What's a myelogram like?

[Mojo's Mom]

Anybody had a myelogram? I read a description of the experience on a couple of websites, and it sounds uncomfortable and terrifying (I know, what's the matter with me, I'm going to have this huge surgery and I'm afraid of a myelogram...). My surgeon recommends the test to ascertain exactly what kind of nerve impingement is causing my left leg pain, to see if he can do a small surgery to correct this part of the problem now, well ahead of the "big" surgery.

I would appreciate hearing about any experiences, good or bad.

[LindaRacine]

Anybody had a myelogram? I read a description of the experience on a couple of websites, and it sounds uncomfortable and terrifying (I know, what's the matter with me, I'm going to have this huge surgery and I'm afraid of a myelogram...). My surgeon recommends the test to ascertain exactly what kind of nerve impingement is causing my left leg pain, to see if he can do a small surgery to correct this part of the problem now, well ahead of the "big" surgery.

I would appreciate hearing about any experiences, good or bad.

Hi Stephanie..

I had a CT/myleogram about 8-10 years ago, and really thought it was a piece of cake. There's a very short amount of stinging when the novocane is injected. After that, the only discomfort came from having to spend time on a relatively uncomfortable gurney. I was just given the option of having another CT/myleogram or an MRI, knowing that the MRI wouldn't be as telling because of the type of metal in my implants. I chose the CT/myleogram.

Regards,
Linda

[Mojo's Mom]

Thanks, Linda. I guess sometimes it goes just fine. I've just heard horror stories about headaches afterward. You can always find horror stories about anything, of course.

[jrnyc]

hey Steph
i also had no problem...but i was careful to remain still afterwards for the hours required...that may be the most important direction...to stay flat on your back after the procedure is over, so you don't get the dreaded spinal headache that can be so painful!

jess

[Mojo's Mom]

How many hours?

[osumike]

I had a myleogram in St. Louis back in May. They inject the dye or whatever into your spine, and then do the procedure, which I think is sort of like and x-ray...the problem I had was that after the test, when you have to lay flat for a couple hours, I got a horrible, horrible headache. Well, after it didn't go away after a while, they said I was leaking spinal fluid, which was causing this unbearable headache. So then I had to go back to the myleogram room so they could re-inject something back into my spine to stop it from leaking. So yea, I didn't have the greatest experience with it.

[jrnyc]

hi Steph
i dont remember the instructions now...but i was really afraid of the headache, because my mother once had it, and warned me...so i must have stayed flat for at least 2 hours after the procedure was finished...went home and went to bed about another 2 or so...just to be safe...
the instuctions were probably for 3 hours total...i know i stayed at the X ray place afterwards for a while, with their approval....

if you do as they tell you, you'll probably be fine...

jess

[titaniumed]

I have had several types with different surgeons through the years. Some sites will mention after a lumbar block that they tilt the table to try to get the solution to flow, with mine, I had to roll over on a flouroscope. They either use a stud in the back, IV, or drink radioactive dyes.

I never had any problems at all with any diagnostic tests. They really are pretty easy.

When you lay down on your back, make sure you are comfortable. They will have foam wedges and knee blocks to help with this. Its like laying down in a tanning booth that moves.

Ed

[BadKitty]

Hi, Mojo's Mom!
I had a CT myelogram in August. I tipped the car seat way back on the way home and lay down for about four hours afterwards, and didn't have a headache at all. If you do get a headache from spinal fluid leakage that won't go away, they have you come back and inject a tiny bit of blood into the area of the lumbar puncture (a "blood patch") to seal the leak.

Oh, and have a extra large bottle of water waiting in the car to drink as soon as you leave - the more water you drink (and the sooner), the less likely you'll be to get the dreaded headache. Worked for me!

The lumbar puncture is almost painless, with the only sting being from the anesthetic they inject into your skin first.

One thing to know is that when the inject the contrast material into your spinal canal, the pressure can sometimes cause strong cramping of your legs and hips. No one told me about this beforehand, so it frightened the heck out of me. The doctor said to just "breathe through it" (sort of like labor pains) and it went away in a couple of minutes. If I had expected it, it wouldn't have been so bad. Apparently it doesn't happen to everyone, but it's something to be aware of just in case.

Other than that, the procedure was uneventful, from the tilt-table, to the CT scan, to the Coke and crackers afterwards. It goes by pretty fast.

[LindaRacine]

It's been awhile, but I think they want you flat for a total of about 4 hours (from the time the dye is injected).

[backissues]

On September 20, I had a myelogram and CT scan. I agree with Badkitty that there was some discomfort in my buttocks and legs from the liquid they injected but it went away within an hour or so. It felt more like muscle pain than nerve pain. It wasn't bad. The injection is similar to nerve blocks, epidurals, or facet joint shots. The doctor, tech, and nurses really make sure you keep your head on one pillow so you don't get a headache.

Drink lots of fluids before and after to wash out the dye. The dye is clear so you really can't tell when it is washing through you.

I had no headache.

Irene

[Mojo's Mom]

Thank you all. My nurse friend also told me that I will be absolutely fine as long as I follow the aftercare instructions.

[peachrush7]

I had one last year, and my post op instructions were to lay down for 12 hours. The year before, I had a spinal headache after a spinal tap, (because the stupid nurses failed to tell me you should lay down for the rest of the day and ended up with a HORRIBLE spinal headache that lasted 5 days) and they are to be avoided at ALL costs! Just plan on laying down for the full day you have the injection and you should be fine.

To be honest, it is a VERY uncomfortable test, by far the worst "test" I ever had. But it was a great test to have done because it gives very specific results. It's worth the pain. It's over pretty fast, and like I said, it's worth it.

[Mojo's Mom]

Okay, so do you get them to bring you out to the car on a gurney, or what? And do you have to be lying totally flat or just reclined? I'll be having an MRI that day and no other fixed plans, so it should be doable, if boring.

[BadKitty]

I just walked to the car, then tipped the seat all the way back and started sucking on a bottle of water. When I got home, I walked in the house, and lay down on the bed with a flat pillow for around four hours. Everyone waited on me and it was mahvelous!

To me, the only things that hurt were the anesthetic skin injection and the buttock/leg cramping (which was pretty intense, but short-lived). I think the IDEA of them putting catheters into the spinal canal and injecting stuff was worse than the actual DOING of it. The doctor told me what he was about to do, and what he was doing at all times. And after the injection, the bad part was over - all that was left was the xrays and CAT scan, and they were pretty routine.

OH, I forgot to mention that the pressure of the contrast material causes a strange, muffled ringing in your ears, and you can feel pressure in your head. It doesn't hurt, though; just feels weird.

No, it wasn't fun, and I wouldn't want to have to do it again, but I survived, and you will too. The headache isn't a given - I didn't have one at all, so hopefully you won't either!