Guest guest Posted June 30, 2002 Report Share Posted June 30, 2002 Hi, I can answer some of your questions about CT myelogram. I have flatback caused by Harrington Rods which were put in in 1977. About 1 1/2 years ago I began to notice a numbness in the toe next to the smallest toe on my left foot. Since then I've noticed worsening numbness in my foot and leg and the left side of my butt. Doctor suspected the rod may be pushing on a nerve, so he ordered a myelogram followed by a CT scan. I had this done 3 weeks ago. I was very scared to have the myelogram because one I had 25 years ago was very painful (I got a very bad headache and throwing up from it.) The doctor, N.P., P.A. and nurses all assured me that procedures are vastly improved now. Well, they were really right! The myelogram procedure was not bad at all, no more painful than getting a shot of novocaine at the dentist. It was done on outpatient basis. I got to the hospital about 9:30 in the morning, and was back home by 2:00 p.m. I suspect mine took a little longer than average, so yours may go faster. It was performed by a physician's assistant. Apparently my original fusion was so solid that she wasn't sure if she would be able to find a spot to insert the needle into my lumbar spine and had to consult a radiologist who recommended she insert it into the side of my neck (cervical myelogram instead of lumbar myelogram). Someone will have to drive you to hospital and back home. I was so nervous I accepted their offer of a little valium type medicine (can't remember the name) beforehand. One weird thing was that at one point in the middle of the myelogram, both of my legs involuntarily jerked quite violently almost at the same time. They said this was normal, but it sure startled me. I wish they had warned me in advance that that would happen. I rested for the rest of the day. They told me not to lie totally flat for at least 24 hours, so you'll need some pillows to prop you up at like a 30 degree angle. I was extra cautious because of my previous problem, so I didn't lay flat for three days. I was able to drive by the afternoon of the next day. My upper body was a little sore to the touch for a few days, and my neck has a little residual numbness, but neither was too bothersome. I'm a big baby about stuff like this, so if I say it's not bad, it's really not bad. If you have any questions, please post again or email me directly at lcmelko@.... Good luck with it. Loriann > Last week I had an appt with my Original Scoliosis surgeon from 1974. > (Org. curve w2as 75+ corrected to 12) I was very relieved to find out > that he thinks my troubles may be due to the lower hook on my > harrington rod more than flatback. It appears that the hook is > interferring with the spinal canal and causing a pinched nerve hince > the pain in my left leg and ankle. He has scheduled me for a mylegram > this next Tues followed by a CT scan to help clarify his suspesions. > I am curious if any one else has had some of the flatback problems > occur due to the hooks on their Harrington Rod. If it is indeed the > rod and hook causing the trouble he plans to remove 2inches of the > rod and the hook to take the pressure off the spinal canal and > hopefully decrease my pain in the process. I also am wondering about > the mylegram --I have never had one before and wonder if it is > painful and what is the time involved in the actual test. any answers > you can give me would be helpful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 3, 2002 Report Share Posted July 3, 2002 Loriann, Just wanted to post to let you know I made it thru the mylegram. It was a bit painful mostly the contrast material felt hot and seemed to burn a bit. I did real good until they tilted the table to a standing position-my left leg went numb and my hip really starting aching. The technician hurried to get the necessary pictures but what was probably only 30 minutes seemed like hours. After the mylegram I had a CAT scan which was a breeze in comparison. Then I was placed in a room for 8 hours at 30 degree angle afterwhich I got to go home. Once I got home I was confined to lying flat in bed for 16 hours--glad my time is up. I had a slight headache this morning but otherwise feel fine. Next Tuesday I will meet with the Dr. to determine what the next steps are. I am curious have you received anything on your results yet. From your post it sounds like we both have similiar history with the Harrington Rod. My Dr. signed my form for a Handicap parking sticker- Kinda put my husband in shock to see it said I had a Permnament Disability. I think he thought it was a fixable thing. Well good luck and I hope you are getting some answers!!! DEE > > Last week I had an appt with my Original Scoliosis surgeon from > 1974. > > (Org. curve w2as 75+ corrected to 12) I was very relieved to find > out > > that he thinks my troubles may be due to the lower hook on my > > harrington rod more than flatback. It appears that the hook is > > interferring with the spinal canal and causing a pinched nerve > hince > > the pain in my left leg and ankle. He has scheduled me for a > mylegram > > this next Tues followed by a CT scan to help clarify his > suspesions. > > I am curious if any one else has had some of the flatback problems > > occur due to the hooks on their Harrington Rod. If it is indeed > the > > rod and hook causing the trouble he plans to remove 2inches of the > > rod