PearlDoves
12-02-2006, 12:27 AM
I'd like it if someone could tell me more about discograms and their experience haveing one done... :D
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SpineAZ
12-02-2006, 02:54 AM
I had one done prior to my lumbar fusion surgery (way back in 1993). What I can tell you is that it was a relatively easy test - though it is not as simple as a CT or MRI. I was taken into a procedure room and given very light sedation (enough to help with any anxiety but not enough to render me unconscious). They need you to be conscious during the test so you can let them know what sensations, if any, you feel.
I was having a L5-S1 fusion and they had to test the disc at L4-L5 to see if it was healthy (or if the fusion needed to go higher). They inserted some type of probe and would ask me at various times if I felt anything (i.e. pain, numbness, etc).
Good news is that they found L4 to be healthy.....bad news is that the doctor had to do L4-S1 anyway since my vertebrae wouldn't cooperate with his efforts to insert the screws ;-)
I did not have one done for my neck, only for my lower back.
I was having a L5-S1 fusion and they had to test the disc at L4-L5 to see if it was healthy (or if the fusion needed to go higher). They inserted some type of probe and would ask me at various times if I felt anything (i.e. pain, numbness, etc).
Good news is that they found L4 to be healthy.....bad news is that the doctor had to do L4-S1 anyway since my vertebrae wouldn't cooperate with his efforts to insert the screws ;-)
I did not have one done for my neck, only for my lower back.
PearlDoves
12-02-2006, 03:04 AM
can this cause problems to the disc by doing this? I mean I've read that some people have allergies to the dye and that there is risk of infection and such, but what about actual damage to the disc?
SpineAZ
12-02-2006, 03:08 AM
Good question - my thought would be that if you have already had an MRI and the report shows that the disc is "ok" (meaning it's not totally blown or herniated beyond belief) that the discogram procedure won't further damage it and that a doctor would not do the discogram if there was any risk of further damage.
As with all procedures that you haven't had before there is a risk of allergic reaction, etc. But, since it is a known risk they will be prepared for it. I'd expect they'll ask you questions about any existing allergies you have since I believe some dyes/contrasts used are iodine based so they'll specifically ask you about any known iodine allergies.
As with all procedures that you haven't had before there is a risk of allergic reaction, etc. But, since it is a known risk they will be prepared for it. I'd expect they'll ask you questions about any existing allergies you have since I believe some dyes/contrasts used are iodine based so they'll specifically ask you about any known iodine allergies.
PearlDoves
12-02-2006, 03:14 AM
The test hasn't acutally been ordered or anything for me. But I've been thinking about it off and on lately, just because since my ACDF, above and below where it was done, I've had some interesting symptoms... nothing to be horribly worried about yet, but I have to wonder if my spine is a lot more unstable, even in the slightest sense of the word. I thought I read somewhere that sometimes MRI and such don't pick up everything sometimes, so if pain is still a complaint a discogram is sometimes used... I could totally be getting ahead of myself, I'm still recovering, but I'm just thinking ahead just in case... perhaps needlessly, but I appreciate yours and anybody elses input on the test because I haven't looked into what it actually was until recently.
SKZ
12-02-2006, 11:52 AM
HI there,
I had a discogram 2 1/2 weeks ago. I was worried about it ahead of time and did a ton of research on this board about it. It wasnt a problem at all when I had it. I had this conscious sedation (for like the millionth time in 5 yrs.). When they put the needles in I felt nothing and remember nothing. Then they brought me out of the sedation to test the disk to try and recreate the pain. It wasnt bad at all for me. No worse than the usual pain I have all the time. next thing I knew I was back in recovery. Do not worry about it. Its not too bad, I swear! Now the surgery I AM worried about! oy!:eek:
I had a discogram 2 1/2 weeks ago. I was worried about it ahead of time and did a ton of research on this board about it. It wasnt a problem at all when I had it. I had this conscious sedation (for like the millionth time in 5 yrs.). When they put the needles in I felt nothing and remember nothing. Then they brought me out of the sedation to test the disk to try and recreate the pain. It wasnt bad at all for me. No worse than the usual pain I have all the time. next thing I knew I was back in recovery. Do not worry about it. Its not too bad, I swear! Now the surgery I AM worried about! oy!:eek:
neilsandreshan
12-13-2006, 12:58 PM
dear pearl dove, I have had 4 kyphoplastys and a litf- i think its called a lumbar lateral interbody fusion, all since june 23 of this year, I am now scheduled for a anterior cervical corpectomy-(3) I find the biggest problem im having is the initial cut on my neck and then the hip procedure for the bone, having cfs and long term side effects from cortacoid steroids, given by the pharmacy instead of b-12, my immune system is very compramised, I found a psychologist, and saw him last night, the fear of the insision is paralizing, please if you could offer me advice I would so appreciate it, thank you... LTD.. PEACE
bw67
12-13-2006, 10:58 PM
I had a discogram back in August before my surgery, it was no big deal. They put me under, brought me back just enough for me to tell them if it hurt or not, then they put me back to sleep. I really don't remember much more than that.
