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owoman

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 11 Jul 2007
Posts: 1
Discograms-painful?
Posted: 07-11-07 08:26am

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.

Hope this helps.
Round 1
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