<p>I’m scheduled for a cervical and lumbar myelogram next week. I googled it and found a spinal health forum where I read several pages of horror stories about this test. I finally had to shut it down.</p>
<p>Do any of you have any experiences with this test? Did you ask for or get any sedation, pain medicine, or anxiety medication, etc.? Any residual problems?</p>
<p>My H just got back from his second. They start scary, but were not. He didn’t hurt, had sort of general anesthesia but didn’t get knocked out very far/long. H wasn’t sore or anything after…had a headache for a day. Just go ask questions and try to get a Dr. that has done LOTS of them. This is not a place where you want to be the test dummy.</p>
<p>Some people have reaction to the dye, but it is rare. H wasn’t sure if his headache was from anesthesia or from dye. No complications at all after the headache went away.</p>
<p>Hope they find something simple for you that they fix quick and easy.</p>
<p>I remember my mom having one when I was in high school. I remember her saying it was worse than the surgery, but, of course, that was more than 30 years ago, so things have surely improved. She had migraines and I remember her complaining of the headache.</p>
<p>I’ve had two. I am sure that they will give you something to relax you/relieve anxiety beforehand if you ask. In mine they did a local anesthetic which took care of any pain but the last one was 15 years ago so they may actually do a conscious anesthetic like IV valium these days. I only remember feeling significant pressure not pain. The biggest thing is remaining still during the procedure. </p>
<p>After the procedure it’s really important to remain flat on your back for a few hours post procedure. You lose a little cerebrospinal fluid during the procedure and if you sit up/stand up it can/will cause a severe headache so I’m guessing that they’ll send you to a room to lie flat for a while afterward.</p>
<p>Since we live in the same town I know there are plenty of highly qualified physicians and facilities available so you should be in very good hands. Mine were both done at Presby btw.</p>
<p>I’ve had those and I recall no difficulties whatsoever. Easy peasy.</p>
<p>I recall a warm/flat/metalic feeling inside my body (that they warned) as the dye began to circulate through, a sensation that passed within moments and was no difficulty to endure for those moments. Just an odd feeling.</p>
<p>I think they had me lie still - not constrained, just head down on the gurney-- for an hour following to avoid the possibility of headache. I consider these instructions a great chance to reflect on the Meaning of Life. Don’t be busy that day; you deserve the down-time. </p>
<p>I had to ring for the technician for a warm blanket during the hour of rest, as the rooms with medical machinery are cold to keep the machinery working correctly. Don’t be shy.</p>
<p>I lived with much pain in those days from my back, so any medical opportunity that might lead to any diagnosis to relieve it I looked at as helpful, in general. That attitude got me through a lot of other tests that were truly unpleasant, unlike the ones you’re about to undergo. </p>
<p>Sometimes I used Lamaze breathing techniques when tests were painful, which helped me a lot. But again, this one isn’t among those I recall as painful. </p>
<p>Each person has a different response to pain. Try not to read the worst-case descriptions and assume you’ll feel identically. Each person handles pain a bit differently.</p>
<p>Back in my nursing days (25 years ago) I worked in a unit where many of the patients had spinal testing/surgery done. Yes, you will be given medication so you won’t be in pain or be overly concerned about what’s going on. My patients always thought the laying flat afterwards was the most arduous part of the procedure.</p>
<p>Thanks guys. I appreciate the feedback. :)</p>
<p>I reviewed some websites on your procedure just now. </p>
<p>I had forgotten about the doctor injecting into the back; so to be fair, that was a moment when I felt “pressure” that was for me uncomfortable, but for a matter of moments only. Pressure is not scathing pain; it’s just pressure, as if someone were holding you much too tightly by the wrist for 30 seconds you’d wish they’d let go. And they DO let go. </p>
<p>And that was one time I used Lamaze breathing. Counting out loud also helps! I forgot about that and wanted to advise of it so you won’t think later I was too cavalier. All the rest of my post is still correct by my experience.</p>
<p>I did learn that the websites list things that “might” happen and those that write in their experiences of horror-show proportions are either the rare “might happen” folks, or are most prone to write in order to vent and relieve their upset. Very understandable, but you don’t get folks bothering to write in on spine websites to say, “I had that test and it went okay,” which is basically what I’m writing to you here. :)</p>
