Can anyone tell me the difference? Why would you have a myelogram and not a disco gram first. The discogram seems much less invasive and less painful.

coleen b; I have had a slew of both, and from my understanding,mylograms rule out nerve compression and discograms rule out which disc or discs are causing the problem that you are having at the time. Usually the drill is MRI or Cat Scan/with or without contrast,mylogram and last discogram.This is the way I have alwaysbeen examined when leading up to a surgery. I hope this makes sense.

Thanks Patty. I have not had the myelogram. I wonder if I should have.

I would personally say the discogram is much more painful, at least was for me, in fact, they are also more invasive as they are inserting a needle into multiple discs, in my case 4 and pressurizing them. Myelogram is one needle into spine like a block to watch the dye pattern. At least that was my understanding of the myelo.

Anyway, I wish you luck with your testing.

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Auto Accident Aug 1988
L3-4 disectomy 1989
L3-4 now re-herniated
L4-5 DDD
L5-S1 herniated
5/14--trial stimulator implant(went well enough for full implant)
6/11/03--full implant(medtronic)
Hopefully to hold on for ADR

I have had both mylegram and discogram and my neuro said the discogram is a last resort test, and will only put his patients through this pain after a positive mylegram. Also my discogram was done before having all my hardware installed...