and the hook to take the pressure off the spinal canal and > > hopefully decrease my pain in the process. I also am wondering > about > > the mylegram --I have never had one before and wonder if it is > > painful and what is the time involved in the actual test. any > answers > > you can give me would be helpful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 4, 2002 Report Share Posted July 4, 2002 Hi Dee, Sorry to hear your myelogram was worse than mine. I was thinking about you, and am glad it's over for you. Did you have a lumbar myelogram? Hope you'll post again after you get your results. My CT myelogram results show that I have some kind of problem with my left L5 nerve (lumbar). Spine surgeon says that would cause pain in my left leg and foot. I explained to him that I really don't have pain there, just numbness and a funny tingly feeling. (Although he didn't come right out and say it, I'm thinking with the way my luck runs, I imagine pain there will eventually occur.) He said the only way to fix my flatback is to have revision surgery. I didn't question him on what was causing the nerve problem or if the revision surgery would also fix the nerve problem. At this point I don't really need to know that yet, as I was mainly having the tests done to find out if I could go ahead with my planned hip replacement surgery (for bone on bone osteoarthritis/congenital hip dysplasia). Spine surgeon feels nerve problem should not get in the way of hip replacement and that hip replacement should come first before I make decision for flatback revision surgery. Speaking of hips, I feel that any flatbackers with hip pain should also get their hips x-rayed. I got a handicap parking sticker about 3 years ago for my hip pain and immobility. I love it. I figure if I'm stuck with these disabilities due to no fault of my own, at least I deserve to park close to stores! As far as your husband's comment, flatback IS a somewhat fixable thing -- but unfortunately it takes a huge surgery and recovery to fix it! If it makes him feel any better, my husband and I are also having trouble accepting all the crap (excuse the nasty word) that comes with my having flatback, too. Hope you can both find some pleasure out of life despite your troubles. When I get depressed or feeling sorry for myself, I try to remember that there are a lot of people worse off than me, and I just concentrate on thinking good thoughts for us all. Take care, and feel free to email me directly if you ever need to at lcmelko@.... Loriann -- In @y..., " elaine64075 " <Deemoma@a...> wrote: > Loriann, > > Just wanted to post to let you know I made it thru the mylegram. It > was a bit painful mostly the contrast material felt hot and seemed to > burn a bit. I did real good until they tilted the table to a > standing position-my left leg went numb and my hip really starting > aching. The technician hurried to get the necessary pictures but > what was probably only 30 minutes seemed like hours. After the > mylegram I had a CAT scan which was a breeze in comparison. Then I > was placed in a room for 8 hours at 30 degree angle afterwhich I got > to go home. Once I got home I was confined to lying flat in bed for > 16 hours--glad my time is up. I had a slight headache this morning > but otherwise feel fine. Next Tuesday I will meet with the Dr. to > determine what the next steps are. > > I am curious have you received anything on your results yet. From > your post it sounds like we both have similiar history with the > Harrington Rod. My Dr. signed my form for a Handicap parking sticker- > Kinda put my husband in shock to see it said I had a Permnament > Disability. I think he thought it was a fixable thing. Well good > luck and I hope you are getting some answers!!! > > DEE > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Last week I had an appt with my Original Scoliosis surgeon from > > 1974. > > > (Org. curve w2as 75+ corrected to 12) I was very relieved to find > > out > > > that he thinks my troubles may be due to the lower hook on my > > > harrington rod more than flatback. It appears that the hook is > > > interferring with the spinal canal and causing a pinched nerve > > hince > > > the pain in my left leg and ankle. He has scheduled me for a > > mylegram > > > this next Tues followed by a CT scan to help clarify his > > suspesions. > > > I am curious if any one else has had some of the flatback > problems > > > occur due to the hooks on their Harrington Rod. If it is indeed > > the > > > rod and hook causing the trouble he plans to remove 2inches of > the > > > rod and the hook to take the pressure off the spinal canal and > > > hopefully decrease my pain in the process. I also am wondering > > about > > > the mylegram --I have never had one before and wonder if it is > > > painful and what is the time involved in the actual test. any > > answers > > > you can give me would be helpful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 5, 2002 Report Share Posted July 5, 2002 loriann262000 <lcmelko@...