rest for the remainder of the day. Medical Imaging, 3rd Floor, 3935 Kincaid Str., Burnaby • You might feel tired and have a mild General Hospital 604-795-4122 Lumbar Puncture Medical Imaging, Main Floor, 45600 Menholm Rd, Chilliwack backache for the next 24 hours. Take the Medical Imaging Jim Pattison Outpatient Care 604-533-3308 pain medicine you would usually take and Centre ext. 63926 Medical Imaging, 2nd Floor, 9750 140th Str., Surrey for minor aches and pains. Langley Memorial Hospital 604-533-6405 Medical Imaging, Main Floor, 22051 Fraser Hwy, Langley • Do not do any strenuous exercise or lifting 604-984-5775 anything over 4.5kg (101bs) for 24 hours. Medical Imaging, Lower Level th Return to regular activities after this. 231 East 15 Str., North Vancouver Mount Saint Joseph Hospital 604-877-8323 • You might have a mild headache for up to Medical Imaging, Level 1, 3080 Prince Edward Str., Vancouver 72 hours after the procedure. 604-278-9711 Medical Imaging, Main Floor, 7000 Westminster Hwy, Richmond To reduce the chances getting a headache, Ridge Meadows Hospital 604-463-1800 drink plenty of fluids. Medical Imaging, Main Floor, 11666 Laity Str., Maple Ridge 604-520-4640 To relieve the headache, lie flat as much Medical Imaging, Columbia Tower 330 E. Columbia Str., as possible until the headache eases. Sechelt Hospital 604-885-8608 Medical Imaging, 5544 Sunshine Coast Hwy, Sechelt When to get help St. Paul’s Hospital 604-806-8006 Medical Imaging, 2nd Floor, Providence Building © Contact your doctor right away if you notice: 1081 Burrard Str., Vancouver - fever above 38.5°C (101°F), aches, chills 604-588-3308 Medical Imaging, 1st Floor, Lower Level - headache lasting longer than 72 hours 13750 96th Ave., Surrey UBC Hospital 604-822-7076 - a stiff neck (possible sign of infection) Medical Imaging, Main Floor - redness, pain, or pus at the puncture site 2211 Westbrook Mall, Vancouver Vancouver General Hospital 604-875-4111 - any numbness or loss of strength in legs GI/GU Department, Jim Pattison Pavilion Ext 66972 Station 4, Ground Floor, 855 West 12th Ave., Vancouver - problems passing urine (going pee) Go to the nearest www.fraserhealth.ca  www.vch.ca This information does not replace the advice given to if you cannot contact your doctor. you by your healthcare provider. August 2019 FH Catalogue #266159 VCH Catalogue #FA.140.L9711

What is a lumbar puncture? What do I need to do to prepare for this? Will it hurt? A lumbar puncture is a procedure for Our Medical Imaging Department The numbing medicine keeps you from taking a sample of cerebrospinal fluid contacts you with specific instructions feeling pain where the needle is inserted. (CSF) from around the spinal cord in the about how to prepare for this procedure. How long will it take? lower back. You might also hear it called a Alert - Tell us if you: ‘spinal tap’. - have any allergies The procedure usually takes about This procedure is usually done to identify - take any blood thinner medicine 30 minutes. diseases of the central nervous system, - could be pregnant including the brain and spine. This What happens after the procedure? procedure is also used to treat cancer with What happens during the procedure? You might need to stay in the department chemotherapy. • You are positioned lying on your front. up to 1 hour after the procedure is done. The radiologist lets you know how long. • Who will be doing the procedure? Numbing medicine (similar to dental freezing) is injected into skin of your back. A radiologist does the procedure Are there any risks or complication? (a doctor who specializes in image- • A needle is inserted into the area around Any time the skin is pierced or cut, there guided procedures). your spinal cord. You might feel some is a chance of infection. Other possible pressure as the needle is inserted. We ask complications include: If you have questions about the you lay as still as possible. procedure, you can ask the radiologist - bleeding at the site or in the before your procedure. • A sample of cerebrospinal fluid is taken surrounding tissues and sent to the laboratory to be examined. - leakage of cerebrospinal fluid out into Can I bring a relative or friend? surrounding tissues • If treating cancer, chemotherapy is Yes, a relative or friend can stay with you - headache that gets worse when sitting or injected into the area at this time. before and after the procedure. However, standing up (this can last up to 72 hours and generally goes away on it own). for safety reasons, they cannot be in the • A bandage is placed over the area where room with you during the procedure. the needle went into the skin. - damage to nerves We will tell you where they can wait during the procedure.

HealthLinkBC 8-1-1 You must arrange for a responsible adult to drive Call any time you have any questions or concerns. or escort you home after this procedure. HealthLinkBC is open 24 hours. Available in 130 languages. For an interpreter, say your language in English. Wait until an interpreter comes on the phone.

Lumbar Puncture over…