Which way to go? Epidural or discogram?

So i just had 2 MRI'S one on my lumbar spine and another on my cervical spine. I had a herniated disk 3 years ago, and since then have been having all kinds of problems. Anyways.... my lumbar spine mri shows that i have a ruptured disc , i also have moderate nerve damage at S1 L5 according to my neurologist. I was given 4 options... 1. epidurals, 2. discogram, 3. nerve shock therapy, and 4. surgery. I have no clue which way to go....I know all of them are going to be painful. I need some advice or guidance...

[pofdog]

    Never heard of a "discogram".  Isn't that a dance that went out in the 70's?  Or some kind of letter before the united postal service?...lol....had to throw that in...

    It sounds like your nerves are pinched. Myself, I have been through enough many times with this back sh*t.  I go directly to the MRI and surgery.  Skip the torture.

[aldejavu]

I never heard if a discogram either....its where they put a needle in your  back into the center of the disc.  Dye is then injected into the disc, and if injecting the dye recreates the patient

[cali54]

Discogram is not a procedure.  It's a very cool xray that shows nerves.  It isn't a solution for anything.  It does hurt like heck after the numbing stuff wears off for that day only

[Tpm419]

A discogram is a procedure that tests which disc is causing your pain. A needle is injected into the disc which fills or swells it with fluid. If the disc recreates your pain then they found the problem disc. I have had a cervical discogram that found 2 bad discs plus a third bad disc but wasn't causing me pain. A CT scan usually follows the test.
Epidurals are only a temporary fix if at all

Good luck to you

[Tpm419]

Discogram is indeed a test procedure to determine which disc is causing the pain. I have had a cervical discogram that did show 2 discs were producing my pain. That gave the doc the go ahead for cervical fusion with instrumentation.
Epidurals are only a temporary fix if anything. I had a series of 3 (the maximum for the cervical) and found no relief.
Good luck to you

[istinkalot]

What did you end up doing and what were the results?
I too am supposed to have a discogram July 10 and was wondering what to do.

istinkalot