Hello Poollady,

WELCOME to this forum!!!

If in your spinal fusion they used titatnium rods and screws, then it is my understanding that you can have an MRI taken rather than a myleogram.

However, if they used stainless steel, then you cannot have an MRI and will need the myleogram.

In any case, try to relax. Talk with your doctor about your concerns.

I wish you the best. Do let us know how things go for you.

We will be thinking of you on the 28th.

RichT

Hi,
Thanks for the encourgement. I have had a MRI and CT Scan, but they did not show what the dr. is looking for. I have titatnuim and screws and can still have MRI's. My GP gave some meds to help calm me until the test and then suggested what to take before leaving for the test. Hopefully that will calm me, so far it has helped some. The pain in getting worse so I am starting to just want to get the test over with and get on with whatever is going to have to be done. My Doc said mostly likely surgery again, this time through the back, the last one was through the front of the neck. I am wondering if anyone has had a repeat surgery through the back of the neck, is the recovery any longer? Thanks for any info. And thanks for the reply.
Poollady

Hello Poollady,

Thank you for the additional information which you have shared with us.

I hope the additional testing will provide the doctor with the information that he/she is seeking.

I hope those who have had similar surgeries will respond to your request. Okay people, now is your opportunity to help someone.

My thoughts and prayers are with you.

RichT

Hi poollady ~

May I ask what levels of your cervical spine you had fused? From your post I would say you have a cervical plate correct?

I am sure they are doing a Myelogram rather than the MRI because they will get a much better view with out all the artifact that they would get from the hardware used in your fusion surgery.

I have had both Anterior Cervical Fusion (2 surgeries) and Posterior Cervical Fusion (1 surgery). My cervical spine is fused from C3 - C7. I have a plate and screws anterior and rods and screws posterior.

Just an added note: I have also had 4 lumbar surgeries (3 posterior & 1 anterior) and I am fused from L3 - S1 with 4 anterior BAK cages and posterior rods and screws. Sounds like a mess hey?? Sounds bad but I have tosay I am doing pretty well condsidering. Don't I wish.

My guess as to what they are looking for is stability and or slippage of the fusion site/s. They may also be looking at the cervical spine above and below the fusion site as well for the same.

Your neck has a lot of weight to hold so stability is a very important issue.

Yes, the posterior cervical fusion surgery recovery was longer and harder for me than my 2 anterior were. If you want to talk more let me know.

Shirl

Hi Shirl,
Thanks for the post. I have a fusion of C5 & C6. The Dr. said he is looking for C6 Nerve Root problem. I did not understand completely, and was taking pain meds so I did not ask more, he may have explained more but I can only remember so much expecially with pain meds. He is great to explain. But he left the next day on Vacation and will not be back until Aug. 4.
Sounds like you have been through much of this before. Did you have a myelogram? What was it like, that is what has me upset and not wanting to get the test done.
I am also having problems with L5-S1, have a fracture and bone spurs. Have not even talked with the dr. about how to fix, it is constant aches and pain, even feels like pelvic cramps, but it is the low back pain.
Thanks for sending a post, I read lots of posts but not sure about how they relate to this problem.
Poollady

Hi, I had the myleogram on Monday and it was the worst procedure I have ever been through. I had a resident placing the needle in my spine while the head dr. gave directions. Never again. The picture did turn out good and I have some results. I have arthirtis from C3 - C7, with narrowing. My ortho-spine specialist is call me on Monday with a plan. I am just waiting for Monday. And by the way, when they moved the table around during the myleogram, they injured my back and I have been out of work for a week, and don't know when I can go back, laying down and taking meds is about all I can do.
Make sure the myleogram is a last resort test and ask for meds to make you not care or sleep. Something so painful in this day and age you should not have to go through with nothing but numbing meds, that do not completly numb to the spine. Sorry for the length, I am still upset and can't believe this is still done.

Thanks for reading,
Poollady

Hi poollady ~

I am so sorry your Myelogram was painful. Just like you mine was as well. When I had mine done they did both the cervical and lumbar spine. I ready didn't expect it to be as painful as it was. I was surprised to say the least. The best way for me to say the way it felt when they tilted the table was like extreme pain pressure to the area that was lower. It felt like that area would explode. I am not sure if I am using the right words to get the way it felt across. To hard to explain.

If you would like to talk more please send me a PM (Private Message) if you want. I know you must be very nervous. I know I was. Just know you are not alone. You will find that there are not a lot people with so many levels of the cervical spine fused. Any time you need to talk I am here. I may not always answer quickly but I will try.

Hope to hear from you.

Shirl

Hi,
My Dr's assistant call on Monday and said he did not see any problem with the c-spine myleogram pictures. I asked what about the tingling in my hands and they suggested I consult a hand specialist for Carpal Tunnel, I was diagnosed in 1999 with this, but have never had anything done to correct the problem and I has never bothered me enough to have it fixed.
I had to ask about my lower back and she said let try another round of steriods and see if that helps. I feel like they have given up on my problems and want to send me to someone else. But on the other hand I forgot to ask what about the neck pain.
Today, the steriods have helped the neck pain but have done nothing so far for the back, I was feeling bad today again. I am also getting night sweats and a low grade fever yesterday and today. I am trying to decide if I call the dr. again or just wait it out, 4 more days till I will be off the steriods.
Any ideas?
Thanks,
Poollady

I too think it was bullcrap that all you get is some lidocane to numb the area, I asked repeated times for some versed due to my aniexty and was denied, I'll never let a myleogram happen again. I had the puncture done at L2 and I ended up with spinal headaches, I had to have a blood patch done days later and multiple ER vists, ER docs kept telling me I had influenza and headache, even with my carry out sheet from the procedure. Not a fun thing at all !

Please, how soon after a fusion can you have a myleogram? I have had 2 MRI's, one before and one after and am in excrutiating pain still after 6 months.

First MRI was very detailed(dessecated? disks, facet arthritis, narrowing of foramin, spurs; second one showed said no narrowing, did not mention facet arthritis or spurs. It's been 7 months!!!!!!!!!!!! Pain is excrutiating.

Drs blow me off and so do family. I can hardly sit upright for over 2 hours. (61 and retired for 3 years)

NEED HELP FAST11111111