Before I had my discography i read everything on the internet about it. I almost felt I could perform one :) Yea right! Then I went to this board and read all the posts I could find on discographys. So when I went into the Dr, office I was able to tell him I had read up on the prceedure on the internet so I would understand clearly when he expalined what he was going to do, He though that was great. Then I told him about this health board and reading about other peoples experiences with this test. You could see the negative look come on his face especially when i said well, I noticed a lot of people discribed it as very painful, some said agonizing and some said extreme discomfort. He then said it is very uncomfortabl especially if you have bad discs and he will do everthing he can to try to keep me compfortable. I then said to him That is not the reason for reading the responses to the test. The reason I was reading it and what I got great comfort in is in all the responses I read the bottom line was they were glad to get the answers they were looking for.and if this was the only wayto get them.If they had to they would do it again.(and they still would hate it) He was surprised at how much positive is on the health board he thought it was mostly negative thoughts. I expalined i was new to this and am getting strenght to go on by seeing how others do it and getting tips from them.so thank you all
the test did hurt, yes I did cry quietly and responded when I was supossed to. He will have the full ctscan report to send to my neurosurgeon next week I dont know where it will go from here I have no idea how they will fix my back any ideas???do they do fusions for this.
"he said L3/4 was great L4/5 clearly bad L5/s1 probably bad but i need to see the cat scan"this was what he told me after the test was done. They were wonderful. rubbing my back. talking to me just treating me great and with a lot of patience. If anyone in rhode Island has to have one done I would definatly recommend this guy,Matthew J Smith I had mine done at kent county hospital

Hi there and I am happy that you found this board to talk with real people that have been through this horrific pain test, but excellent tool for identifying disc issues.

Discograms are often done when surgery is on the horizon. And the last few lines you mentioned.. l4/l5 and l5/s1. Those are the two lowest in your spine. I am fused at l4/l5 and have a bulging one at l5/s1 (but this one causes me no pain and has been there since age 18).

I wouldnt get worked up about things regarding the test or what comes next until you talk with your surgeon. The surgeon will review all things and probably give you some options to decide on.

I am a person that "has" to know things and I too read up on the discogram, but had not found this board. When I had that discogram.. while i knew what the procedure entailed, could never have prepared me for what occurred. had I found this board beforehand.. I would have been more mentally prepared for my disco. I received no sedation for mine and got no pain relievers for 1.5 hours after the test was complete either. Im glad you were pampered more for yours.

LEt us know what you hear. Take care.;)

See, my first time was a real bummer but the second time around I spoke to them and told them about my fears and they (the staff) worked with me to make me as comfortable as possible even though I didn't get any IV's or tranqu's or anything but a nice warm blanket to scream in. That was enough for me because last time I had nothing. I'm glad it worked out for you and yes your right, if I had to do that God awful test again despite the anxiety attacks prior to the test LOL! Sad but true! I would do it but I think with less anxiety. Good Job. Yes they do fusion for what you have. I have the same thing. Two levels they call it. I will be having the 360 with hardware meaning that they will go in surgically through the front and the back to place and anchor two rods and four screws and from what I'm told going in from the front will help the surgeon to better position the rods. Now, this is only one method, and this is what he chose for me. There is not one method that is done for everyone as you have read here. When the time comes speak to your surgeon about the various methods that are out there and ask questions, lots of them or ask us since we the people here have been through it all. Okay. Good Luck and God Bless

I had a consult with Dr. Delamarter (Santa Monica) this past Monday.
Basically he told me to first get a discogram, then we'd talk about what can be done for me.
At that point, I asked if it mattered who did the discogram and he said "Yes....."
So shop around and get references on the people doing the discogram.

I did the exact same thing . I read up on discograms as much as I could and then I found this message board. I was petrified from May 24th up until June 12th (the day of). I truly believe the fear was worse than the procedure. The reason I was so scared was because they told me it would be painful and I could not have any sedation. Well, before I left the house at 6am, I took a 2mg tablet of valium. Otherwise I would have freaked out. I have two torn discs, L4 and L5. The bottom one is the worst. The neurosurgeon believes that my chronic joint pain and spasms are due to the torn in L5. I've had pain and have been disabled for 8 years. I'm glad I finally know what's wrong with me. It's been a few weeks now since the discogram. I was truly traumatized by the whole thing. It was like a nightmare. I'm going to have 2 nerve blocks and then a rhizotomy where they will burn the nerves around my joints. This has to be the light at the end of the tunnel. I know I may need a fusion down the road, but for right now, I just want to be pain free. Good luck to all of you. Pam

I am scheduled for a disogram this coming Friday. I am scared to death!
Is this going to send me flying off the table screaming?

NO-no, not that bad!! I am sure they give you mild sedation and you will feel some pain but it will be feel like in a dream.
This test worth every bit of pain: they will be able to see what is exactly going on.
Good luck to you!

I am scheduled for a disogram this coming Friday. I am scared to death!
Is this going to send me flying off the table screaming?
Let the Dr know you are very scared. I was lucky mine gave me versed to relax me. The pain comes from the bad discs. . If it hurts its a disc if there is no pain it not a disc. What other test gives you instant answers.:) i'm not making light of it you read my post I cried and let out a few yells. Humor gets me through everything and joking with the nurses and dr helped me get through this. Even if you dont use humor do think positive So much is learned by these test results. So much that could prevent unneccessary surgery or the wrong type of surgery. Yes it hurts but you are living with pain every day at least this pain will give you answers. Good luck, I hope all is ok. let me know how you make out.