charlotte1
01-06-2003, 01:57 PM
Info would be greatly appreciated
Can anyone give me info on myelograms like
Who preforms the myelogram?
What do they actually do?
Does it hurt?
Should I premedicate myself before?
How do they get the info from them?
If they are doing two areas does that mean I will get stuck twice?
Thanks
Charlotte
Can anyone give me info on myelograms like
Who preforms the myelogram?
What do they actually do?
Does it hurt?
Should I premedicate myself before?
How do they get the info from them?
If they are doing two areas does that mean I will get stuck twice?
Thanks
Charlotte
Sponsor
daver
01-06-2003, 11:26 PM
Hi Charlotte,
I just had one three weeks back. They will inject contrast (die) into your spinal cord, take some X-rays then perform the CT Scan. They gave me a valum to mello me out prior to the proceedure (that's the best part). They also give you a local anestetic on your back just before the die is injected. It is a bit painful but only for a short period of time. Not much worse than any other injection. After that it is pain free...
The scans look like an MRI but provide more detailed information on the spinal cord, nerves and nerve roots. The die causes the nerves to show up on the scans.
I assume you will only have the one injection. When they put in the contrast (die) they will tilt your body towards the direction they want it to flow. They monitor the die with an X-Ray. When the die reaches the desired spot they tilt the table back to the horizontal possition. It's very interesting.
Don't self medicate!!
Plan on spending at least 4 hours at the clinic.
Have someone drive you to and from.
Don't eat or drink after midnight the day before.
Lay flat on your back with your head raised slightly for 12 to 24 hours after proceedure.
A Doctor will be present.
These are done at "Image Clinics" MRI, X-RAY, CT Scan etc.
Piece of cake...
Good luck!!
[This message has been edited by daver (edited 01-06-2003).]
[This message has been edited by daver (edited 01-06-2003).]
I just had one three weeks back. They will inject contrast (die) into your spinal cord, take some X-rays then perform the CT Scan. They gave me a valum to mello me out prior to the proceedure (that's the best part). They also give you a local anestetic on your back just before the die is injected. It is a bit painful but only for a short period of time. Not much worse than any other injection. After that it is pain free...
The scans look like an MRI but provide more detailed information on the spinal cord, nerves and nerve roots. The die causes the nerves to show up on the scans.
I assume you will only have the one injection. When they put in the contrast (die) they will tilt your body towards the direction they want it to flow. They monitor the die with an X-Ray. When the die reaches the desired spot they tilt the table back to the horizontal possition. It's very interesting.
Don't self medicate!!
Plan on spending at least 4 hours at the clinic.
Have someone drive you to and from.
Don't eat or drink after midnight the day before.
Lay flat on your back with your head raised slightly for 12 to 24 hours after proceedure.
A Doctor will be present.
These are done at "Image Clinics" MRI, X-RAY, CT Scan etc.
Piece of cake...
Good luck!!
[This message has been edited by daver (edited 01-06-2003).]
[This message has been edited by daver (edited 01-06-2003).]
empi
01-07-2003, 03:34 PM
Thanks for the info. I beieve my doc is going to do one on me in another month.
charlotte1
01-07-2003, 05:59 PM
I appreciate you taking the time to reply. You were very informative. They have scheduled my test for Jan 17. I will have a two hour drive home. Is that possible after myelogram?
Thank you
Charlotte
Thank you
Charlotte
dmg
01-07-2003, 07:01 PM
Hi there,
I had a myleogram several weeks ago and aboe stated informatin was correct as my experience went, however, I did have one heck of a headache as soon as I was allowed to get up (4 hours after) and I would definitely ask for anti-nausea medication to take home with you, just in case. I had those symptoms for about 24 hours and it was not pleasant. The procedure itself was not bad and very well tolerated.
good luck!
diane
I had a myleogram several weeks ago and aboe stated informatin was correct as my experience went, however, I did have one heck of a headache as soon as I was allowed to get up (4 hours after) and I would definitely ask for anti-nausea medication to take home with you, just in case. I had those symptoms for about 24 hours and it was not pleasant. The procedure itself was not bad and very well tolerated.
good luck!
diane
Nanner
01-07-2003, 11:41 PM
Whoa, Charlotte, a 2 hour drive home? Do you know anyone with a van or RV where you could go back home in a supine position? Everything you read tells you to hit the sack after a myelogram for about 48 hours to avoid a very intense headache. Which is what I did, and even so I had some headache 4 days after the test. Not debilitating, but I went to bed again for that afternoon.
After that, no problem. You will survive, but getting in a prone position ASAP is important. You might mention the drive time to the folks doing the test-they might keep you there longer before release if you have to sit so long.
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Nancy D-ACDF C6-7 on 6/7/02. Donor bone with no hardware
After that, no problem. You will survive, but getting in a prone position ASAP is important. You might mention the drive time to the folks doing the test-they might keep you there longer before release if you have to sit so long.
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Nancy D-ACDF C6-7 on 6/7/02. Donor bone with no hardware
Nanner
01-07-2003, 11:45 PM
As for keeping you longer, I meant after the test. I was only kept about 75 minutes after the test, but they might want to hold you longer due to the drive home. I think I spent about 4 hours total at the hospital.
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Nancy D-ACDF C6-7 on 6/7/02. Donor bone with no hardware
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Nancy D-ACDF C6-7 on 6/7/02. Donor bone with no hardware
charlotte1
01-08-2003, 06:15 PM
Nancy,
Thanks for your concern. I was wondering if I could lower the back seats of my Mountaineer and make a bed.
