Need Answers!

[osumike]

yeah from what I understand, the machine gives a 2d image immediately to the tech. performing it, and then can turn it into a 3d image. When it takes the xray, its almost like youre in a small closet, and it takes the xray all around you. Its pretty cool. Here is a couple links....

www.biospacemed.com

www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lxijQyKLQc

[Doodles]

Mike--Thanks so much for that info. The video is pretty amazing. I hope I get to use it for my year check-up. This should really help what they are able to do for you. Janet

[jrnyc]

wow...very new age-ee! too bad it cant make my crooked back look straight!!

thanks for the info, mike

jess

[RitaR]

I'm impressed with you all's x-rays preop and ten to see your x-rays postop. Keep those coming. It's nice to see how others have been helped. I hope to be in those shoes someday soon.

[JenniferG]

Not sure if this will work Rita, but here goes:

http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/q...dy005Small.jpg

and

http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/q...dy003Small.jpg

and

http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/q...dy004Small.jpg

[jrnyc]

beautiful, JenG...so very straight! amazing...it looks great!

congratulations on going thru it & healing!

jess

[osumike]

Well Im going in for a pulminary function test today...After that, Ill be making an appointment with Dr. Bridwell again to have a myelogram done in St. Louis. I was just reading about those, it sounds like it going to be a real pain in the butt. Have most of you had to have one done too?

[Vali]

I'm still trying to work out how to post mine. Should call my 5 year old step granddaughter!

[LindaRacine]

Well Im going in for a pulminary function test today...After that, Ill be making an appointment with Dr. Bridwell again to have a myelogram done in St. Louis. I was just reading about those, it sounds like it going to be a real pain in the butt. Have most of you had to have one done too?

Mike...

The CT/myelogram I had wasn't painful. It was a little uncomfortable having to get in various positions on a hard table, but the procedure where they inject the dye was a piece of cake. I think you may be thinking of discograms, which are supposed to be very painful.

--Linda

[RitaR]

I think what Linda says is right - probably just uncomfortable badly laying on that hard table for any length of time. I know for me taking x-rays can bring me to tears, especially MRI, where you can't move at all. My back just does not take to laying on that hard table for any period of time at all!

[osumike]

yea rita, the MRI i had to do was absolute torture. I couldnt make it through the thoracic MRI. I had to have them take me out because i couldnt lay still on the table anymore...

[jrnyc]

Hey Mike
i had a myleogram a few years ago..ditto what linda said...i was really scared, but it wasnt bad...& i mean i was TERRIFIED beforehand! but it was not bad...you have to lay still afterwards for a few hours, so you dont get the dreaded headache that can happen with any change of pressure in the spinal column...it can happen with spinal taps, etc...but i stayed still & was fine...

however...if you had trouble laying on a table with a plain old MRI, i worry that the table will feel too hard on your back...i find that part difficult with any procedure requiring laying on those hard tables! i would suggest you try to discuss this with the office of the radiologist you will be going to....

best of luck
jess

[osumike]

Yea...we'll figure something out. I had my pulminary function test yesterday, everything was good. I also got a call from Dr. Bridwells office today. They want me to see a cardiologist out there, too. Anyway, Ill be going back out there from March 2nd thru the 5th. On the 3rd, Wednesday, Ill have the myelogram. Thursday Ill be going into the Operating Room to make sure I fit on the surgery table( I am 6'9"), and he also wants to look at my pedicles with a floroscope. Then on Friday I guess the plan is to discuss the plans with the doc as far as where we go from there. Hopefully we'll set a date for surgery.

[RitaR]

Surely there is some other way to do it rather than to have someone with 100+ deg curve lay on that horrible hard table.

[osumike]

Heading to St. Louis in the morning for a bunch more tests. Wednesday is a CT-Myelogram, Thursday is ANOTHER Echocardiogram, Dr. Bridwell wants to look at my pedicles with a floroscopy, and to see if I fit on the operating rack, AND I have to get ANOTHER MRI of thoracic and lumbar spine. Friday is mettings with the cardiologist and Dr. Bridwell again. Whew! Full schedule!

What I really dont understand is why they need me to do another MRI, since I just had one done a month ago at a hospital near my house. Can they really differ that much from one place to another? Can anybody that has had surgery in St. Louis tell me if they required you to have one at their facility also? I could barely make it thru the last one. Im not looking forward to this at all.