CT Myelogram (cervical)

Hi, I have a compressed cervical disc which is causing right arm numbness and severe shoulder pain. They won't give me an epidural unless I have a CT Myelogram because I can't have the MRI test due to my pacemaker. Has anyone had this test? Looked it up online and found one person describe it as medieval torture, so I am a little nervous. The doctor did tell me I might get a headache but it should only last a week. Any info would be appreciated.

9 Comments

Back Problems

by Blue - 2010-12-09 05:12:06

Just to let you know you have my best thoughts for a good outcome for the treatment of your back problem.
I can tell you that my husband went through the same problem last year. He was able to have the MRI and then was given an injection into the problem site to see if it relieved the pain before the decision for surgery was made. Brian suffered crush injury of several vertebrae. As he got older it got worse until he was gradually being paralysed in his arms. Walking was extremely difficult.

He had his surgery a year ago and as he is over 70 the outcome was guarded but it is so great to see my dearest not in pain and his tremors in his hands have disappeared. It was a long haul and he weathered it well. (I think his stubborn character and army background helped!)

Just to wish you a good outcome and to tell you that I know what you are going through. Sincere wishes for the future.

CT Myelogram

by SMITTY - 2010-12-09 11:12:59

Hello Travlin50,

My mommy has me doing a time out (actually I'm having to use my oxygen concentrator for a couple of hours) so I'll tell you about my experience with an epidural injection just in case you can get a headache from it.

I haven't had a CT Myelogram and frankly I don't want one. I do see where they mention a Post-Dural-Puncture Headache as one of the side effects. I had an epidural steroid injection for back pain last year and got what I was told must be a "dural puncture headache." My description was the headache from hell.

However, since I was not told the headache was a possible side effect from the injection I did not know it was connected. Anyway on about the third day Advil was not doing the job an I decided to lie down. Low and be hold the headache was gone in less than 5 minutes. I was aware I never had the headache at night but I just thought that was my good fortune. For the next week I stayed within sight of the bed as anywhere from 15 minutes to a couple hours after getting up the headache would be back.

I found on the Internet that severe headaches could be the result of an epidural injection. Sometimes they would go away by themselves after 1 to 12 months and sometimes a procedure called a blood patch was the best treatment. The blood patch is simple. They take about 25 CC blood from your arm and inject it into the area where the original injection was made. For me some relief was noticed within a few hours but total relief took about 3 or 4 days but it worked like a charm.

I tell you all this not because I think you will need the information but because if you did get a headache you could be like me and not know relief is just a bed away. I don't know about the blood patch if you get a headache from the CT Myelogram.

By the way, my epidural was done by a "green" resident. I did not know he was a resident as he presented himself as Dr. so and so. I just knew he looked very young, but then any one under 50 looks young to an 80 years old.

Good luck to you.

Smitty

web sites

by Island Girl - 2010-12-09 12:12:54

There are several web sites to explain CT Myelogram. Also web sites where people who have had them tell of their experience.
Below are three.

http://www.scoliosisassociates.com/subject.php?pn=ct-myelogram-028

http://www.healthboards.com/boards/showthread.php?t=818950&highlight=ct+myelogram

http://www.healthboards.com/boards/showthread.php?t=763223&mode=linear


CT Myelogram

by ElectricFrank - 2010-12-10 03:12:51

I had a myelogram back in the 1980's for a herniated disk at L5-S1. I was awake during the entire procedure. The whole thing was relatively painless. I'm wondering if the reports of pain aren't from having the back condition and having to lie in an uncomfortable position.

frank

I survived

by travlin50 - 2010-12-10 05:12:29

I had the myelogram and I am now flat in bed for at least 6 hours. The procedure was not fun. 14 years ago I had surgery on my lower back and that is where they wanted to inject the dye for my neck. The problem was that I must have lots of scar tissue and degenerative changes in my lower back that he could not find a space to put the needle in my spinal canal. It took him 5 tries at different levels. Before the last try he asked if I could handle any more or they were going to just stop and I would not have been able to get the exam. I just tried to breathe and told him to just do it. I am having so much pain in my right shoulder and arm, I really need to figure out what is going on. Thank God the 5th time worked. (The Radiologist did tell me that was the toughest one he has ever done-go figure.) Then they tilted the table down so the dye would run to my neck while the tech held my head up so the dye would not go into the ventricles of my brain which would be painful. That hurt. The CT was painless, no problem. Now I just have to pray that I can have an epidural and that it will work. Cervical Spine surgery is not on my bucket list!
Thanks to everyone that responded to my question. I really appreciated your input.

Sandy

Sorry it was so difficult

by ElectricFrank - 2010-12-10 06:12:18

That maneuver you described in the cervical area hurts me just hearing your description. I wonder why they couldn't use anesthesia for something like that.

As for the multiple tries with the needle I don't know what happened. Maybe it is just me. In my case they did have to make several attempts, but it was only a prick. I remember that my concern was that they would hit a nerve which could really make the sparks fly. The doc had a second monitor where I could look down and watch the needle progress. I could see that he was being very cautious.

best wishes and hope it goes well from here.

frank

Doctors skill

by ElectricFrank - 2010-12-11 11:12:31

I asked the doc at the time I had mine about all the horror stories. He said there was no excuse for hitting nerves etc and that it was just a lack of skill. From what I watched on the monitor I could believe him. He pointed out where nerves were located and maneuvered around them. The same for the surgery. He said he would not operate until he had a clear picture of where the problem was.

Funny thing. About a year later I was on jury duty at a trial where he was an expert witness. The judge asked if any of the prospective jurors had seen him as a patient, and half the jury raised their hands.

As for the headache I'm not sure. I had the mylogram on Thurs, surgery on Fri, and had a fairly severe headache on Saturday. A couple of Tylanol blunted it enough to manage. Ever try to get a plain Tylanol without codiene in a hospital. My wife sneaked a couple in for me.

frank

Ugh !!!

by Heidiglassmeyer - 2010-12-11 12:12:15

Glad to hear you made it through that procedure :). I had one three months ago and it is painful as you now know! I hope you have a much better experience than I had. I ended up with the spinal fluid leak and that incredible headache. Ugh! That had to be the worst pain. If you happen to get one, mine came on the following day, go and request the blood patch. It works immediately. Unfortunately I ended up with nerve damage. They were not sure if it was from the myelogram or the blood patch. It was horrible, loss of bladder control, poor reflexes, tingling in my legs, etc. It took several weeks on meds for nerve damage before my symptoms went away. I hope the best for you and pray for no headache :)

Take care,
Heidi

Thanks So Much

by travlin50 - 2010-12-11 12:12:30

Thanks so much for your kind words. Every time he pushed the needle it hit spinal nerves. I thought my legs were going to jump right off the table. I now have pain down my legs and in my lower back. Slight headache but drinking caffeine. He said I must have had spinal nerves wrapped in the scar tissue. It is over now and I need to think positive thoughts. I wish I didn't have to wait for the results. For anyone else that is thinking of having this test, if you have not had lower back surgery and they can insert the needle without hitting a nerve, the test is not too bad. I don't want to scare anyone out of having this done. I am hoping for a positive outcome that will make it all worth it!!

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