Do you think that will work?
Charlotte
Thanks for your concern. I was wondering if I could lower the back seats of my Mountaineer and make a bed.
Do you think that will work?
Charlotte
Nanner
01-09-2003, 01:35 AM
Sounds like a plan, Charlotte. I didn't enjoy the myelogram, but lived through it. Not a test I would be anxious to repeat. It did hurt when they did the injections, but the worst part was the positions they made me assume. I'm there for a herniated disc and they had me contort my neck all kinds of ways that didn't exactly feel good. Then they say, "Hold it!"
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Nancy D-ACDF C6-7 on 6/7/02. Donor bone with no hardware
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Nancy D-ACDF C6-7 on 6/7/02. Donor bone with no hardware
franjo
01-09-2003, 08:16 PM
Hello again Charlotte, it's me. I had my first myleogram when I was eight. Back then, they were rather painful. When I was told I'd need another one years later...I was a little pannicked, but they told me the procedure has improved greatly over the years. They were right...it feels a little invasive, but nothing unmanageable. I was kept overnight in hospital. I don't know if that was because I had a total myleogram (needle inserted at the base of skull). I never had the headaches...but YES, please attempt to stay prone on your way home. It seems with such a long drive home, they would keep you overnight too. I'm sure that has a lot to do with insurance...but that's another topic...and I don't want to get started!...franjo
[This message has been edited by franjo (edited 08-16-2003).]
[This message has been edited by franjo (edited 08-16-2003).]
daisyduke
01-18-2003, 01:05 PM
i am not trying to scare ANYONE,but if the neuro surgeon even mentions myelogram to me i will tell him where he can stick that needle :).i just had a spinal tap like 3 weeks ago and i will never go thru that HEADACHE again...i had to go to emergency room 4 days later for a blood patch,because no amount of pain meds(even prescription that my neuroligist called me in) nothing helped it....so if this procedure isn't absolutely necessary i would not get it,especially if u live 4 hours away! anyway u can plainly see spinal cord compression/myelopathy in my mris.so i would think thats enuff to see what they need to see. goodluck{{{{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}}}}}}Miche lle
franjo
01-18-2003, 08:45 PM
In reply to the above post...Please someone correct me if I'm way off, but I think that a tap is more likely to cause the headaches because fluid is being taken away from the cord, where the myleogram requires fluid to be added and the risk of excrutiating headaches, like the one described above, is less. I, myself, never experienced any headaches with the myleogram, but I've heard that if you do get them, they are pretty bad....franjo
charlotte1
01-19-2003, 04:26 PM
Hey Franjo,
Your correct about the spinal tap (pulling fluid out)
I don't have any idea which is more likely to cause headaches though. All I know is I will have the myelogram and take my chances.
Hope your doing ok. Did you get any snow?
Charlotte
[This message has been edited by charlotte1 (edited 01-19-2003).]
Your correct about the spinal tap (pulling fluid out)
I don't have any idea which is more likely to cause headaches though. All I know is I will have the myelogram and take my chances.
Hope your doing ok. Did you get any snow?
Charlotte
[This message has been edited by charlotte1 (edited 01-19-2003).]
franjo
01-20-2003, 12:17 AM
Hi Charlotte!
Yes, we did get some snow, probably not as much as you did. I was disappointed in the small amount, but it was beautiful coming down.
Did you reschedule your myleogram? In your earlier post, you'd mentioned Jan. 17th. I assume, by your last post that you haven't had it yet....franjo
Yes, we did get some snow, probably not as much as you did. I was disappointed in the small amount, but it was beautiful coming down.
Did you reschedule your myleogram? In your earlier post, you'd mentioned Jan. 17th. I assume, by your last post that you haven't had it yet....franjo
PsychLea
01-20-2003, 10:40 AM
I have had multiple spinal taps and the only time I got the headache was when there was a leakage of CNS fluid and the headache immediately resolved when they did the blood patch.
The headache is due to the removal of spinal fluid and changes of pressure.Before having this procedure, like a myleogram, it is a good idea to be well hydrated and drink lots of fluids the night before and the day of. It will help replace the fluid faster.
It is also a good idea to remain flat for about 24 hours. That used to be the standard when I worked ortho, but now they have cut that to 4 hours. I assume because of wonderful managed care.
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God bless,
Lea
The headache is due to the removal of spinal fluid and changes of pressure.Before having this procedure, like a myleogram, it is a good idea to be well hydrated and drink lots of fluids the night before and the day of. It will help replace the fluid faster.
It is also a good idea to remain flat for about 24 hours. That used to be the standard when I worked ortho, but now they have cut that to 4 hours. I assume because of wonderful managed care.
------------------
God bless,
Lea
charlotte1
01-23-2003, 09:47 AM
hey you all
the new date for my myelogram is feb 5. this is a huge waiting game isn't it?
they told me they would keep me four hours after the procedure then send me home. they do not sedate or give any analgesics or antianxiety meds. hope it doesn't hurt. I'll let you know.
charlotte
the new date for my myelogram is feb 5. this is a huge waiting game isn't it?
they told me they would keep me four hours after the procedure then send me home. they do not sedate or give any analgesics or antianxiety meds. hope it doesn't hurt. I'll let you know.
charlotte