I am scheduled for a discogram this
Friday-the 13th no less. I have already
had a cervical fusion at C 5-6 and a
thoracic lamenectomy. Now I have MRI
results that indicate changes at C 4-5 and
C 7 T1. I have had two epidural
injections with moderate relief. I need
to know ASAP how painful the discogram is
and if it is worth the pain.
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lonestarguy
Active User, Really EHEALTHy
Joined: 21 Jun 2007 Posts: 591 Location: , Hoosierland, USA
Thanks: 10
Thanked:1
Discogram Posted: 07-11-07 08:50am
hello....boy did you find the right
person! I had a discogram about a year ago
to pinpoint my pain so that I could have a
lumbar fusion. As it turned out, I didn't
get the fusion because of the spacing
problems with my discs.
On to the discogram. Sounds like a simple
easy procedure, huh? As much as I want to
paint a rosy picture, the procedure was
the worst pain I have ever had! I know
that is not what you wanted to hear but
reality sometimes hurts. I also had a
cervical laminectomy a long time ago so
I'm a complete mess.
I'm sure the procedure does what it is
supposed to do but the way it works seems
almost like a medieval torture device.
Just to compare pain--I have many epidural
injections, nerve blocks, radiofrequency
ablation, kidney stones, four major
operations (including a thoracotomy),
broken kneecap and torn ankle ligaments.
And the pain from this discogram was right
at the top.
I am sorry that you are still battling the
pain--sometimes it seems like a
never-ending journey. I hope this helps
you decide how to proceed and I'm sure you
can see that discograms are not my
favorite thing to have done.
lsg
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Round1
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 02 Jul 2007 Posts: 5 Location: Ireland
Posted: 07-12-07 13:12pm
Are they painful, yes, not pleasant at
all. You also have to be awake for it so
you can let them know when you feel the
pain and there is no mistake you will feel
it. Are they worth it ??? it depends on
what route they have planned for you, i
have had a fusion so i needed one, to
identify which disc was painful as there
was no bulging discs, but two were
degenerative and I was in extreme pain.
