Let's Talk About Myelograms--What was your experience?

[KELLYGIRL]

Hello, I'm having a myelogram this week and I am so scared. I hurt my back a few months ago at work and had an MRI which showed some mild bulging of the discs. Now the doc wants me to have a myelogram.

I'm having pain (sometimes intense - like someone kicked me as hard as they could) in my upper back over and around my cervical and upper thoracic vertebrae. The pain radiates up my neck, to my right shoulder, and up under my Rt. shoulder blade. Almost everyday I have pain and/or numbness down my right arm that radiates to the fingertips. I'm right-handed and sometimes I drop things without even realizing it until it hits the floor.

I'm a Work. Comp. case, but I should still be treated like a pt and a person. I asked the Dr's office if there was any literature or teaching sheets they could give me to help ease my fears and I was told "No". I've researched what I can in books at home and the internet. I even called the hospital where the myelogram will be performed and spoke with the staff.

My question is: Has anyone here had a myelogram (mine will be cervical with water soluble contrast) and can tell me about your experience?

Or does anyone know of a good website to go to?

Thanks!

[NCVegRN]

I am not trying to be flip, but my dog had a myelogram a couple of years ago for a cervical injury. She now has a disc problem lower down. This vet (at a vet teaching hospital) said we should get an MRI - that a myelogram isn't used as much because it can cause inflammation and that an MRI tells you more. So I am curious why your doc is proposing a myelogram after an MRI? What could it show that the MRI didn't?

I really hope whatever your health problem is that it gets corrected!

[jetscreamer101]

It's been several years (about 6 or so) that I had a myelogram. It was done 6 mo. post decompressive lami. I remember having some burning sensation in my leg, but it was tolerable. I've have heard others say they experienced alot of pain with it though. I thought the 2 EMGs I had were worse than the myelogram (in my opinion).