Hi all!

I'm new to the board and would like some idea on just how painful the disc-o-gram is.
I had a laminectomy in 2003. Was in a car accident Feb this year and have been a mess since. Two issues, it seems - an injured SI joint (would love any advice on this too), and something going on with the lower discs causing the shooting pain down my legs typically ending (and worse) in my ankle or top of foot right by ankle. For this my doc said we should do the disc-o-gram to see about fusion. Well, the idea of the test and the fusion didn't thrill me so much :eek: so I put it all off. In the meantime they are changing my DH's insurance 1/1 so I need to change my doc (I'm hoping this is a sign!).

Anyway, if anyone can offer any friendly advice I'd appreciate it!
TIA!
:wave:

Hey deenbrad, I had the discogram done. It was a last resort test to basically confirm what they figured was wrong before my fusions were done. Have you had an MRI, CT scans, and other xrays?? I won't lie, it is a 'tough' test to have done so I would make sure it is absolutely necessary. The thing is deenbrad, if you need it done, it is worth it. It will be a conclusive test that will really help in you making a good decision regarding back surgery. Normally the test should take about 45 mins to do. (most of that time is 'prep' time so dont' get scared) After it is over, they will make sure to give you medicine to make sure you don't have continued pain. Everyone is different and so you may have an easy time with it.
I hope that helps a little bit. Your best bet is to make sure you really trust your surgeons judgement and talk it over with him. If you are questioning whether it really has to be done or not, just get a second opinion to be sure. If it is needed, then go for it, because the sooner you do it, the sooner you can make an informed decision on your next step in treatment. Make sense?? Take care! Marie

Thanks for the info. I have had xrays and MRI. This has just been going on and on!

Thanks for the info. I have had xrays and MRI. This has just been going on and on!


Unfortunately, I think this is part of back problems..........they are not always a easy diagnosis or quick fix.

Take care.

The discogram is the best test out there to diagnosing pain coming from any discs and also to see the true health of those discs.

It is an extremely unpleasant test, and by far the most painful thing I've ever been through. BUT, I WOULD DO IT AGAIN IN A HEARTBEAT! This test discovered the source of my pain, that 3 other ortho surgeons missed! Everyone "assumed" that a bulging disc I have (which had been around since age 18..then 44) was the source of my pain. My surgeon performed the discogram personally. He injected the bulging disc (l5/s1) 3 times and I never reacted once. He injected dye into the l4/l5 disc and my leg flew off the table, and it caused all sorts of horrific pain. The l4/l5 disc was ONLY SHOWING SLIGHTLY DEGENERATED ON MRI's for over 3 years. By discogram, the disc was badly torn and the only thing left of it was the shell of the disc.. and the doctor was stunned it was even still holding up. As soon as he would inject the dye.. it would flood right back out. He was hoping enough of the contrast would stay in to get a good shot of the disc under CT Scan, which they will do after the testing is done. ( The doctor was completely surprised by the findings and said.. while this a test we don't like to do, this is why we do them.)

I am now fused at l4/l5. The bulging disc was left alone. This surgeon thought to leave l5/s1 alone since it didnt appear to causing any issues and though not healthy.. appeared stable to that point.

So you can see why this test can be such a great dectector of disc issues.

If surgery is a possibility for a disc pain issue, as much as I don't want to ever go through that again.. I would.

Also, my surgeon does not believe in sedating his patients for the test, so there is no mistake in the results of the test, but many do offer some form of sedation for the test. You should ask about this.

Take care. Tammy:wave:

Oh my god, what a story!!!!! Holy Crap, did that disc even show up on the MRI that it was problem?? What I mean is did the other tests not show that disc as a problem??? Holy Cow. Scared but hopeful I have it.

Hi Yvette, the disc only showed as "slightly" degenerated, and looked quite normal by MRI, other than the beginning signs of degeneration. Again.. all MRI's showed it as "slightly" degenerated. For us regular folks looking at the MRI, it looked like a healthy disc.

That is why I say that the discogram turned out to be my saving grace in finding the source of my pain. While it was a horrible test painwise, it is worth every bit of it.

Tam

[QUOTE=Justoneofus]I am now fused at l4/l5.

How was the recovery from the fusion?

Well, good question.. as I am still recovering. It's had it's ups and downs, but more ups then downs. The sciatica I had on my right side and leg was gone immediately following surgery. Some left leg/ankle/toe nerve pain that set in around 2 weeks post surgery. It's calmed down alot, and that is without nerve meds (can't take Lyrica or Neurontin). Actually felt fantastic until almost 7 months.. then had a major flare up. Was really working hard in PT and I think I overdid it big time and my body just wasn't ready for it all at that time. But CT Scan shows SOLID fusion at 7 months.