<p>I had the myelogram this morning. I have to say it was one of the most uncomfortable procedures I’ve ever had. Because I was having a lumbar and cervical study, they needed me to be wide awake because you have to stand. turn, bend over at various times during the x-ray sequence. Meaning no sedation. I was offered a low dose of xanax, but that would have delayed the procedure, and past experience with low dose xanax told me it wouldn’t really be worth the delay.</p>
<p>The insertion of the needle stung, but was not all that bad. What I found really scary and uncomfortable was the insertion of the dye. It gave me very very weird sensations in my lower body, as though I was being paralyzed. Sort of painful, but more weird and scary. When I had to stand, I was not sure I could, and when they had me move and turn, it was difficult to move my legs. Very strange.</p>
<p>When they tipped the table to push the dye to the neck, that was very painful. As it flooded into my neck, the pain increased. The weird angles I had to hold my head and neck in made it worse. </p>
<p>That said, though very uncomfortable, it was not unbearable or scream-inducing awful. Now I’m home, instructed to lay in bed with one pillow under my head for 24 hours. I can get up to the bathroom and sit up to eat, but no standing for more than a minute or so and no bending over for 2 days. This 24 hour plan has supposedly decreased the incidence of post procedure headaches. So far a little queasiness, but no headache.</p>
<p>Well, thanks to all who responded. It helped to have an idea of the procedure without the hysterical tone of some of the other internet descriptions I read. </p>
<p>eadad, I had the procedure done in the same hospital as you did. I was pleased with the staff there and a friend of mine who is a radiologist had requested my doctor when her mother needed it done, so that was a comforting to know.</p>
<p>I’m sorry your procedure was very difficult on you.</p>
<p>I suppose, as you say, because it involved both cervical and lumbar areas on the same day. Ugh, all that standing, turning and bending during the procedure. </p>
<p>Sorry it was rough and upsetting. Glad for you that it’s over.</p>
<p>Dear Nrdsb4, I just had a myelogram on Monday October 24th, and it was the worst experience for me! The pain I felt when the radiologist placed the needle into my spine…it was unbearable!! He hit a nerve and the pain shot down my leg like a bolt of lightning. I nearly cried and expressed my pain so was given a shot of morphine to help me get through the remaining procedure. Once the dye was injected I felt a sense of “Heavy” all through my back and legs and I thought I would be able to deal with it but once they tilted me downward to let the dye dump in the upper spine…I can not even explain the type of headache and pain that I felt! The doctor then asked the nurse about getting me something else for pain and she have me another shot of morphine. It helped once I was level or propped up some.
Once the test was over I was taken into my recovery area to recline until they retrieved me for my CT scan. That didn’t hurt at all of course but the headache and pain in my back didn’t subside and I knew we had a 40 mile drive home for me to deal with the unknown. I did exactly what I was told and layed in the bed and didn’t get up except for going to the restroom but the next day I was unable to get up! The headache was a killer and my lower back hurts continuously still three days later. I can only assume it is because he brushed a nerve when inserting the needle. I have been taking Percocet in hopes of relieving this ongoing pain. </p>
<p>My follow up appointment with my neurosurgeon is on November 3rd and I hope to hear of some resolution waiting out there to help me. I have a constant headache anyhow and my left arm is numb at times and lost strength a few months ago.</p>
<p>Wow, happygirl, that is a shame. We had our myelograms the same day. I did feel a little “bolt” when the needle was inserted and reached its destination, and I had the same heavy feelings in my leg that you described. When they tilted the table down and the dye went into my neck, that was very painful, but I didn’t have a headache, just pain in my neck and shoulders. I got no medicines at all as I did not have an IV.</p>
<p>Luckily for me, I have had no headache at all. My legs took a while to lose the heavy/weak feeling, but other than that, I’ve been fine. </p>
<p>I think you should contact your doctor if you still have a headache four days later. It’s possible you have a CSF leak, which would need to be fixed with something called a “blood patch.” I would also let him know about your continued back pain.</p>
<p>My doctor got some good information from my myelogram and called me the next day to discuss it, so I guess I don’t regret it, but I sure hope to never have to have one again. As it is, the test confirmed the need for neck surgery, so that’s my next adventure.</p>
<p>I hope you feel better soon!</p>