Myleoram - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

stephieann · 03-28-2003, 08:56 PM

I have to have a Myleogram this Tuesday. I am really scared. Can somone please tell be about the test and how much pain is involved during and afterwards. I plan on taking a valuim and a pain pill before the test.

Thank you

Nanner · 03-29-2003, 02:50 AM

Stephanie, all I can say to allay those fears is that many of us on this board have had myelograms and lived to tell about it. You might want to do a search on the word here and you'll get a ton of information.

I don't think you'd find many who would say a myelogram is totally painless, but for most of us it doesn't last beyond the table. Just remember to drink LOTS of water after the test and plan on staying off your feet for 24 to 48 hours. Good luck!

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Nancy D-ACDF C6-7 on 6/7/02. Donor bone with no hardware

jbell95 · 03-29-2003, 07:55 AM

Hey There,

I just had a myelogram Friday morning. Drink plenty of water the day before your procedure and hydrate yourself well.

The doctor cleaned and numbed up the area that he wanted to work on which was my lower back. The injections felt like two bee stings then the area was numb. I felt a sight bit of pressure when he was placing the needle to inject the dye and when he was removing the needle. Since the area he wanted to see was my neck, they tilted the table head down so they dye would flow to that area.

I did get a headache immediately after the procedure, but I asked for something and it subsided. I went to a short stay unit for observation (2 hours) and ate a bit of lunch and I did get sick on the way home. (That's just me. I think I'm just very sensitive to narcotics and shouldn't be eating after my procedures)

Lay down when you get home, stay off your feet and drink plenty of caffeine or water to flush your system to get the contrast medium out.

Do a web search about the procedure. Take care and good luck. J

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C3-C6 straightening of normal cervical curvature.
C2-T1 mild central spondylosis without significant stenosis.
C3-C4 broad-based spondylosis and bulging with mild to moderate flattening of the anterior epidural space.
C4-C5 broad-based spondylosis and bulging eccentric to the left with mild to moderate compression upon the anterior epidural space.
C5-C6 spondylosis with a broad-based protrusion with moderate compression of the anterior epidural space.
C6-C7 mild central spondylosis and a small midline protrusion with minimal flattening of the anterior epidural space.

BWL · 03-29-2003, 08:11 AM

Hi Stephiann,

I'm one of the ones that had no problems and virtually no pain. The only thing that hurt was having them slide me around on the table and move my neck and arms. The needle part was nothing.

I've noticed that I did get one piece of advice from the doctor that seems to go against my dear friends on the board.

I was sent home and told to grab a book, food, and water and to "sit" somewhere that supported my lower back, as he didn't want me moving the area of the stick telling me if I moved I risked a headache as a result of a change in the CSF. (That's a really long sentence). He made a big point of telling me to "NOT" lay down and to sit for eight hours (yuk) only slowly getting up for the bathroom. So, I sat for eight hours watching movies and keeping very still. After eight hours I lay down and alas no headaches no nothing.

The only stupid thing I did was running to get a phone the next afternoon at work. My head just felt weird then, but didn't really hurt.

It will be over before you now it.

can I add you to our schedule?

Bruce

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ACDF with plating and donor bone C6-7 (1/29/03)

[This message has been edited by BWL (edited 03-29-2003).]

joprud · 03-29-2003, 01:08 PM

Hi Stephieann,

Sorry...I have no advice since I've not been through it but I wanted to welcome you and send along some good thoughts and vibes. These guys are a wealth of information, strength and of course laughter.

Best of luck.

Take Care,

Joanne

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At the age of 8, Sept ‘63, bad fall on back on stairs compression fractures of D6 and D8
Diagnosed DDD 1993
C4-C5 posterior osteophytic bar effacing ventral thecal sac Mild stenosis of neural foramina
C5-C6 posterior disc protrusion effacing v t s .Mild stenosis of neural foramina
C6-C7 posterior disc herniation effacing v t s . Mild stenosis of neural foramina
C7-T1 Small perineural cysts present in both neural foramina.
left convex scoliosis of mid thoracic spine. wedging of T7. wedging of T5 .degenerative end plate changes at T8-T9
L4-L5 diffuse disc bulge effacing v t s. hypertrophy of facet joints, minimal central spinal stenosis.
L5-S1 posterior disc protrusion with associated tear of annulus fibrosis. hypertrophy of facet joints.
S1-S2 Perineural cysts involving S1-S2 nerve roots.