Not pain free, but I do have pain free moments often. I average 1 vicodin tab daily.. and skelaxin when needed.

I still have some residual nerve pain that I feel periodically that I would like to get addressed, but if it doesnt get any worse than it is.. I can survive it just fine.

Overall, I would say I have 85-90% improvement since the surgery, and I was only given 50/50 odds of success. So I really can't complain. And, I am still healing.. so I expected the percentages of improvement to increase over the coming year.

I would do it all over again in a sec! I have no regrets. Hope this helps. Take care. Tammy:wave:

hi,
i had surgery in 1990 when i was 20, 17yrs later and a lot of pain later i had a 3 level discogram done 5days ago and im still in agony, i can honestly say for me the pain was unbearable, i had 3 disc's tested, and once the needle hit the disc's i could have jumped of the bed, i just lay there thinking "what are you doing" it took an hr and 20mins of pure hell. and no matter how bad i get, i will never put my-self through that again,
the man in the next bed came out smiling and joking with the nurses, that was b4 i went, so i thought, it mustn't be so bad !!!!!!!! boy was i wrong!!
i dont mean to put any one of, but be prepared for pain, they said it would be sore where they put the needles in for a few days afterwards, thats not the sore part after 5 days, the pain in my back has been really bad, so good luck to all who are considering it

I still remember my discogram done over 25 yrs ago. There were no meds given for any relief. It was horrendous to put it mildly. I was a drooling moaning mess and the pain was not brief it would not let up like it is "suppose to".

But one major point is the amount of pain depends on the problem. If there is no problem with the disc being tested there is NO pain. Also the degree of problems with the disc can make the pain level vary greatly from person to person. One person's bad disc will have mild nerve compression while anothers will have severe compression. Hence the difference in pain. I had surgery the day after the test as the discogram was only done as a prelude to surgery.

Would I go through it again. Only if every other avenue of diagnosis had been explored and surgery was being indicated. Right now I would have it done as I have been having daily nerve pain that has restricted my life for the last two years so yes I would do it if it could help. I would also ask for some kind of pain relief that people on here have talked about having. It doesn't do away with the pain but at least it numbs it somewhat. Nothing does away with that kind of pain. When I had mine done the Doctor ordered heavy pain meds when they took me back up to my hospital bed but that was too late for the severe pain of the test.

Hi there,
You have nothing to worry about I have had a triple level discogram and I was so nervous and worried before mine because I listened to to many people. You are put under a twilight sedation and don't feel or remember anything you might be a bit sore afterwards but if you have already had an operation then you are worried over nothing. I went on to have a double disc replacement 2 titanium discs I would rather have those and be able to move than be fused. I hope I have helped you out.I would like to know how you went.

hi deenbrad, i'm also new here...how helpful everyone is..
well, i'm going in for the discogram on the 26th, so i will let you know how it goes..i have been going for all kinds of injections for 3 yrs, over 20 sets until finally they suggested this...so, i heard from everyone at the office how bad it is, but i will let you know...

dont mean to scare you , but a discogram plain old sucks . the pain will hit you big time a day or 2 after the fact. i was miserble for 2 weeks. good luck:blob_fire

hi deenbrad, i'm also new here...how helpful everyone is..
well, i'm going in for the discogram on the 26th, so i will let you know how it goes..i have been going for all kinds of injections for 3 yrs, over 20 sets until finally they suggested this...so, i heard from everyone at the office how bad it is, but i will let you know...


I had a seven level discogram Dec 22 06, six out of the seven levels produced
extreem pain they went to t-12. Now my Dr. is having me do another discogram on 1-11-07 they are going to keep going until they find a good disc
I hope they are all good past t-12, if the disc is good you will only feel pressure.

Well actually the severity depends upon your doctor...I have had a discogram twice....once before L4 L5 fusion in 98 and again at the end of 2006.The first time around it wasn't too bad...Doctor was gentle and kind about the whole procedure..plus there was no atrophy of muscle or tendons at the time....The second time around though...that is a diffrent story...The doctor was extremely heavy handed...{didn't help that the hospital had changed hands into new management} the pain meds given afterwards did not help worth a snot and insertion of the needles sucked big time because of atrophy of tendons in my lower back....All in all though...I would do it again if I had exhausted all other tests and imaging devices..it is one of the best ways to see if a disc is "busted" or just compressing stuff it shouldn't....Wish you all the best...:wave: :)