Please post your myelogram experiences

[trkdoc714]

Justin,

I hope relief comes your way soon. I've been dealing with back pain since 1983 when I was rear ended by idiot in 1971 Buick LeSabre (voted drunk driver car of the year 4 years in a row) that folded my car in the shape of a tent. That was followed up by a head on with a drunk in 1986.

I have a very high threshold for pain. I've taken as many as 12 sutures without anesthesia on a few occasions. I was at work the day after the Buick collision. I have NEVER experienced the kind of pain as I have in the last 3 years from the back problems. This is the first time I've had to take opiates for pain. It never seems to end and with the limitations of the doctors I've seen, no end is in sight.

The things that keep me going are my wonderful wife, my beautiful 2 year old son, my grown children and grandchildren.

These great things I've been blessed with are well worth any pain I have to put up with. I had a great example when I was growing up. My Grandmother was an arthritic cripple since she was 9 years old. She raised 5 kids (one of them mildly handicapped), helped raise some of her grandchildren, always had a clean house, hosted Sunday dinners beyond belief and prayed every morning and night for her blessings. I never heard her complain once that her fingers, toes and joints were almost useless and constantly giving her agonizing pain.

I completely understand your agony and wish a miracle could happen for you to be healed.

The great thing is that even through all of this, you continue to offer support and knowledge. When you become a practicing physician, you will be a great one. You'll be able to understand and treat with deep compassion patients like us that have constant pain. I have every confidence you will be an integral part of a breakthrough treatment to relieve pain via a procedure or cure for your chosen field.

Maybe God chose these afflictions for us to help us appreciate life. I truly believe He doesn't put more of a burden on us than we can handle and you've been a great example for a lot of people, both in person and on this (and that other) forum.

Keep the faith Justin. This too will pass.

Bob

[Justin]

Hey Bob,

Thank you so much for your support and kind words. You sound like one tough SOB. My father-in-law always comments on how I should have been Catholic with all the self-penance I put myself through.

Anyway, your Grandmother sounds like she was an incredible person.

Thanks for your post...yesterday I was in a "funk" with my pain. I truly appreciate the life that God has given me and the trials and tribulations I have been through, as I know they have shaped me into the person God wants me to be. I do look at my surgeries and car accidents of the past as opportunities. However, there are days like yesterday where it's easy to throw in the towel when you are feeling like crap.

This too will pass, indeed. Thanks again Bob and I will continue to pray for you and your wife.

Life is truly beautiful.

Originally Posted by trkdoc714

Justin,

I hope relief comes your way soon. I've been dealing with back pain since 1983 when I was rear ended by idiot in 1971 Buick LeSabre (voted drunk driver car of the year 4 years in a row) that folded my car in the shape of a tent. That was followed up by a head on with a drunk in 1986.

I have a very high threshold for pain. I've taken as many as 12 sutures without anesthesia on a few occasions. I was at work the day after the Buick collision. I have NEVER experienced the kind of pain as I have in the last 3 years from the back problems. This is the first time I've had to take opiates for pain. It never seems to end and with the limitations of the doctors I've seen, no end is in sight.

The things that keep me going are my wonderful wife, my beautiful 2 year old son, my grown children and grandchildren.

These great things I've been blessed with are well worth any pain I have to put up with. I had a great example when I was growing up. My Grandmother was an arthritic cripple since she was 9 years old. She raised 5 kids (one of them mildly handicapped), helped raise some of her grandchildren, always had a clean house, hosted Sunday dinners beyond belief and prayed every morning and night for her blessings. I never heard her complain once that her fingers, toes and joints were almost useless and constantly giving her agonizing pain.

I completely understand your agony and wish a miracle could happen for you to be healed.

The great thing is that even through all of this, you continue to offer support and knowledge. When you become a practicing physician, you will be a great one. You'll be able to understand and treat with deep compassion patients like us that have constant pain. I have every confidence you will be an integral part of a breakthrough treatment to relieve pain via a procedure or cure for your chosen field.

