Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Myelogram?

Hi,

I had a myelogram yesterday. The procedure went very well. Not too painful except for the numbing meds. It's afterwards that was bad. I developed the worst back and shoulder pain. Last night the headache developed. I was given Darvocet which helped until it wore off. Now this morning the back pain is still there. Has anyone had this procedure and the severe back pain? I called the radiologist and he said this is not a normal symptom that my procedure went very well with no sign of a bleed at the sight (had a CT afterwards) so he can't explain what is causing this pain. He sounded offended that his wonderful technique could have caused such pain like it was all in my head. He also wouldn't give me anymore pain meds saying it was not caused by the procedure. I felt like he thought I was drug seeking. If he only knew what a non-drug taker I am he would eat his words.

Oh well enough ranting. Thanks for listening.

Love ya,

DebbieZ

Sorry... I'm not even sure what that procedure is .

Sorry you were in more pain after they were finished with you. I hate headaches .

Helen

I had one done back in the early 80's, and my back hurt afterwards also. Where they injected the dye into the spine that whole area was bad off. It did go away, and I like you could get no help from the doctor. Wish I could be more help.

Bob



Beauty is in the eye of the beholder...Behold the beauty of Orca Art

Hi Debbie!
I did get alot of back pain from my mylegram...but it was from my bulging dic and herniated disc and fusion at l5/sI area. One thing they told me [neurosurgeon] was that they would be able to determine right away where the damage was if any from when they inject the dye into the disc. I had EXCRUCIATING pain when they did it. I tried to stay calm..and managed but the tears were just rolling off my face. The nurses came and comforted me through the procedure to help me get through it. The doc was real nice too and said although it was painful he was able to see right away where the damage was and what they needed to do. Would definitely NOT want to go through that again!!

Hope you feel better soon. Try to get some rest. I know it took me a good week before the soreness from it went away.

Hugs]]]


Buggy

So you had a Hell-oh-gram? I am very sorry. The radiologist is lying out his posterior. They know if a bunch of people with Spinal Disease who actually went thru this started posting about it on the internet, they wouldn't be able to get away with doing them anymore.
You got the headache because the needle went in at the wrong angle and spinal fluid leaked and the dye went were it shouldn't. Busted, bozo.
You know, they do SURGERY on people and give pain meds, so I don't know what the heck the excuse is at this point for torturing people.
Call your regular doctor and try to get some relief that way.

What is a myelogram? A myelogram is an X-ray examination performed by a radiologist (a physician who specializes in X-ray procedures and interpretation) in which a contrast material (a dye that can be seen on an X-ray) is injected into the fluid-filled space around the spinal cord. Why a myelogram? To enable the doctor to detect abnormalities of the spine, spinal cord, or surrounding structures. A couple of explanations
The brain and spinal cord are surrounded by cerebral spinal fluid, which is a protective clear liquid containing some proteins and sugar. The body produces this fluid around the brain and spinal cord as needed.

The radiologist may use one of two different contrast materials:
a. an oil-based liquid that is removed after the X-ray exam
b. a water-based liquid that is not removed after the X-ray exam

Hi

I had one done earlier this year and I had the same problem as you and the others. I was lucky that I had some very good pain meds at home and then I went to bed.

John

Debbie
I had a myelogram in the late 80's early 90's...Neuro #1 did an EMG
and found nerve problem...He was undecided whether to do
Myelo or an MRI...I guess he flipped a coin an sent me for Myelo...

Put me in a gown and laid me on the floriscopic(sp?) table..Radiologist
had a hard time getting the needle inserted,not sure what he was hitting...
Was using his fingers to try and spread my vetebre ..After 3
times he said if needle didn't go in this time would need instrumentation..
Not sure what he was talking about,and was really glad 4th attempt
was successfull....

After spine was tapped and the proper amount of spinal fluid was
removed,Radiologist got a phone call...He left the room leaving a nurse
to keep cathetor pinched off...Finally he returned from phone call and
injected the dye..Felt like he put in more than he removed,lots of pressure
on brain..Tilted the table to let the dye run down snapped a few pics..
and that was about all....They made me stay in the hospital overnight,
did not get to stand up till about 8 or 12 hours after proceedure..Nurses
said it was to prevent headaches....

There are always the risk of nerve damage when they are sticking
needles that close to the spine...Some people are also alergic to the
dye used...Most of the dyes now days are water based,not sure how
long they stay in your system...

I hope you start to feeling better...If you don't,keep complaining till
someone listens!!!!!!!



David

Hi Debbie,
I clearly remember the day I had a myelogram done. It was in 1980 and I was flown to Germany from Spain. The doctors in Spain didn't know what was causing the pain down my back and sciatic nerve. They thought it might been a raptured disk. They didn't know why I couldn't get up from a sitting position or if I lean against a wall I couldn't straigthen up and walk. Why I was having pains around my hips and down the legs. The pain would be on the right hip one month and then shift to the left hip. Why I got up in the morning very stiff and the pain oh the pain. So after the myelogram I had some severe headaches on top of the back pains. I was also given CAT scans, MRIs', radioactive scans.....you name it. Nothing showed up. Not until 1991 when they gave me an xray of my lower lumbar and saw the fusion of the S1-L1 plus my SI joints were damaged that I was diagnosed with AS. Just take it from me, Don't let them convience you that's it all in your head. It's not....request some blood work for AS....and some obilque xray of the SI joints. Give your doctors AS pamplets..... ...You have to educate your doctor on AS.....Good Luck........
Dan

Cape Henry Lighthouses

Thanks David and John for the information on what goes on in a myelogram. I've had needles in my spine (supposedly for help with pain during childbirth) HA! The headaches and backache were not a tradeoff. Anyone who has to have a needle in their spine has my total sympathy. I'm really going to HAVE to need a procedure like that before I will let anyone try that again .

Best Wishes

Helen