Please post your myelogram experiences

[Cheryl]

Had CT myleo on Monday,

When I asked doctor about complications, side effects etc. He said menigitis but rare, and shrugged his shoulder and said the word headache as if to say it would be no big deal. I have to admit that I had read enough to know otherwise but decided to have the procedure anyway.

Headache developed by Tuesday morning.

Its so severe in the am that I have to crawl to the bathroom. Can't take my puppy for a walk, need my husband to stay home to watch the kids.
Had to cancel my 40th bday party on Saturday which a friend put a lot of time and money into. Not that any of this matters - just explaining the severity

Headache subsides a bit my mid afternoon.

Nurse said its my choice to come in for blood patch or endure.

Not sure what to do, I can't take anything worse.

I am so over being a spine patient. Its neverending.

[Roblin]

Justin,
Good luck on your myelogram on Friday. I sincerely hope you have no side effects. I've had 3 and 2 went well and the other I had to get a blood patch and that took care of the issues.
Best wishes,
Linda

[Justin]

Thanks Bob and Linda. Myelogram went well yesterday (no grenades!). I have a very minor headache today. I've been drinking plenty of fluids... I should have the dictated report on Monday.

I hope you feel better Cheryl.

Originally Posted by Cheryl

Had CT myleo on Monday,

When I asked doctor about complications, side effects etc. He said menigitis but rare, and shrugged his shoulder and said the word headache as if to say it would be no big deal. I have to admit that I had read enough to know otherwise but decided to have the procedure anyway.

Headache developed by Tuesday morning.

Its so severe in the am that I have to crawl to the bathroom. Can't take my puppy for a walk, need my husband to stay home to watch the kids.
Had to cancel my 40th bday party on Saturday which a friend put a lot of time and money into. Not that any of this matters - just explaining the severity

Headache subsides a bit my mid afternoon.

Nurse said its my choice to come in for blood patch or endure.

Not sure what to do, I can't take anything worse.

I am so over being a spine patient. Its neverending.

[Terry Allen Blackburn]

Justin:

I'm interested in what the report has to say about your troubles that you have been having. I also had a headache from a previous Myelogram. They had me in the hospital overnight, for the procedure, and had my bed at an angle to keep it from going to my brain. The next morning, I told them what a waste of a hospital bed it was and, they kept me awake all night . As soon as I stood up, it felt like someone had hit my head with a sledgehammer. Ah, the fun stuff we get to experience.

I hope you are well. I am getting ready to bring the patient home.

Terry Newton

[melodyl]

I've had 2 CT myelograms. No serious problems after them, but the first one was a very painful procedure. It was performed by a resident who had a very difficult time getting the needle past all of my scar tissue, bone spurs and hardware. It took him 3 separate attempts and 3 needles. I was about as miserable as I have ever been for almost an hour. Luckily, no headache afterwards. I do remember being warned of the possible dangers/side effects. The nurse I had was wonderful! She advised me to drink caffeinated beverages and keep my head down for 8 hours post CT. About a year later, when my dr. wanted another one....I called ahead and insisted that I needed an experienced dr. No more residents for my poor spine! They got to practice on me once...but not twice! The second CT myelogram was a piece of cake compared to the first one...and again....no headache and lots of caffeine and rest afterwards.

[Justin]

Hey Terry,

I had a minor headache all weekend. Then, on Monday morning I woke up to the pleasant feeling of excruciating pain in my low back and legs. I got a dose pack from my PM doc on Tuesday, and I still feel awful. I just want to curl up in a ball and cry.

I'm getting a massage to help "knock" some of this out of my system. I found a really great deep tissue masseuse that is the best I've ever had -- even better than Bora Bora!

I'm praying for relief...I feel so debilitated right now, and, of course, I have a ton of crap going on. arrghhhh.

PS: how is your wife?

Originally Posted by Terry Allen Blackburn

Justin:

I'm interested in what the report has to say about your troubles that you have been having. I also had a headache from a previous Myelogram. They had me in the hospital overnight, for the procedure, and had my bed at an angle to keep it from going to my brain. The next morning, I told them what a waste of a hospital bed it was and, they kept me awake all night . As soon as I stood up, it felt like someone had hit my head with a sledgehammer. Ah, the fun stuff we get to experience.

I hope you are well. I am getting ready to bring the patient home.

Terry Newton

[trkdoc714]

Justin,

Sometimes those hand grenades have delayed fuses. I hope it subsides soon. That was one of those intense pains that made me wonder if something more serious was wrong. I even had a colonoscopy (I made the gastro doc buy me dinner and a movie first) to make sure it wasn't an intestinal issue.

Bob

[dshobbies]

Justin,

You're hoping your head won't provide you with a death wish, only to have the pain explode in your back. You can't win! I hope the massage works. After my 3 level, I was told no deep tissue massage in that area.

Wishing you pain free days... and nights! Dale

[phylly]

Justin,
I am so sorry that you are in pain from the myelogram. I also had to take a medrol pack and it really didn't work right away, it took about a week for the full effect so hang there. I hope that the test will let you know what is wrong. You may have the report by now and I hope it is not too serious. I wish for the best for you. I am so scared and having my surgery this Tuesday. Please let us know what is going on with you so we can send lots of E-hugs over.
Phylly