Catherine with a C
07-02-2003, 05:40 PM
I shall also post this on the Back board.....
Quick history~~
I had a 4 level laminectomy-discectomy in Dec. 1985.
I have had NO problems until about a month ago.
My right foot, underneath, mostly toes started to go numb!!! (Hmmmm?!) I mentioned this to PT "chick"-
& she did some relflex tests.......Yada,Yada,Yada!!
Saw my NS.on the 19 of June (that's when I received the good news about my fusion having started)~~anyways--he took some x-rays, & it showed "something" at L5 area. I am to have a full day of testing done on July 9th. Nothing to eat/drink from midnight on the day before (standard) then apparently I arrive @9;30 am.
I will be sedated @ 10, an injection of gatalatium (sp?) @ 11. I will have an MRI of lower back @ that time & then a bone scan @ 2!!! I can finally eat/drink @ 3 !!!
I guess what I am wondering is does the injection of the dye hurt? And, what is the diffence, if any, between a bone scan & a bone density test?
How long does the scan take?
Alright, that is that.
I will admit to being rather bummed about this whole new issue........Apparently my neck & back situations are not related. If it's not one thing eh?!
I have NO PAIN as far as my neck problems are concerned, buy MAN!! I am really sore in the lower back area......PT. is focusing on strengthening the area. Any thoughts or answers would, as always, be appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Catherine :wave:
Quick history~~
I had a 4 level laminectomy-discectomy in Dec. 1985.
I have had NO problems until about a month ago.
My right foot, underneath, mostly toes started to go numb!!! (Hmmmm?!) I mentioned this to PT "chick"-
& she did some relflex tests.......Yada,Yada,Yada!!
Saw my NS.on the 19 of June (that's when I received the good news about my fusion having started)~~anyways--he took some x-rays, & it showed "something" at L5 area. I am to have a full day of testing done on July 9th. Nothing to eat/drink from midnight on the day before (standard) then apparently I arrive @9;30 am.
I will be sedated @ 10, an injection of gatalatium (sp?) @ 11. I will have an MRI of lower back @ that time & then a bone scan @ 2!!! I can finally eat/drink @ 3 !!!
I guess what I am wondering is does the injection of the dye hurt? And, what is the diffence, if any, between a bone scan & a bone density test?
How long does the scan take?
Alright, that is that.
I will admit to being rather bummed about this whole new issue........Apparently my neck & back situations are not related. If it's not one thing eh?!
I have NO PAIN as far as my neck problems are concerned, buy MAN!! I am really sore in the lower back area......PT. is focusing on strengthening the area. Any thoughts or answers would, as always, be appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Catherine :wave:
Sponsor
BamaPeach
07-02-2003, 06:09 PM
omg
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[This message has been edited by BamaPeach (edited 07-03-2003).]
BamaPeach
07-02-2003, 06:10 PM
PC went nuts
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BamaPeach
07-02-2003, 06:10 PM
I know operator error...sorry bout this
[This message has been edited by BamaPeach (edited 07-03-2003).]
[This message has been edited by BamaPeach (edited 07-03-2003).]
BamaPeach
07-02-2003, 06:11 PM
Man Do I feel like a moron..lol
------------------
"The only thing neccessary for evil to succeed is for good people to do nothing"
ACF June 18, 2003 C4-5, C5-6, and C6-7 with bone donor and hardware
[This message has been edited by BamaPeach (edited 07-03-2003).]
------------------
"The only thing neccessary for evil to succeed is for good people to do nothing"
ACF June 18, 2003 C4-5, C5-6, and C6-7 with bone donor and hardware
[This message has been edited by BamaPeach (edited 07-03-2003).]
BamaPeach
07-02-2003, 06:12 PM
Bump
[This message has been edited by BamaPeach (edited 07-03-2003).]
[This message has been edited by BamaPeach (edited 07-03-2003).]
BamaPeach
07-02-2003, 06:12 PM
Double Bump
------------------
"The only thing neccessary for evil to succeed is for good people to do nothing"
ACF June 18, 2003 C4-5, C5-6, and C6-7 with bone donor and hardware
[This message has been edited by BamaPeach (edited 07-03-2003).]
