Newbie - Discograph question

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UKbobby

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Hi all, been searching for a while and came across these forums so here's my problem.

In June 2006 I was injured at work and after 2 MRI scans and consultations I have now finally seen a nurosurgeon. He has told me that I have two central disc prolapses at L4 and L5 with nerve root compression and need a discograph.

He has pretty much told me that I need surgery but need the scan to see how badly damaged my discs are.

I've done a bit of checking and this procedure sounRAB painful. Can anyone who has had this please tell me how bad it is.

Also i'm on 100mg of tramadol and 30mg of amitriptyline. Is this a lot as I am now beginning to feel as though this isn't really doing a lot and I've started waking up again at night in pain.

Thanks
 
Killercop,
Saw your post and wanted to say I have had 2 discograms done both at the same level as your speaking of plus more and yes they are very painful
I would not recommend having it done unless you are serious about having surgery other wise it would not be of any help.
I also would not recommend surgery except as a last resort, I would try any other non-invasive measures before even considering surgery.
Good Luck,
Linda
 
Thanks for the response.

I really don't want surgery but feel I have to as I have had enough. I used to lead an active life and can't anymore I feel so restricted and just want to give anything a try.

I have tried everything to relieve me of my pain. Acupuncture both western and asian this made me worse. I've had phsyio and tried exercises but these again just make it flare up.

The only small relief I get is when I sleep and once again this is now becoming a problem.
 
A discogram will be able to best show the doctor if those discs that are prolapsed are actually causing you pain. Some people have bulging disc that cause them no pain. I have one! I used to cause me alot of pain, but I was 18 when that disc started giving me problems. I am now 46. It's still there and bulging but does not cause me pain.

The discogram is extremely painful but worth every bit of moments of pain it may present. (I was not given any sedation or pain reliever during my testing). Some doctors give sedation during the test to the point the patient is mostly lucid, but doesnt remeraber much of the test. My surgeon believes by doing that, it can produce a false positive or negative result, because the patient just isn't completely in charge of their mind/body. But many docs sedate and surgeries go fine.

For me, this test actually found my source of pain and as I mentioned above, they all thought it was that disc causing my pain. When in fact, it was the next level up that looked normal on over 3 years of MRIs. But it was actually blown and badly leaked to the point that there was nothing left inside the disc. It was but an empty shell waiting to collapse at anytime. This level (L4/L5) was fused and the bulging disc was left alone.

Hope this helps you some. Let us know how you do.
 
Killercop,
I understand 110% how it is..
Please know though that surgery is not ANY guarantee of relief of pain, any Dr that tells you it will stop your pain is blowing smoke, there is the small percentage that it may help.
Please research all you can find on your spinal problems and then always get at least 2 opinions and then by spinal specialist..

Also discograms are very painful, the Dr's can not put you out as you have to be awake and alert enough to tell them exactly what and where you feel anything when they inject you disc.

Linda
 
I had 2 discograms done before each of my fusion surgeries.
Yes, it is a very painful procedure, but all of us went through this and survived... Just remeraber that this test is like a map for a surgeon: when he goes in he confirmes what exactly neeRAB to be done during your surgery. MRI and CT are good tests, but they don't show everything as accurate as discogram does.

Think positive, honey, and you will be OK. Does not take that long and before you realize - you are done. Will be some pain after procedure for a while, but nothing unberable.

Best of luck to you!
 
The way I always describe my discogram was yes it was painful, bu no worse than the worse pain I had ever had with my back. And it is necessary for diognostic purposes. And sorry for the bad spelling, lol, but hurrying to type.
 
I can't believe that there has been no improvement in how Discograph's are taken. That there still so painful.
20 years ago when I had my first herniated disc, I was petrified of having to have this test. I refused to have it- and slowly got better with out surgery.
And now all these years later, its still a bad test....
Come on its 2008, they need to fix this!
 
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