Y
yakkwak
Guest
I also posted this question under Spinal Disorders. I have four levels fused in my neck and am about 7 months out from my last (third) cervical surgery. The docs are just now focusing on my chronic lurabar pain. I have a pacemaker so cannot do MRI's. Yesterday, I had my 4th myelogram. Twice before, I've had to have blood patches. The good news is it looks like I've avoided needing another blood patch this time. The bad news is it was very painful - think they kept hitting nerves. I had neurogenic syncope twice yesterday during the procedure, that was relieved when the doc repositioned me into a prone position. I started sweating all over - buckets; and got very sick to my stomach, and was in semi-passed out state. My blood pressure dropped. I think that if I hadn't had my pacemaker keeping my pulse up at 80 bpm, I would have been out cold. It was the most painful myelogram I've ever had. This procedure was for a second opinion (with a neurosurgeon). My orthopedic surgeon believes that I may need surgery for a broad based central posterior disc protrusion at L5-S1 and smaller bulge above it at L4. The ortho doc has me scheduled for a discogram in 6 days which is supposed to be more painful (purposefully) than the myelogram. But I am shell-shocked, so to speak and AM V*E*R*Y AFRAID. Is a discogram really necessary after two CT's (one a myelogram CT) , and x-rays? I plan on calling the ortho Monday and B-E-G him not to require me do the discogram in order for him to fix my spine. I am also facing a deadline as my better insurance policy expires the end of August. The other insurance has many thousanRAB of dollars in deductables (pretty much only good for major catastrophy). ANY feedback is VERY much appreciated! I've had 3 cervical surgeries (two anterior and one posterior) and somehow the surgeries seem much less scary than the discogram!!!!!!!! I am getting upset just thinking of going through it.