Hello folks. I had a myelogram today which was finished by 3pm. The doctor said to sit up for 5 hours without moving and then lahy down. I sat from 3pm until 9:30pm and started having a headache when I lay down. Is this normal? Should I sit back up? The car ride was 2 hours so I am counting that as my 5 + hours sitting up.... Please reply with some advice. Thanks, JB

Hi Jbravo,
I had my mylogram when I was in the hospital, I had to lay with no pillow for many hours, I'm sorry I don't know how many since I was very ill, they thought I had menengitis. Was it a painful procedure? I had mine 3 days after I had my first two level fusions, so it was unbearable for me. I'm curious how it was with out the fuson to complicate it.

I do hope you get relief from the headache, if it persists I would call your doc, even if it means after office hours. I do know for a spinal headache lots of caffiene does help, they gave me an IV drip with caffiene in the hospital, it was amazing how fast it stopped hurting. But I would of course ask your doc first.

Good Luck & God Bless

Carol

I never heard of being told to 'sit up' following a myelogram. Most folks have to lie still for several hours and then when you sit up many times people get a terrible headache. When I had mine I did lie down for a few hours, then was up and doing fine when suddenly a headache came on and it got so bad I was in bed for two days and when I raised my head it felt like it would 'explode'! They called it 'brain banging'. My husband drove me to the hospital where I had a 'blood patch' done by and anesthesiologist, and that relieved it. That was where they draw blood from the wrist and inject it into the spine to 'close up' the hole that was left in the spine causing fluid to leak and thus the 'terrible headache'. I do hope you don't have this happen. Do call your doctor or go to a nearby hospital if it happens.
yanksgirl