------------------
"The only thing neccessary for evil to succeed is for good people to do nothing"
ACF June 18, 2003 C4-5, C5-6, and C6-7 with bone donor and hardware
[This message has been edited by BamaPeach (edited 07-03-2003).]
BamaPeach
07-02-2003, 06:13 PM
Hiya dear,
I don't know much about a bone scan but the dye for the mri is not to bad. I had one and giving blood was worse so don't worry about that part. A terrific websit I have found is http://www.neurosurgery.medsch.ucla.edu/Diagnoses/Spinal/SpinalDis_1.html
Hope this helps
Touch your own belly button carefully..lol
I have three so which one do you want me to touch.S
Ginny
------------------
"The only thing neccessary for evil to succeed is for good people to do nothing"
ACF June 18, 2003 C4-5, C5-6, and C6-7 with bone donor and hardware
I don't know much about a bone scan but the dye for the mri is not to bad. I had one and giving blood was worse so don't worry about that part. A terrific websit I have found is http://www.neurosurgery.medsch.ucla.edu/Diagnoses/Spinal/SpinalDis_1.html
Hope this helps
Touch your own belly button carefully..lol
I have three so which one do you want me to touch.S
Ginny
------------------
"The only thing neccessary for evil to succeed is for good people to do nothing"
ACF June 18, 2003 C4-5, C5-6, and C6-7 with bone donor and hardware
jdog
07-03-2003, 12:37 AM
Catherine -
If you think I'm a wise soul, then you have more problems than your back. Time to give me your crack pipe. :D
I've had 2 MRIs with contrast. It's just like putting in an IV to draw blood at your doctor's office, but they'll be putting gato in. They usually do a regular MRI first and then one with contrast.
The only thing I'll warn you about is if a little bit of the gato gets onto the place where they put the needle in your arm (elbow), it will burn like hell for a couple of minutes, but just just tough it out.
I had a bone scan a long time ago, but didn't show any problems and it was uneventful enough that I don't remember it.
Also, it may seem like bragging, but I've been told I have a high pain threshold. I've had EMGs where the needle pricks were nothing more than a little annoyance, but other people have had them and say they thought they were being tortured. I've never been hurt before.
Sorry I'm a bit out of it. I've got a major sinus infection and am on Amoxcillin. I have body aches on top of my regular pain, so this is really strange. I just need to sleep.
jdog
If you think I'm a wise soul, then you have more problems than your back. Time to give me your crack pipe. :D
I've had 2 MRIs with contrast. It's just like putting in an IV to draw blood at your doctor's office, but they'll be putting gato in. They usually do a regular MRI first and then one with contrast.
The only thing I'll warn you about is if a little bit of the gato gets onto the place where they put the needle in your arm (elbow), it will burn like hell for a couple of minutes, but just just tough it out.
I had a bone scan a long time ago, but didn't show any problems and it was uneventful enough that I don't remember it.
Also, it may seem like bragging, but I've been told I have a high pain threshold. I've had EMGs where the needle pricks were nothing more than a little annoyance, but other people have had them and say they thought they were being tortured. I've never been hurt before.
Sorry I'm a bit out of it. I've got a major sinus infection and am on Amoxcillin. I have body aches on top of my regular pain, so this is really strange. I just need to sleep.
jdog
Catherine with a C
07-03-2003, 01:13 AM
Thank you jdog~~~for you wonderful reply!!
I am curious why they would insert the needle (dye) into my elbow when they are checking out my lumbar area!!??
I can relate to the pain threshold thing~~~~
although you may be able to imagine the feeling!!
( try pushing a watermelon out of one of your nostrils for a few hours!!!!~~~~~~`)
I delivered both my kids naturally! What an oxy-moron that is!! NOTHING!! natural about it!!
Sorry to hear about your sinus infection!!!!!
Too much crack maybe??!! :D
Hope you sleep well.
Until later,
I remain, in new pain.
xo Catherine :wave:
[This message has been edited by Catherine with a C (edited 07-03-2003).]
I am curious why they would insert the needle (dye) into my elbow when they are checking out my lumbar area!!??
I can relate to the pain threshold thing~~~~
although you may be able to imagine the feeling!!