I was blah, out of it for the rest of that day. I just took it easy, laid in bed and watch movies...
For me, the discogram showed that it was the herniations and not bone spurs that were causing my pain, which to the doctors meant that their minimally invasive procedure would work....
I was blah, out of it for the rest of that day. I just took it easy, laid in bed and watch movies...
For me, the discogram showed that it was the herniations and not bone spurs that were causing my pain, which to the doctors meant that their minimally invasive procedure would work....
sunshine221
12-14-2006, 10:12 AM
whats the difference between a discogram and myleogram?
PearlDoves
12-14-2006, 07:44 PM
Hi Neilsandreshan, I wouldn't worry about the incision sites or the intial cut - really those are the least of your worries and will probably be the least of your problems. You will be under general anesthesia, meaning you shouldn't remember anything or feel anything. You will be managed by other pain medicines after surgery to control the pain. The important thing is to take it easy and let your body heal. My incision site on my neck is healing very nicely, and to cover up the scar as it fades I've adopted a new fasion sense in neck scarfs. You can find these at places like Target and they can be interchangable many times as belts because they are kinda shear and lite as well as pretty.
If you are worried about being on steroids, I would talk to your surgeon about this before you have your surgery. For me, I was on some steroids for a period of time to keep swelling down, but fusion patients in general shouldn't be on them for long, nor should they take any NSAIDS (ibprofrin, Alieve, etc) because it can interfear with the actual fusion, there might be some alternative that can be worked out, or a way to limit your steriods. For me I had it while I was in the hospital and then for 6 more days with an oral steroids and then I was done for that point in time. This didn't interfear as with anything as this is a short period of time, and at my last appointment he said that there was already bone growth taking place.
All in all, I think you'll do fine, just let yourself heal, let others take care of you, Do the simple leg and walking excersises they show you, but don't over do it, listen to your body sorta speak - take it easy. God Bless you and Good luck! Let us know how it goes!
If you are worried about being on steroids, I would talk to your surgeon about this before you have your surgery. For me, I was on some steroids for a period of time to keep swelling down, but fusion patients in general shouldn't be on them for long, nor should they take any NSAIDS (ibprofrin, Alieve, etc) because it can interfear with the actual fusion, there might be some alternative that can be worked out, or a way to limit your steriods. For me I had it while I was in the hospital and then for 6 more days with an oral steroids and then I was done for that point in time. This didn't interfear as with anything as this is a short period of time, and at my last appointment he said that there was already bone growth taking place.
All in all, I think you'll do fine, just let yourself heal, let others take care of you, Do the simple leg and walking excersises they show you, but don't over do it, listen to your body sorta speak - take it easy. God Bless you and Good luck! Let us know how it goes!
Vegas74
01-16-2007, 03:07 PM
Ouch, i did it in America and they used enough drugs to put mt in a twlight sedation and it was uncomfortable, I did it it 4 months later in Germany with no drugs, it was painful beyond anything you could imagine, got the same results in both places
SKZ
01-16-2007, 03:09 PM
I had it and it was no problem at all. I guess it has to do with what your disorder might be. Mine was disk generation and facet joint degeneration. I had the twilight things too. I have no bad memories of it whatsoever. I have since had my surgery last week and I am feeling pretty darn well already. (C5-C7) ACDF. Everyone is so different.