back surgery .. talk to me.. discogram? pain scared...

[huckster]

about your journey? I have had 1 surgery a little over 5 yrs ago L3, L4 laminictomy.. now L5 S 1 are in question , they are buldging , degenerating , lost height, but because of prior surgery , there not sure of, did the injections no help.. no there going to do a discogram .. ouch your awake ( i am a panicky person) hope they can sedate a little to take edge off.. they are talking up to a 5 level fusion .. 1 year no work (OUCH) cant do that .. the discogram they hope will show more detail and maybe not such a big fusion.
have you ever had ? or know some one with this
thanks

 

[huckster]

bump looking for your experences?

 

[LindsayDunn228]

I had a spinal fusion quite a few years ago. My rods basically run the base of my neck to my tailbone. My surgery was not bad at all. I had the surgery done in July and I was back to school on time that year.

 

[mrsstats]

Sorry I don't have any information to help you but thought you might want to try this website http://brain.hastypastry.net/forums/index.php?. They have a message board and there is alot of spine information and people who have had experience with what you are looking for. Hope it helps.

 

[rascalmom]

Well, I had to Google "discogram", but I think that is similar to what I had before my neck fusion. It was referred to then as a needle fluoroscopy. Basically they but me on an x-ray type table & took a long needle and injected a 'dye' into the discs in my neck to determine the exact cause & location of my problem. It was done at an out-patient surgery center.

I won't say it was a pleasant experience, but it wasn't horrible either. I did have to be awake - they had to have me tell them what I was feeling when they did different things. It didn't take too long - I'd say 30 minutes tops.

Because mine was in my neck (C3 to C6), the worst after-affect was the bruised & sore feeling when I swallowed for a couple of days after the procedure. Otherwise, not too bad.

Be brave - it will be over quickly & this will help them know how to get you feeling better!