( try pushing a watermelon out of one of your nostrils for a few hours!!!!~~~~~~`)
I delivered both my kids naturally! What an oxy-moron that is!! NOTHING!! natural about it!!
Sorry to hear about your sinus infection!!!!!
Too much crack maybe??!! :D
Hope you sleep well.
Until later,
I remain, in new pain.
xo Catherine :wave:
[This message has been edited by Catherine with a C (edited 07-03-2003).]
jdog
07-04-2003, 12:04 AM
Ah, the antibiotics are taking hold now. The gato is carried by your blood stream. It moves fairly quickly, so they just inject it where they're used to drawing blood from. It still burns if a little gets out onto the entry place.
I actually go to an Open MRI place. My shoulders are too wide to fit into a normal MRI tube. If my stomach weren't so big, I could attract some of you ladies. :) LOL.
I've been to this place at least 6 times for various MRIs and this last time they asked me for feedback on how they felt they were doing. I told them I had no problems, especially since I was only in for a cervical MRI and they worked me in for a right shoulder as well, so what can you say but "I'm more than pleased." I did get to tell them my horror story of my first MRI there. It was for a lumbar and took about half an hour overall. I've never been in so much pain in my life!!! The technician had put a Kenny G CD in the stereo and I thought I was going to lose my mind!! If you want to talk terror, let's talk Kenny G.
jdog
I actually go to an Open MRI place. My shoulders are too wide to fit into a normal MRI tube. If my stomach weren't so big, I could attract some of you ladies. :) LOL.
I've been to this place at least 6 times for various MRIs and this last time they asked me for feedback on how they felt they were doing. I told them I had no problems, especially since I was only in for a cervical MRI and they worked me in for a right shoulder as well, so what can you say but "I'm more than pleased." I did get to tell them my horror story of my first MRI there. It was for a lumbar and took about half an hour overall. I've never been in so much pain in my life!!! The technician had put a Kenny G CD in the stereo and I thought I was going to lose my mind!! If you want to talk terror, let's talk Kenny G.
jdog
Catherine with a C
07-04-2003, 01:59 AM
aaaaaagggghhhhhhh!!!!!
Not Kenny G!!!!!?????
I do so hope that the Pain you are referencing is due to the music choice!~~~~~~& not the actual procedure!
let's face it....there is a time & a place for Kenny!
( so the time is ONCE!!! & the place is the back of some guys car......but....then...well, I digress!!)
I remain confused as to why I will be tested for both .....an MRi is one thing......please explain the bone scan. Is this to test for arthritis....cancer.....what!!??
Here..............you take the pipe!! I have had quite enough! :D
Until later,
I remain, frustrated,,,,,,,& in new pain.
C :wave:
Not Kenny G!!!!!?????
I do so hope that the Pain you are referencing is due to the music choice!~~~~~~& not the actual procedure!
let's face it....there is a time & a place for Kenny!
( so the time is ONCE!!! & the place is the back of some guys car......but....then...well, I digress!!)
I remain confused as to why I will be tested for both .....an MRi is one thing......please explain the bone scan. Is this to test for arthritis....cancer.....what!!??
Here..............you take the pipe!! I have had quite enough! :D
Until later,
I remain, frustrated,,,,,,,& in new pain.
C :wave:
jdog
07-04-2003, 11:40 PM
Catherine-
I have to say I'm not sure why the bone scan. I know it checks bone density, and for you ladies, it's so very important, because of the higher probability that ladies may develop osteoarthritis as they get older. Being an old, fat, white guy, I take a baby aspirin every night for my heart, and hope you, Catherine, take whatever calcium or other supplement your GP suggests you take.
