Re: THE TEST FAILED.. Booooo Hoooooo!!!!!

I've been following this thread and it amazes me the info and advice
being given to someone who is obviously terrified of the procedure. I
have had somewhere around 12-18 of these things and while they are not
the most pleasant way to spend a couple of hours, they are also
nothing...

15 years ago, a myleogram neccesitated an overnight stay in the
hospital, nowadays they are done and home you go. Best advice to avoid
the infamous headache is to consume PLENTY of liquids. The more you
drink, the faster the dye is flushed out from your system. Also, DO NOT
lay down with your head flat on the bed. This will almost guarantee a
headache! Keep your head elevated and get somewhere comfortable be it a
recliner, bed, sofa or whatever.

If they have problems getting the needle in, you have what's known as a
"difficult" back. They have a hell of a time getting the needle in on
my back now, however no surgeon I have heard of will operate without a
myleogram at a minimum.

Discograms are a different animal altogether. I've had 3. The first was
done under anesthesia in the OR. The second was done WITH NO PAIN
KILLERS, NUMBING or anything. Worse damn pain I have ever endured. The
last one was done under heavy sedation and was a breeze (I don't
remember it).

Discograms are used to verify/recreate disc problems by injecting dye
directly into the disc(s). This allows the surgeon to know exactly
where the problem is. Myleograms are use to map out the spine as it
will show soft tissue problems (MRI's won't).

I understand peoples concerns with having any sort of test done,
however we don't help anyone if we increase their fear by repeating
horror stories we all have heard.

YMMV of course....

back to lurking -rk

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