Saw my doctor today , "discogram" !!!

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deviphish

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Hello to all , Hopefully some of the OL` GanG is reading this - - - I NEED ADVISE.. Here is my surgical history , I had 2 back op's in the last 5 years..

* Laminectomy in 2004 - l2-l3 , l3-l4 , l4-l5 , l5-s1

* Posterior fusion in 2008 - l4-l5 , l5-s1

I have been in a great deal of pain now for about 3 months , Had fusion in Feb. of 2008.. My lower lurabar area is on fire , lots of pain and nurabness in my right foot + toes.. I saw my doctor 1 1/2 months ago and he ordered me to get a follow up ct/scan and MRI.. The ct/scan came back with a solid fusion at both levels , and the MRI showed a disc bulge and DDD at l3-l4 levels (nothing to crazy).. I new from previous tests (discogram , mylogram , MRI , EKG etc..) that my l3-l4 level was and could be a problem down the road , but the other 2 lower levels were the more severe areas.

Long story short , I saw my doctor again today & he has scheduled me up for a discogram on the l3-l4 levels on THURSDAY (very soon !!!) He wants a more solid look at this level , and he thinks that DDD is the answer to my pain as a small herniation is present as well.. We then spoke about the sollution and more surgery might be needed ! He mentioned a possible fusion @ l3-l4 level or ADR :artificial disc replacement: I'm trying not to look to far ahead , but my pain is at 7/10 right now We obviously have to wait till the results come in after the discogram "which I'm not excited about"

I would appreciate any feedback that i can get concerning this , MORE SURGERY !!!! Is A D R safe ? Is a ADR safer or a better approach after all ready having a 2 level fusion , rather then having another fusion done.. My doctor said , pending on the test report if I will be a candidate for ADR - If i do need more surgery..

THANKS FOR LOOKING BILLY boy :dizzy: :wave:
 
I just want to know what kind of Doctor can do the Discogram ? Right now I only know Pan Management or Intervention Radiology can do it , but I heard some other doctors ( Ortho or Neuro) can do it also and doing it just before the surgery ( at same time) , but I haven
 
Billy Boy I am so sorry to hear about your tests. I never had a discogram but I hear that it really gives valuable information. I can't help you with the ADR but I went back and looked at some previous posts here on the health board and it seems to be a lot of controversy regarding the procedure. At least you don't have to wait long to have your test. I am praying for you and I hope your pain will get better. Keep us informed.

Gentle Hugs to you
Linda:angel:
 
hey 6 2 2 ~ My P,M doctor is doing this procedure.. I have had a couple all ready by him , and works closely with my other doctors. I never heard of a neuro or a ortho doctor actually doing the discogram , only heard of pain mngt. doctors doing them.

I think as long as you trust your P,M doctor , and you no that he/she works with your surgent in charge - every thing will be fine.. I have been going to the same P,M doctor now for about 6 years , so the whole trust factor is there..

DEv
 
Billy, I haven't had a discogram either, but from what I've read here, it's a very valuable test. It's also painful as all-get-out. But just about everyone who has posted about it has said that even though it's so painful, they'd do it again if necessary because it's so valuable in pinpointing the exact source of their problem.

If this means another fusion, well, that's certainly not what we had all hoped for you, but you can do it! You know what to expect, and you'll do what you have to to get your life back. Maybe you'll get to spend more time with those kiddos who adore you so much! I know you'll find the bright side and wade through this. I almost hope the discogram shows you DO need another surgery, just because a solid answer and a solution brings so much hope for relief.

I don't know anything about the ADR. Maybe you can make a list of questions for the doctor about it, the pros and cons of ADR versus fusion.

Billy, we'll be here for you. Sorry I can't give you a big hug in person, but I'm thinking about you and wishing you the best. Please let us know what happens with the discogram on Thursday.

Warmest regarRAB,
Emily :wave:
 
Hey Billy Boy!!!

Hopefully this response makes sense. I am in alot of pain right now but wanted to respond to you and let you know that a discogram is well worth its weight in gold.

I think the discogram should be named screamogram !! :eek: I won't lie, that you will experience intense pain during the procedure but the information gained from the discogram is worth it 100x's more. When they did mine before this last surgery, a perfectly innocent level leaked dye out everywhere and caused my normal pain but at an intense level. The level my doc was suspicious of did not generate pain. It just goes to show you that the quiet ones can be the pain generators and the ones that look bad can be good.

