somebody tell me plese if a CT myloegram is painful or not - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

mistyone · 10-28-2003, 07:33 PM

who has had this and does it hurt? i have heard that it does. do not candy coat this info here for me i want to know the truth.................somone tell me the truth how bad does it hurt and how long does it last

NYFUSED · 10-28-2003, 08:37 PM

Hello Mysti,
I myself posted the same question prior to my 3/03 ct/myelogram. I cannot tell you how your test will go but give you my experience. First off I took 5mg. of valium prior to the test. FIrst they took x-rays. The made me lay down flat on my stomach and injected me with a numbing agent. I only felt a small pinch. Then the inject the dye. I did not feel anything, pain free. After the injection they tilt you on the table so the dye goes into the cervical spine area. I felt throbbing near the injection site and as they tilted me I started to get a headache. The dr. that did my procedure was excellent. He kept asking me how bad the pain was and would guide me step by step during the test. As soon as the dye was where they wanted it x-rays were immediately taken and then I was wisked away for the cat scan. That took approx 10 min. By that time the headache was extremely bad. I was unable to,lift my head up due to the pain. They sent me to recovery and I was told to lay still with head elevated slightly. Within 1 hour the headache was GONE. I had minor lumbar pain. I was sent home 5 hours after the initial test was started. My experience was very good. I have no problem if I had to have another one done. I wish you luck and try not to be nervous. This test shows it all!!!! If I did not have a myelogram I would have never found out what my true problems were. My first NS thought it was all in my head, until I went for a 2nd opinion and he ordered the myelogram.

Good luck and let us know how you do.

LORI

LAMINECTOMY L4-5 20001
ACDF C5-6-7 10/2002
POST. LAMINECTOMY-FORAMINOTOMY C6-7 6/2003
STAPH INFECTION 7/4- 7/9/2003
NEUROGENIC BLADDER

FUTURE SURGERIES:
CTS BOTH HANDS
ACDF C4-5 HERNIATED WITH STENOSIS
L3- S1 FUSION OR ADR ( BLACK DISCS)

Nanner · 10-28-2003, 08:40 PM

Misty, my personal experience is that it isn't a day at the beach. It hurts when they insert the needle. Also, they have you move your neck in odd ways to get good views of the problem, but since that's where the problem is, it sure is not comfortable. And then they have you hold the position for what seems like forever.

But you live. And if you take it easy for a couple of days, spend your time laying down, and drink lots of fluids, you should be able to avoid most, if not all, of the headache. I just had minor twinges, and that was 3 days after the test, once I thought I would be safe. Laid down again for a bit and was fine.

I will admit, part of the reason I am not anxious for that second surgery is that the doc wants to do another CT myelogram beforehand. I know I could deal with it, but I only want to go through it again if it is *absolutely* necessary.

Besides, I get twinges in my back at the injection site since the surgery, and numbness in my right foot began following the procedure. I understand that the myelogram supposedly gives the best possible picture of what is going on in the spine, but it IS invasive.

A question for others who have had a myelogram-I have two spots on either side of my spine where the injections were made back in March 2002 that are still readily noticeable. Anyone else have lasting reminders like that?

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

mistyone · 10-28-2003, 09:12 PM

thank you for your experineces with a ct mylogram. i have to have this done and it is partially because the stupid n/s that i had in the first place put the wrong size metal plate in the back of my neck by about 1/2 " too long for the size of my neck. now, when i have this mylogram does it hurt the metal also that is in there? thank you for your candid explainations. anyone else have this care to commment. i want the full picture as that is what i can deal with.... knowing the truth before hand that i can deal with...nanner thank you and lorriat thank you foryou telling me. all i want at this point is what is truth for anyone who has had this done and what it has been like for you. please be honest and tell me exactly howw much pain i am in for and for how long. that is the only way i can deal with it, the truth is out there.........mistyone

[This message has been edited by mistyone (edited 10-29-2003).]

DonnaKay · 10-28-2003, 10:44 PM

Misty -

I had a CT myelogram in 1997 previous to a fusion at C5-6. I had no discomfort at all with it. Never even felt the needle. But ... I think the reason was b/c I was already in so much pain from my herniation. I wasn't able to take my pain meds that morning due to the water/food intake prohibition before the test, then the test was delayed b/c the "machine was down". They offered to reschedule, but I chose to wait. I am on this board b/c I may be going through this all again just having found out that I have two herniations just above and below the fusion. Please let us know how your procedure goes. Every experience is different, so I am learning from reading the responses to your question. Maybe it will keep me from being blindsided.

Good luck with your procedure.