discogram

[flash316]

Scared out of my mind .Dr. wants this before surgery on fusion of lower back im freaking .Can anyone help. Thank you

[flash316]

Well thankyou for confirming that it was a different procedure i am scared more if this i feel than maybe the actual surgery.my nerves are skyscraping with the thought of needles in my spine can not fiind much to occupy my mind enough to relax.....but as dates become avail i will keep you all updated i thank everyone for there support.
                                                                                                  Flash

[Mollyrae]

Hi Lainey:

After reading your comment I went back through my medical records and discovered that I had actually had a Myelogram. Not Discogram. I knew that I had been put under and was not aware of even going into the operating room. I do apologize to both you and flash for the mis-information. I really thought it was a Discogram.

My best,
Mollyrae

[Lainey356]

Hi Tuckamore

I had a 3 level Discogram and I too was terrified. I'm not sure how Molly doesn't remember because the purpose of the exam is to see what level is causing the problem and the way they determine that is by seeing which level/levels react the most to the pressure (dye).  I'm guessing they gave her a lot of versed, lol.  And you see, that is exactly what they will do. When you go to the OR, they will give you a bunch of stuff to sedate you so that you will only be slightly aware of what is going on. And, while the procedure is painful, the truth is that you are so loopy that if you remember it, you will only remember saying OUCH, you won't actually remember being in any kind of terrible pain. Like the other folks said, Just let your doc know that you are afraid, and I'm sure he will take good care of you. And try not to worry, It really wasn't that bad I promise!

[flash316]

Thank you very much...........it comforted me on what you said a bit but pain on pain i exp already doesn't sound fun

[Tuckamore]

Hello Flash,

Welcome to the Pain Management Forum. If you are afraid and seeking information and support you have come to the right place. Our members usually speak from personal experience and are supportive. Mollyrae has offered you some good insight into the procedure and her experience.

I have not had one but this is some information that I was able to gather. An intravenous line is started to provide you with sedation to avoid reactions or sensations you may experience to the procedure.

You will be placed on a specialized table around which a fluoroscopic (x-ray) unit is positioned. Your back is then marked with an ink pen over the disc spaces that will ultimately be examined. Your back is thoroughly cleansed and sterile drapes are applied. The fluoroscope will also be sterilely draped and the discographer will be in a sterile surgical gown. You may have some soreness at the needle site for several days following the procedure.

A a discogram is a preoperative study designed to determine if an intervertebral disc is a pain generator. The initial needle placement need not be painful.  Some physician insist on this procedure prior to surgery, apparently your has. This should be comforting as he sounds like he was to be sure that the surgery will produce the desired effects.

Please discuss this with your physician. I'm confident he will want you to be comfortable and not afraid. Learn all you can so you can make an educated decision. Please keep in touch and let us know how you are doing. We all learn form one another.
Peace, Tuck

[Mollyrae]

Hello flash and welcome to the Pain Forum.

I have had this procedure done in the past and I was scared too. Because of the use of  Dye and having to inject it into the spine, I had discussed the possibility of the Doctor actually putting me asleep while the test was being preformed. The Doctor had no problem with this.
They will give you something to relax you but in my case, that wasn't enough. You have to remain absolutely still and I wasn't sure that I could do that. I don't know how you react to pain and what your threshold is but because my threshold is minimal, putting me under was the best option for everyone involved.
Please make sure that you discuss all options with your Doctor. Tell them that you are very nervous about the procedure and ask them what might be available in terms of making things more comfortable for you.
I can't tell you anymore about the actual procedure because I was out like a light.
Please take care and if you have anymore questions, feel free to contact me.
Good luck,
Mollyrae