> wrote: Hi Dee, Sorry to hear your myelogram was worse than mine. I was thinking about you, and am glad it's over for you. Did you have a lumbar myelogram? Hope you'll post again after you get your results. My CT myelogram results show that I have some kind of problem with my left L5 nerve (lumbar). Spine surgeon says that would cause pain in my left leg and foot. I explained to him that I really don't have pain there, just numbness and a funny tingly feeling. (Although he didn't come right out and say it, I'm thinking with the way my luck runs, I imagine pain there will eventually occur.) He said the only way to fix my flatback is to have revision surgery. I didn't question him on what was causing the nerve problem or if the revision surgery would also fix the nerve problem. At this point I don't really need to know that yet, as I was mainly having the tests done to find out if I could go ahead with my planned hip replacement surgery (for bone on bone osteoarthritis/congenital hip dysplasia). Spine surgeon feels nerve problem should not get in the way of hip replacement and that hip replacement should come first before I make decision for flatback revision surgery. Speaking of hips, I feel that any flatbackers with hip pain should also get their hips x-rayed. I got a handicap parking sticker about 3 years ago for my hip pain and immobility. I love it. I figure if I'm stuck with these disabilities due to no fault of my own, at least I deserve to park close to stores! As far as your husband's comment, flatback IS a somewhat fixable thing -- but unfortunately it takes a huge surgery and recovery to fix it! If it makes him feel any better, my husband and I are also having trouble accepting all the crap (excuse the nasty word) that comes with my having flatback, too. Hope you can both find some pleasure out of life despite your troubles. When I get depressed or feeling sorry for myself, I try to remember that there are a lot of people worse off than me, and I just concentrate on thinking good thoughts for us all. Take care, and feel free to email me directly if you ever need to at lcmelko@.... Loriann -- In @y..., " elaine64075 " <Deemoma@a...> wrote: > Loriann, > > Just wanted to post to let you know I made it thru the mylegram. It > was a bit painful mostly the contrast material felt hot and seemed to > burn a bit. I did real good until they tilted the table to a > standing position-my left leg went numb and my hip really starting > aching. The technician hurried to get the necessary pictures but > what was probably only 30 minutes seemed like hours. After the > mylegram I had a CAT scan which was a breeze in comparison. Then I > was placed in a room for 8 hours at 30 degree angle afterwhich I got > to go home. Once I got home I was confined to lying flat in bed for > 16 hours--glad my time is up. I had a slight headache this morning > but otherwise feel fine. Next Tuesday I will meet with the Dr. to > determine what the next steps are. > > I am curious have you received anything on your results yet. From > your post it sounds like we both have similiar history with the > Harrington Rod. My Dr. signed my form for a Handicap parking sticker- > Kinda put my husband in shock to see it said I had a Permnament > Disability. I think he thought it was a fixable thing. Well good > luck and I hope you are getting some answers!!! > > DEE > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Last week I had an appt with my Original Scoliosis surgeon from > > 1974. > > > (Org. curve w2as 75+ corrected to 12) I was very relieved to find > > out > > > that he thinks my troubles may be due to the lower hook on my > > > harrington rod more than flatback. It appears that the hook is > > > interferring with the spinal canal and causing a pinched nerve > > hince > > > the pain in my left leg and ankle. He has scheduled me for a > > mylegram > > > this next Tues followed by a CT scan to help clarify his > > suspesions. > > > I am curious if any one else has had some of the flatback > problems > > > occur due to the hooks on their Harrington Rod. If it is indeed > > the > > > rod and hook causing the trouble he plans to remove 2inches of > the > > > rod and the hook to take the pressure off the spinal canal and > > > hopefully decrease my pain in the process. I also am wondering > > about > > > the mylegram --I have never had one before and wonder if it is > > > painful and what is the time involved in the actual test. any > > answers > > > you can give me would be helpful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 30, 2009 Report Share Posted April 30, 2009 Bonnie, I agree with you 100%. I had a doctor perform mine, with a technician to assist him. They were so kind and considerate and explained the importance of using the smallest needle possible. I had mine done at a hospital that does a lot of orthopedic and spine work. That might have helped my situation as well. Above all, don't be afraid to ask the facility you are going to what their experience level is, that's a key factor. Jeanne [ ] CT Mylegram Hi D, Over the years, the question of whether a CY Myelogram is painful has come up many times and the answers have varied all the way from absolutely not, to absolutely yes. I think it all depends on who is performing the myelogram and where it's being done. It should be done at a facility that is using the most modern, meaning the thinnest, needles. It should be at a facility whose staff recognizes that it can be painful to lie on your stomach and provides pillows to help. Most important is the person who is doing the myelogram. You need someone who has done many of these on deformed, fused spines. When I was scheduled for a myelogram, I learned that a tech would do it. I nixed that and insisted upon an interventional radiologist who is known for handling the most