I'm assuming that the bone scan is to rule out arthritic causes of pain, now that I think about it. In your case, I see it as a good check just in case something is wrong that could be detected by it. I hope to heck there's nothing wrong, and you end up feeling it was a big waste of money. :)
I had my bone scan about 12 years ago when I got sick one day at work. I went home, went to the bathroom, didn't have time to lift the toilet lid, just looked into the shower and blew chunks. I went to one of those "walk in medical" places, where I met the best doctor I think I've ever know. He did a bone scan, a battery of blood work, and after all the tests were done, he peeled the onion, and I had high blood pressure and was a diabetic. He left no stone unturned when trying to find out what was wrong. I even took an HIV test, because 5 years earlier, I had had a few years of allergy shots. That scared the daylights out of me. But he helped pull the different conditions apart and get me started on a regimen to control them. I just wish I still lived in Florida so he could help me with my back.
jdog
I have to say I'm not sure why the bone scan. I know it checks bone density, and for you ladies, it's so very important, because of the higher probability that ladies may develop osteoarthritis as they get older. Being an old, fat, white guy, I take a baby aspirin every night for my heart, and hope you, Catherine, take whatever calcium or other supplement your GP suggests you take.
I'm assuming that the bone scan is to rule out arthritic causes of pain, now that I think about it. In your case, I see it as a good check just in case something is wrong that could be detected by it. I hope to heck there's nothing wrong, and you end up feeling it was a big waste of money. :)
I had my bone scan about 12 years ago when I got sick one day at work. I went home, went to the bathroom, didn't have time to lift the toilet lid, just looked into the shower and blew chunks. I went to one of those "walk in medical" places, where I met the best doctor I think I've ever know. He did a bone scan, a battery of blood work, and after all the tests were done, he peeled the onion, and I had high blood pressure and was a diabetic. He left no stone unturned when trying to find out what was wrong. I even took an HIV test, because 5 years earlier, I had had a few years of allergy shots. That scared the daylights out of me. But he helped pull the different conditions apart and get me started on a regimen to control them. I just wish I still lived in Florida so he could help me with my back.
jdog
catgirl
07-05-2003, 02:00 AM
Catherine,
A bone scan is very similar to an MRI.........lying still in a very small place for an ungodly amount of time & the taking of numerous pictures.
The MRI is good for picking up whatever ails you that a normal X-ray cannot. A bone scan is even more powerful than the MRI in that the dye that they inject into settles into any abnormalities in the bone, i.e., bone breaks that are sooooo small that an X-ray cannot pick up (there is a medical term for it, but alas I cannot think of the name).
As far as the dye being injected into it is as jdog says it will flow through your circulatory system & then settle into those bone cracks or maybe bone fragments that may have broken off.
In my experience with a bone scan of a few years ago I had no pain association with the experience. The only abnormality about the whole thing was peeing purple the rest of the day.
So rest assured other than the mild discomfort of remaining totally still for 1/2 hour to 1 hour in a confine space & the terror of being subjected to a Kenny G tape there is nothing to be worried about.
Good luck with your testing & lets just hope that there is nothing seriously wrong. Cat
A bone scan is very similar to an MRI.........lying still in a very small place for an ungodly amount of time & the taking of numerous pictures.
The MRI is good for picking up whatever ails you that a normal X-ray cannot. A bone scan is even more powerful than the MRI in that the dye that they inject into settles into any abnormalities in the bone, i.e., bone breaks that are sooooo small that an X-ray cannot pick up (there is a medical term for it, but alas I cannot think of the name).
As far as the dye being injected into it is as jdog says it will flow through your circulatory system & then settle into those bone cracks or maybe bone fragments that may have broken off.
In my experience with a bone scan of a few years ago I had no pain association with the experience. The only abnormality about the whole thing was peeing purple the rest of the day.
So rest assured other than the mild discomfort of remaining totally still for 1/2 hour to 1 hour in a confine space & the terror of being subjected to a Kenny G tape there is nothing to be worried about.
Good luck with your testing & lets just hope that there is nothing seriously wrong. Cat
Catherine with a C
07-05-2003, 09:08 PM
Thank you so much Cat!!
I will certainly keep everyone updated!!
Cheers!
Catherine
I will certainly keep everyone updated!!
Cheers!
Catherine
mel333
07-08-2003, 10:51 AM
Hi Catherine,
I hope all goes well with your MRI and bone scan. I had (bone scan)one for my neck and arms and it was relaxing unlike the MRI. I hope you hear soon whats going on. Take care,
Mel
I hope all goes well with your MRI and bone scan. I had (bone scan)one for my neck and arms and it was relaxing unlike the MRI. I hope you hear soon whats going on. Take care,
Mel