Maybe God chose these afflictions for us to help us appreciate life. I truly believe He doesn't put more of a burden on us than we can handle and you've been a great example for a lot of people, both in person and on this (and that other) forum.

Keep the faith Justin. This too will pass.

Bob

[Terry Allen Blackburn]

Hey Justin:

I've been busy with the; "Little patient" lately so I did not notice your post. Elizabeth is a much better patient than I am and she is doing fine. She has happy pills that are making her disposition tolerable. It's hard for her to laugh though, which makes it difficult to live with me. I am a constant jokester so, it is so difficult to be serious around her.

I am sorry that you are going through such a horrible time. Where is the pain located? What did the results say from the myelogram? Is there going to be something that can be done for you? This has been so discouraging to see you decompensate from where you have been. I am hoping and praying that you can get back on track and become the neurosurgeon you are meant to become.

Your friend,

Terry Newton

[dshobbies]

Justin,

Pain is a humbling equalizer but it teaches humanity, something some doctors never fully appreciate. You will make a wonderful, very compassionate doctor. You will understand and appreciate your patient's fears, concerns and hopes.

I'm hoping the lastest episode resolves itself and you're able to put your pain in the back of you mind. And just for the telling, no one I've ever met has a 'normal' spine

Please take care, Dale

[runner]

Justin,

You figured out before who I was. Cannot hide anywhere. Just joking.
I hope you feel better.
I am also interested about what the docs tell you because I have had the sciatica/radiculopathy/numbness (c**p) in both legs for five months. Now, I am getting increased back pain. Reading online there doesn't seem to be a good solution after ADR.
I went to a workers comp doc on Thursday and he was telling me my ADR had failed to relieve my pain. I told him the pain doc told me that L5/S1, below my ADR, has DDD. This doc (chief of neuro) disagreed with me of course. It was disheartening to hear him talk. He totally dismissed lumbar discography and essentially warned me about having any further surgery "because it probably wouldn't work".
He also spoke about getting a myleogram.
My docs haven't even spoken the big "S".
So I was pretty discouraged afterwards. It is tough.

One thing is for sure, is that this will make you a better doc. I wanted to put those discogram needles in the wc doc when he had a painful disc to see if he could tell the difference between a painful disc and one that is not. Ha. Ha.

Rest and hopefully your pain will be relieved soon.

runner

[phylly]

Hi Justin,
Have you finished your medrol dose pack yet? Honestly, mine took over a week to kick in. You may find that you are going to feel a lot better soon. I will think about you feeling better! You are too young and too vital to get knocked down. There are solutions out there, I know your Dr. will find something for you. My hubby and I will be thinking about you along with my 30 year old snowbordering son Justin who feels rather lucky after I told him about you. Feel better soon.
Phylly

[Justin]

Wow, I have to say I am overwhelmed with the support on this forum. To Everyone: thank you for your kind words and support.

I will finish my dose pack today. It has helped, but I am still having extreme pain in my lower back and legs. The pain is very distracting and makes functioning difficult (studying is a world of fun right now too! ).

My Myelogram Results:

Well, my myelogram results demonstrate that there is a possible "smoking gun" to my symptoms. My entire patient profile (through Mark) has been updated and Dr. Bertagnoli will review it shortly (Dr. B and I decided to wait to review my case until my myelogram was done--it took me 8 freaking weeks to get a myelogram ).

On preliminary review of the films, there is a substantial issue that will most definitely have to be addressed in one fashion or another. I will post a film shortly, so people can see what's going on--it's very evident even to the untrained eye.

Once again, God bless everyone for their support. I don't know any other way to put it, but I feel like I am slowly deteriorating--unfortunately, this is reminiscent of my time leading up to my ADR surgery.

[Roblin]

Hi Justin,
What you are going through will no doubt make you a better, more compassionate person and doctor. Most doctors just don't get it but you will and it will make a huge difference for your patients. I understand the hesitancy to try and look to the next 10, 20, or 30 years with spine problems. Just know that better things are ahead and that is what we need to focus on not where we are right now. You are young and will be able to take advantage of all of the new technology just around the corner. Hold on to your faith. It will carry you far.
Bless you,
Linda