As far as the procedure itself, when you come in they start an IV, they don't give you meRAB before the procedure, they have you lie on your stomach, and in my case they strapped me down to the table. They cleaned off my back and talked to me and they said that I would feel some pressure and it was not really that bad and they put in nurabing meRAB right after they injected the dye into the disc. Then they did not tell me and injected another level and I let out a scream or two and the dr yelled give me more nurabing meRAB. He added it and the pain went away quickly. Then he went and tested other levels and the cycle repeated itself.

After the procedure was over they gave me a good dose of narcotics, monitored me, and sent me home with extra meRAB.

After the procedure be prepared, you will have higher than normal pain and into the next day maybe even two days afterwarRAB. If you work, I would plan on taking off the next couple of days or don't make any appts/meetings because you might need to cancel them.

My afterthoughts on this procedure is that I will never have back surgery without one again because of the results. They confirm that the area they believe is the problem is the problem in fact. This is well worth the pain 10 times over.

Let me know if there is anything else you want to know. I will not sugar coat anything. The test is PAINFUL but the pain is WORTH it.
 
Hi! deviphish,
I think you are right, the question is that you have to find a PM doctor who works closely with other doctor or surgent. if not, the surgent maybe not pretty trust the Discogram report , you will waste time.
I have another question about PM doctor to you but can't put here, I will send to Private Message to you tonight.

Thanks!
 
Hi Billy, it's Tara M from the other discogram thread. I am really curious to know more about ADR since that is one of the two options my surgeon has discussed with me (and fusion). I have tried to learn as much as possible about it, but it is so new and there are still clinical trials going on. I would need it at two levels, which most surgeons won't do. If what I am reading though is true, ADR sounRAB like a great option especially since you are already fused at two levels. It seems like the two biggest advantages are 1) no hindered mobility and 2) no additional stress on other levels like a fusion can do. That being said, it is still so new!!! The oldest ADR is only 17 years old, and there have been instances where the ADR has worn out and needed to be replaced. There is still so much more to be learned about ADR longterm.

After my disco tomorrow I meet with the surgeon the following Monday to discuss my options. In my head I keep going over which I would choose, the fusion or ADR, and I truly am torn.

Please keep us informed of anything you learn about ADR and ultimately what you decide. If you don't mind me asking, I see you are in NJ like me and I was wondering who your doctor is?

Tara
 
THANK YOU EVERY ONE !! What ever happens - happens , I need to get out of this pain.. It starting to really get in the weigh of things , and is constant pain.. Emily and Linda , I'm glad that you are both here on this board - always having good advice.. The kid's keep me young at heart , and always get my smile on !!!!! Linda are you having any relief today or what ? I hope that you are... Looks like i may be getting more surgery at the l3-l4 level , duno YET.. Like Emily said I'm almost hoping that this test comes up positive so I can get some answers , I think I no what the next step is..... . ... I will keep a positive attitude and look at the brighter side of it all , need this pain to s t o p.

Tara my doctor's are located in central NJ , ware are you located ?
DR. ROSENBLUM (NEURO) - Shrewsburry NJ > He did my lamenectomy
DR. PHAIR (ORTHO) - Red bank NJ > He did my fusion

Dr. Phair and I spoke about the ADR surgery only yesterday , I never really did that much research about this.. He did say that , IF I NEED SURGERY - I might be a candidate for artificial disc replacement.. He said the same to me , since I am all ready fused at 2 levels ; ADR would might be more help full because the increased mobility , and it does have a rocking motion.. It's crazy that I'm here even talking about more surgery Tara , I did not expect this yesterday when I went to go see my docotor - - I thought a build up of scar tissue was the cause of my pain (lol) SHOCKER... Like you , i will have my discogram done and then go my doctors for follow up and see what they recomend (I trust both doctors very well) GOOD LUCK to you as well , I hope you all the best with your procedure & I'm here if you need to chat :\
DEv
 
ScReAmoGrAM ;; LOL !!
Thanks pepper , i appreciate all the advice and TRUTH FULL honesty HAhaaaha..
I no how these tests work and they show ware your pain is really coming from , and that they do HURT indeed. I'll be o.k , like i said : i just need some answers : I now when it's all over with that it will be worth it , and i will get some results !

Hope all is well with you peppa , hopefully you got some salt in your st ep ! lol. I let you no how the test went and how LOUD i screamed , i'll give those nurses a run for there money

DEv
 
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