Tue, 11/03/2009 - 07:33
Hello All
Hi all! I've been researching discograms and ran across this forum. I've had lumbar back pain for many years - and it's getting worse. I've been doing the various injections and radio frequency treatments and none of them are long-term effective. My doctor asked me to consider a discogram. He said it was painful and that I might have worse pain for several weeks afterwards. I haven't decided. What I really want is to know exactly what the problem is. I know I have scoliosis and stenosis. Any suggestions from you back pain warriors?
Thanks!
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I am not a doctor nor do I play one on TV.
Hiya and welcome to the site. I myself have not had this procedure, but have heard it is painful, but the few ppl I have spoken with who have had it, did have pain, but I don't recall the several weeks of it, hopefully more ppl will respond to this.
I guess if you really want to know what the problem is, and your doc has run all other tests, this may be the one that will show you what is going on.
Again, welcome to the site
Eve
acdf C5-6 & C6-7 with all the fix'ins
Myelopathy
Tarlov Cynst S2
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Welcome to Spine Health. It basically all boils down to how badly you want to get the right diagnosis so you can get the right treatment. If you trust your doc and he feels this is the best way to figure out what the problem is ... at least he is honest about the fact it will cause increased pain for a while! Many docs tend to leave that tidbit of information out when they discuss the procedure and need for it.
"C"
"The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain. "
- Dolly Parton
hi and welcome to the forum.
we are here to offer you support and answer what questions we can. i am not famaliar with a discogram but you will find someone who will come by who is. check out the "Back and Neck surgery" forum. it may hold some answers for you as well. 
good luck and i hope you are feeling better soon. Jenny 
Double laminectomy L4-L5, bulging discs, DDD, Bone spurs, nerve damage in left leg and hip, DJD, and that to familiar visitor,arthritis
done and it is what helped to diagnose a major part of my spine problem. It will be very painful IF the disc is the culprit. If you do not have a problem with your disc it will hardly be painful at all. I guess it just depends on what you are willing to do to get to the root of the problem as to whether you have it done or not. Keep us posted on what you decide to do and good luck.
I am in no way associated with the medical field. Anything that I post comes from personal experience only.
DDD, Facet Arthropathy, DJD,Collapsed Disc, Sleep Apnea
PT, Epidurals, Facet Blocks,Medial Branch Block, Rhizotomy,Discogram,Annular Tare L3/L4 Endoscopic MicroD and PLDD,
Methadone, Percocet, Baclofen, Welbutrin
I had a discogram this past July. Although my Surgeon knew the problem, I had to have it done for Insurance purposes.
For many who don't know the exact cause of their pain, a discogram may be the only answer.
Yes, it is painful, but only for a short amount of time. My Dr. injected a pain killer into the discs as soon as possible. I had a great afternoon, pain-free!!
Ask the Dr. for more potent painkillers; I had worse pain at the injection sites for about a week. At 10 days out I was back to my "normal" amount of pain.
Lisa
I hope you are consulting with a fellowship-trained spinal specialist. This can be an orthopedic spinal surgeon or a neurosurgeon who have received additional training in spinal surgeries and who devote their practice to issues of the back and neck.
I didn't need a discogram because my issues were obvious. They don't like to do them unless absolutely necessary for a proper diagnosis because it is an invasive procedure.
The people I know who had one had increased pain for a day or two afterward. It is a worthwhile test if your doctor believes it is necessary.
Good luck getting a proper diagnosis.
Gwennie
spondylolisthesis at L4-5; stenosis at L3-4 and L4-5
radiculopathy for about 3 years
PLIF (L4-L5)in Jan '08 (PEEK cage, rods & Screws, BMP); continued radiculopathy....
Lami-foraminotomy L5-S1 Jan '09; continued radiculopathy;
Bulging discs L3-4 & L5-S1; crazy screwed-up S1 nerve
***** I have no medical training and am in no way connected with the medical profession, other than doing my part to keep them at full employment. My posts are based on personal experience and knowledge gained through the adventures of living. Take them for what they are worth....
Hello All!
I have just been told that I have no disc between c6-c7 and very little between c5-c6 (3 whiplashes) the doc recommends replacing disc with trabecular metal implants, which is done through the front of the neck. Has anyone had this done or know anything about it? I appreciate your response... thanks, Ram