difficult cases. It worked for me. I had no pain. Bonnie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 1, 2009 Report Share Posted May 1, 2009 My surgeon requested I see a very specific interventional radiologist. He knows my " fear " and said he is putting me in very good hands, and I trust his opinion. Heck, I trust the man with my life -literally. I'm just being a big baby for reasons that don't even make sense to me! D (RI) > > Hi D, > > Over the years, the question of whether a CY Myelogram is painful has come up many times and the answers have varied all the way from absolutely not, to absolutely yes. I think it all depends on who is performing the myelogram and where it's being done. It should be done at a facility that is using the most modern, meaning the thinnest, needles. It should be at a facility whose staff recognizes that it can be painful to lie on your stomach and provides pillows to help. Most important is the person who is doing the myelogram. You need someone who has done many of these on deformed, fused spines. When I was scheduled for a myelogram, I learned that a tech would do it. I nixed that and insisted upon an interventional radiologist who is known for handling the most difficult cases. It worked for me. I had no pain. > > Bonnie > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 3, 2009 Report Share Posted May 3, 2009 , I was pretty scared before my CT/Myelogram too. It could have been a lot worse, but it wasn't fun. Being on my stomach was hard, and while the needle itself felt like hard pressure, I did get all sorts of weird nerve zaps. My joint was so tight the radiologist had to try twice to insert the needle. I really felt that being on my stomach, as kyphotic as I was, was forcing that joint as far back as it would go. Maybe it wouldn't have made any difference, but when I expressed the thought that a different position would work better, the doctor came across as somewhat brusque and impatient. I'm glad you're being sent to the guy with kid gloves. I guess I should have acted more fearful! The rest of it was a piece of cake. I got to try out a hospital bed and food for a couple hours, then Hubby drove me home and I took it easy. It was an hour drive, and I don't remember reclining but I might have. I had no headache. Dr. Rand had said beforehand that we over-40's are less likely to get them because our cerebrospinal fluid doesn't flow as freely. I did experience dural leaking after my spinal cord surgery, and fortunately the pain meds kept the headaches from being extreme. It was a real sick sort of headache, and one time after trying to eat sitting up I vomited before even feeling nauseous. So follow the post-test instructions, but chances are you'll do fine. Sharon valerie_delaney wrote: My surgeon requested I see a very specific interventional radiologist. He knows my "fear" and said he is putting me in very good hands, and I trust his opinion. Heck, I trust the man with my life -literally. I'm just being a big baby for reasons that don't even make sense to me! D (RI) > > Hi D, > > Over the years, the question of whether a CY Myelogram is painful has come up many times and the answers have varied all the way from absolutely not, to absolutely yes. I think it all depends on who is performing the myelogram and where it's being done. It should be done at a facility that is using the most modern, meaning the thinnest, needles. It should be at a facility whose staff recognizes that it can be painful to lie on your stomach and provides pillows to help. Most important is the person who is doing the myelogram. You need someone who has done many of these on deformed, fused spines. When I was scheduled for a myelogram, I learned that a tech would do it. I nixed that and insisted upon an interventional radiologist who is known for handling the most difficult cases. It worked for me. I had no pain. > > Bonnie > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 3, 2009 Report Share Posted May 3, 2009 Thanks Sharon. The office in which Dr. Glazer has referred me, seems attentive. The nurse asked me very specific questions about my flatback and laying on my stomach and assured me that they would definitely giving me a sedative and would allow pillows under me for comfort. She said they would do anything they could to make it as " tolerable " as possible. There isn't much more I can ask. Thanks for your account. D. (RI) > > > > > > Hi D, > > > > > > Over the years, the question of whether a CY Myelogram is painful > > has come up many times and the answers have varied all the way from > > absolutely not, to absolutely yes. I think it all depends on who is > > performing the myelogram and where it's being done. It should be done > > at a facility that is using the most modern, meaning the thinnest, > > needles. It should be at a facility whose staff recognizes that it can > > be painful to lie on your stomach and provides pillows to help. Most > > important is the person who is doing the myelogram. You need someone > > who has done many of these on deformed, fused spines. When I was > > scheduled for a myelogram, I learned that a tech would do it. I nixed > > that and insisted upon an interventional radiologist who is known for > > handling the most difficult cases. It worked for me. I had no pain. > > > > > > Bonnie > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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