Hi, I have had two of them done and to be honest I was SCARED out of my MIND for them and they were not that bad. This is how mine went down: the day before the procedure I was told to drink ONE GALLON, yes, I said ONE GALLON of water. Apparently it helps to flush out the system. The following day, I checked into the imaging center after fasting for 6 hours prior to the procedure. They started an i.v. just for an emergency purpose if needed. They pumped fluiRAB the entire time I was there into me. Then they took me to the procedure room and had me lie down on the procedure table face down. I was not given any sedation but some doctors do provide it. The neurosurgeon came in and explained exactly what the risks of the procedure were and explained everything step by step as he did it. He cleaned my back with betadine solution, inserted a needle into the backside, took some pictures, injected dye (I felt a warm sensation not painful thru my buttocks and down into my leg), took more pictures, had me roll over to my side, took more pictures, moved the table from a horizontal to vertical position with me laying down, took more pictures, laid me back down took more pictures, and then he took out the needle out of the back. They had me slide from the procedure table onto a stetcher laying down and moved me to the CT room where they took more pictures with me laying down. Then they told me we are done and wheeled me into a holding room. I was told to remain laying down and they raised the head of my bed a little, gave me lunch, and I laid there watching TV for 2 hours. Every so often they raised the head part way up and then finally they took out the IV and sent me on my way home with very strict instructions to follow. I was told to remain laying down but not flat, to push a gallon of water thru, and do nothing but relax for the next 48 hours. I was told to only get up to use the bathroom or to get something to drink. I was encouraged to drink water or anything with caffiene in large quantities. I had no problems but did experience an increase in pain later that night and for the next few days afterward. Fortunately, I did not have any complications or headaches.
I was very fortunate because the neurosurgeon who did mine worked at UVA for some time and did approximately 50 a week. He was extremely proficient at it and told me that the key is to be very well hydrated before and after the procedure and to ensure that you relax for 48 hours after the procedure so that the puncture will heal and close on its own.
Good luck and I pray that this has helped relieve your fears some.
