Still in pain and will have Myelogram done!

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kyma3

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I just wanted to let everyone know what is going on with me right now. When I saw the Neurosurgeon's PA in June she wanted to start seeing me every 3 months instead of 6 because she thought things just weren't looking right. I saw her this past Wednesday and I told her that I am having a lot of pain (stabbing) in my lower back and it is making it very hard to sit even in my recliner. She did all her testing and said that my left side has gotten considerably more weaker since June. I am also having problems with the right thigh area and if I stand for very long it becomes nurab between the groin and knee area. We also talked about my cervical spine since it is acting up again since my last surgery on it in 2006. A lot of pain and stiffness and I am sure it is good ole Arthur but messing with my sleep now.

She has me scheduled for a myelogram for both the cervical & lurabar spine this Thursday. I will also have an EMG study done on October 22 on both upper and lower extremities. I told her that my left hand has a lot of problems but I knew that back in 2007 after another EMG. I was told there is permanent nerve damage because I waited several years before having my first cervical spine surgery. I never had the carpal tunnel surgery done or the nerve in the left elbow repositioned. I had had the right elbow done in 2007 and I still have a lot of pain so I didn't feel like I wanted to have the left one done but now it has gotten worse. She isn't sure if it might be coming from the cervical spine instead of the elbow.

She did tell me she would rather me have a myelogram done then an MRI because once I have the Titanium in my spine sometimes you don't get an accurate reading because the waves will bounce off the titanium and not give a good and accurate picture. I just told her to get everything done that neeRAB to be done because I am having trouble sleeping and this new pain I have in my lower back is a constant stabbing pain.

I am sure I won't get the results back very quick because they never have before but as soon as I hear something I will let you all know. I told my husband today that I am very frustrated but also my back is hurting so bad.

Gentle hugs to all
Linda:angel:
 
Linda:

Yep, I just had a lurabar ct myelogram done due to hardware. They did an MRI and they could not see anything of value. I've had both cervical and lurabar ct myelograms done. I will tell you that with the cervical they often get the dye into part of the brain and you can expect quite the headache. And, you have to lay relatively flat for 24 hours after the myelogram with no bending and limited in which you are up - this is so that the lurabar puncture they do for the myelogram heals and you can avoid the post myelogram spinal headache. BUT, if you do get the post myelogram headache don't hesitate to ask them to do what is called a blood patch (seals up the area of the lurabar puncture).

After weeks of tests and PT, etc, the lurabar myelogram (2 wk ago) revealed much of what my problem is and it now appears I need to have my prior lurabar fusion (L4-S1) re-done and extended to L3. I had my fusion in 1993 and my hardware is very huge and is part of the problem - along with L3 slipping over L4 right now.

Let me know if you have any questions.
 
Linda, I'm sorry all you've been through hasn't helped your pain. Do you feel like this PA is doing what neeRAB to be done? Do you have confidence in her?

Has disability come through for you yet? That's a whole other issue!

I sure hope whatever tests you and your doctor decide on will shed some light on all this and give some good direction to go in.

Please let us know how it's going.

Hugs,
Emily
 
Linda, I have had several myleograms and each time they have reminded me to try and drink at least 2 quarts of water - :dizzy: - the day before the procedure and at least the same the day of the procedure. This helps push all that dye thru your system and you get to visit the bathroom at least a zillion times too. ;)

I pray that this test goes smoothly for you and that you find some answers you so desperately need. Good luck dear.
 
SpineAz I sure know what you mean about the spinal headaches because I have had that happen before. I ended up having 2 blood patches to take care of it. Luckily I haven't had them happen again and I have had several myelograms but I sure do worry about it. Sorry to hear about more surgery for you but I know you will be glad to get some relief. When are you going to have your surgery? My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Hey Emily I do feel good with this PA but I do get aggravated because I don't see the neurosurgeon unless I am scheduled for surgery. I had trouble with 2 of the other PA's because when I would ask if I had fused they would skip over the question. I finally asked her again in June and told her "I want to know" and she looked in the chart and at that time told me there was a remark from the surgeon stating that I was still healing. She said that means "no fusion yet". That was 15 months after the last surgery. I haven't had anymore x-rays since then so hopefully I will find out something with this myelogram. I did have a myelogram done last year after the surgery and they said there were problems already starting with the disc above. They also stated that I had bilateral foraminal stenosis in the L5-S1 and that is the one that I had the fusion on. Does that make sense to you? I don't know what has started this stabbing pain and I am having so much trouble walking with the pain so bad in my hips and groin area. Yes, I did get on disability last April and I thank God every day. How is your son doing? I am sorry that you are still having problems also. How is your MIL doing?

Hey diet yes they also told me about the drinking, too. I think it is strange about how they told me I would need to lay flat for 24 hours but I live 2 hours away from where I will have the procedure done so I will be in the car. I can recline my seat somewhat but not all the way. I do get nervous when I think about this test even though I have had it so many times before.

I will let everyone know what I find out when I find out.

Thanks again for all the well wishes.
Linda:angel:
 
Hi Linda,
My problem is so different from yours, I really don't know what the bilateral foraminal stenosis would mean from a treatment standpoint. Just sounRAB like more pain to me, sorry to say. :( I'm sure it's helped mentally and emotionally to have disability. At least you don't have foreclosure in your future now, I assume! A weight off your shoulders! I'll be looking for a post from you after you have the myelogram.

My son is coming home. He's medically discharged until the results come back from a blood test for a genetic disorder. We don't think he has it. My other son and I have more of the characteristics of it, and we both tested negative years ago. But it's the Marines. They have to be sure. He's a young man of faith, though, and is handling it all with a great deal of maturity. I'm so proud of him! Mother in law is a new adventure everyday! Keeps me on my toes and is making me see my own sin often! So it's all good! Just because it's hard doesn't mean it's a bad thing.

Hang in there!
Love ya,
Emily
 
Hi Emily,
Thanks for the reply and I am very pleased with the disability. The main problem we will have next year is my husband's health insurance. He is on COBRA from my old insurance and it will only last for 18 months and he has a lot of past medical problems. He is 62 years old and doesn't want to look for another job but I told him he definitely neeRAB to do something before next year. I didn't have any foreclosure problems but I was getting worried about health insurance. He is paying $500.00/mo for his COBRA and I am paying $350.00 for my BCBS supplement plan but what can you do????

Sorry to hear about your son and I pray that everything will work out for him. Did this all start when he had the pneumonia?

I will let you know when I hear something on the myelogram. Today has not been a real good day for me but I am luckier then some.

Love Ya
Linda:angel:
 
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