Disc above surgery is failing

[tpm]

Hello again
I knew it was just a matter of time. Had my surgery back in March of '07 for a C5-7 fusion with instrumentation and have been feeling worse as each day passes. I managed to go back to work for about a year and a half but just couldn't take it anymore. My latest MRI showed some issues with the disc above my surgery site as well as the disc above that. I believe my Doc wants to fuse my C4-5 at the moment but has me checking to see if a discogram can be done post surgery. He also states that the ex-rays show it is going to be a very tight area to get a needle in.
I'm guessing at this point if the discogram will make him decide on doing one or both discs.
Anyone have a discogram post surgery? I wil call Tuesday as Monday is a holiday
I really hate going back into the system even though I really have no complaints and have been more fortunate then most.
Also how is my range of motion going to be with an additional fusion or possibly 2

Thanks everyone and Be well

[Still in Limbo]

Hi tpm!! It's Good to Hear from You, but I'm Sorry of the Reason You are Writing. What is Happening to You is what is Bound to Happen to me, it's Called the Domino Effect. When a Disc is Injured, the Disc above has to Take on More Responsibility, and when that Disc Degenerates, the One above has to Take over for the others, and so Forth!! That's one of the Main Reasons I can't Return to Work or Lift over 5 lbs, because the 4 Discs above My L5/S1 Region are Dried Out and Bulged, and any Sustained Lifting Bending or Twisting is going to Cause those Discs to Fail! Be Very Careful and Listen to Your Dr.'s, I Wish I could Answer Your Questions, but it hasn't Happened to Me Yet. Please Keep Us Informed, and I Hope they can get this Stabilized!!!

[oblivyous]

A discogram is when they inject meds into the discs to try and duplicate the pain of the bad disc. They use this method to try and recreate the pain to see which disc is the bad one. I had one yrs ago and it was not a pleasant experience nor was it useful. If the Dr puts in to much meds it will automatically irritate the discs , good or bad. The dr who did mine forced to much dye into L5/S1 and i almost flew off the table. He documented the disc was bad yet the MRI didnt pick it up & all the other Drs i saw stated there was nothing wrong with it. I was told the Dr forced to much fluid into the disc and thats why he was able to create pain. the discogram didnt verify or point out any REAL problems .

[jayne]

ok I had one done at a pain center..it was not a picnic but I went back the following week and had one done on my back (first one was done on neck)they put me in a light sleep and done the test I wasnt under enough to not feel all the pain but enough that they got what they needed right after they sent me for an MRI that showed the failing discs....Mine was done after my fusion but they also found excessive scar tissue and refused to do another fusion on my neck or the fusion on my lower back.....You may have to scale your life down a bit...my advice I have heard that test is very painful if not done in a pain center.....so ask for a pain center for your own wellbeing....

[hurt at work]

i had one done and its not fun,but that set the stage for surgery as they found what discs were causing the pain and problems.truest me it hurts but if it will help find the problem as it did for me then get it done so you can get the care you need before things get worse.hurt

[tpm]

Thank you all very much. Maybe I didn't explain myself correctly but I did have a discogram back in January of '07, just before my surgery. You guys are right when you say painful. When I first went in they started tying me down as I was on my stomach but I knew from what I read I should have been on my back. Once correctly getting hog tied I must say that was almost as painful as the procedure.
I was asking if anyone had the discogram post fusion surgery because my surgeon said it may be more difficult to do with an existing fusion and plating.
I am also having it done in a hospital. I'll let you know how I make out

Be Well

[tpm]

Hello again
I have an appointment for Nov. 11th for my discogram and back to the surgeon Dec 5th. If he still wants to do the surgery I guess it will be around Christmas time. Would anyone know if a disc is leaking fluid will it still show pain in a discogram? From my previous discogram that disc didn't hold the fluid when I went in for my CT scan.

Thanks and Be Well

[jayne]

yes that is what they are looking for...

[tpm]

OK Jayne thanks
Last discogram that leaking disc didn't cause pain. Guess I'll just have to wait and see

Be Well

[Bummer Knees]

I had a discogram last fall. The CT scan done after the discogram show a leaky disc, marked grade 4.

At the time of the discogram this disc was not one that caused pain.