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Neurology (Expert Forum)
erectile dysfunction post myelogram.
This forum is for questions and support regarding neurology issues such as: Alzheimer's Disease, ALS, Autism, Brain Cancer, Cerebral Palsy, Chronic Pain, Epilepsy, Fibromyalgia, Headaches, MS, Neuralgia, Neuropathy, Parkinson's Disease, RSD, Sleep Disorders, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury.
erectile dysfunction post myelogram.
by vetorama, Oct 26, 2001 12:00AM
Hi there. Approx. 6 to 7 wks. ago i had a cervical myelogram which detected severe herniation with nerve compression at C7. After the myelogram i had nausea,vomitting and severe headache. The headache was the typical post lumbar puncture,but it lasted 12 days,despite caffine etc(was not able to get the blood patch due to Sept 11th etc).
Since the procedure i have a dull ache in the lumbar region,tingling and numbness in my toes at times, but worst of all,erectile dysfunction!As you can imagine,this is pretty devastating and to me,the test has become much worse than the cure.Any ideas? Have you heard of this before?
I did then have fusion of C6-C7,but now i still have numbness in the lateral 3 fingers of right hand accompanied with right shoulder discomfort when right shoulder is even minimally elevated,is there something that could cause nerve inpingement in the right shoulder area?
Sorry to ask 2 questions,but i'm concerned about both.
Since the procedure i have a dull ache in the lumbar region,tingling and numbness in my toes at times, but worst of all,erectile dysfunction!As you can imagine,this is pretty devastating and to me,the test has become much worse than the cure.Any ideas? Have you heard of this before?
I did then have fusion of C6-C7,but now i still have numbness in the lateral 3 fingers of right hand accompanied with right shoulder discomfort when right shoulder is even minimally elevated,is there something that could cause nerve inpingement in the right shoulder area?
Sorry to ask 2 questions,but i'm concerned about both.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-JT, Oct 27, 2001 12:00AM
Although I have not personally seen this happen, impotence has been reported in the medical literature following myelogram with contrast material called Abodril or methiadol sodium, but is RARE. It's likely due to irritation of the spinal cord roots and subsequent inflammatory reaction called arachnoiditis. But another question is: could all the other complications of N/V severe HA, etc... be a psychologic cause of the impotence? Once everything resolves, it's quite possible that your erectile dysfunction will also improve.
As for the numbness in the "lateral 3 fingers" (this would mean the thumb, forefinger, and middle) it's in the right distribution for nerve damage from the C7 herniation. This means that the nerves coming from the C7 area of the spinal cord control or provide sensation to those fingers.
My advice to you would be to see a neurologist for both problems. A formal neuro exam would be very important to evaluate the degree of complications from the myelogram in your legs and point you in the right direction for management of the disc herniation. Best of luck.
As for the numbness in the "lateral 3 fingers" (this would mean the thumb, forefinger, and middle) it's in the right distribution for nerve damage from the C7 herniation. This means that the nerves coming from the C7 area of the spinal cord control or provide sensation to those fingers.
My advice to you would be to see a neurologist for both problems. A formal neuro exam would be very important to evaluate the degree of complications from the myelogram in your legs and point you in the right direction for management of the disc herniation. Best of luck.
