Mylogram on Thursday

[jackieg412]

Well I am scheduled to have a mylogram this Thursday. Not t much fun but I hope they can do it to keep this long process moving along. With my spine fused the neurosurgeon wasn't sure if it can be done. However my left leg is having so much of an issue that I am praying for an answer. It is getting very difficult to walk and I am tripping. The guess is either I moved this nerve through some scar tissue or maybe the BMP grew. It appears to be the L5 nerve. The other problem is a partial tare in my hamstring on that side. Can that be a contributing factor? . The other branches of the sciatic nerve seem ok.
I hope to find out because it is getting really difficult to walk and my opposite hip is acting up. I hope it is only from walking different. Enough problems already.
On a side note-- my original spinal fusion is 8 years old today.

[titaniumed]

Jackie, I don’t know why a CT would be difficult after being fused. I guess your neuro means in actually seeing or finding the problem area....

I’m wondering if they will also do a 3D CT.?

Ed

[jackieg412]

Hi Ed I think he means that getting to the spinal cord could be hard. There will be a CT scan after. I hope it is clear enough to show what the problem is. It is getting very difficult to walk. I drag my left leg but the right hip is the one that hurts. I hope the pain is just from walking different.
I also tore the hamstring of the left leg. It is supposed to heal on its own. I'm still waiting!

[jackieg412]

I haven't spoken to the doctor yet but I picked up the radiologist report. It does show some questionable results. There is a mention of a posterior disc bulging at L1-2 area. That is quite interesting as all discs where removed. I have no clue on what that is.
There is also L5-S1 bone spurs and calcific densities abutting existing nerve roots.
I hope it holds some answers including how do you have a disc bulge without a disc?

[titaniumed]

how do you have a disc bulge without a disc?

Jackie, Its called recurrent disc herniation,(rDH)

Ed

[LindaRacine]

Jackie, Its called recurrent disc herniation,(rDH)

Ed

Nope. If the disc was removed, it's something other than a disc herniation. Either the surgical report was wrong (perhaps only part of the disc was removed?), or the CT report is wrong. Maybe what they're seeing is actually a cage or spacer isn't where it's supposed to be?

[titaniumed]

Linda, Here is an article on it.

http://www.cureus.com/articles/3375-...tematic-review

Ed

[titaniumed]

(perhaps only part of the disc was removed?), or the CT report is wrong. Maybe what they're seeing is actually a cage or spacer isn't where it's supposed to be?

Some procedures (Not ALIF) remove the nucleus and leave the annulus material surrounding the cage.....I have read that sometimes its difficult to remove this material close to the spinal cord....

Hard to imagine the remaining material being called a herniation but I guess that’s the terminology.....

Lets hope the spacer didn’t move....Mine have markers on them, so I guess they do move.

Ed

[LindaRacine]

Some procedures (Not ALIF) remove the nucleus and leave the annulus material surrounding the cage.....I have read that sometimes its difficult to remove this material close to the spinal cord....

Hard to imagine the remaining material being called a herniation but I guess that’s the terminology.....

Lets hope the spacer didn’t move....Mine have markers on them, so I guess they do move.

Ed

If they didn't remove the annulus, that would not be considered a discectomy. It would be a partial discectomy. Reherniations occur only when a partial discectomy has been done.

[titaniumed]

If they didn't remove the annulus, that would not be considered a discectomy. It would be a partial discectomy. Reherniations occur only when a partial discectomy has been done.

I see....I hope this answered Jackie’s question....

Its also hard to know “exactly” what was done on each level....and since scoliosis patients have SO many levels done, you actually need someone getting all the information down....I wonder how many surgeons dictate orally, record, then have another doctor write the report? I had around 10 or so doctors who authored my hospital reports. I didn’t even know these other doctors.

When I was having my gall stone attacks, my vascular surgeon had 2 small phone book’s of data on my ALIF. He thumbed through for a minute, looked over his glasses and asked me “Did we leave your gall bladder in?” I got a kick out of that, but he knew....(smiley face)

Jackie, I hope you get some relief soon. I know what it feels like...the burning and numbness is debilitating.

Ed

[jackieg412]

Thanks Ed for your information and support . I have not spoken to either my spine surgeon or the neurosurgeon. I did call in on Friday to neurosurgeon as he was the one that ordered this test. Nobody called back but he is new to me and I am not familiar with his schedule.
I hope they call on Monday. When I picked up the radiologist report the hospital also gave me his office notes. If my spine surgeon is the kind with an ego( and I think he is) he will be very unhappy with the way the neurosurgeon referred to him. And I am in the middle just doing what I am told to figure this out. I do think the mylogram report holds enough information to be of some help. I don't know if I will see the neurosurgeon again but I have a follow up visit with the spine surgeon on Thursday. He did not think my problem was coming from the spine but it appears as if there is questionable problems in the spine.. But I also have a torn hamstring on the same side.
If I am sent to the university of Chicago again at least those doctors work together and don't pull the ego trip. So far the three doctors involved all want to point fingers.
Also I have been having a slight headache from the mylogram. Today I have horrible ringing in the ears. I looked it up and it can happen after the mylogram. I hope tomorrow is better.

[jackieg412]

I had a visit with spine doctor and he doesn't believe there is a herniated disc as they have been removed. He did the neurological tests and no improvement. We are going to do another EMG at the beginning of January and then see what to do. We keep narrowing it down to the L5 nerve just past the spine and before the hip. There aren't any growths on the nerve. Still no answer.

[jackieg412]

This is getting so frustrating. The leg and foot aren't any better but the image of what is not working well won't show up. The new EMG is the first week in January . I imagine that the doctor wants to compare the one from September. The first one I didn't feel . I wonder what this one will be like. I think not feeling it ,isn't good.

[golfnut]

I can't imagine how frustrating this is for you. I hope you get some answers soon.

[titaniumed]

I can't imagine how frustrating this is for you. I hope you get some answers soon.

I agree....I don’t know what to say other than I hope something happens soon.

True sciatica is the pits.....its like being kicked in the hip, by a horse.

Ed