3 discs hurt, then not the problem??

[cervie queen]

I've had a total of (let me count) 25 (!) levels done, obviously some more than once. and on at least three different sessions a nerve had been encountered prior to pressurizing the disc. Each time brought me off the table screaming "10, 10, 10!!!!!" Boy, was I disappointed to find out that my nerve somehow wasn't where it was supposed to be and it got hit on the way in. Each time I had a discogram, a test level was done in addition to the levels suspected. The only time this was not done was when I had a discogram at the 2/3 level. Since all other cervical levels were fused, there was no level available for a "test", so the radiologist (sadistic S.O.B.) pressurized that one disk SIX times. I tested positive all six times, so I guess she finally believed the disk was bad.

ANd yes, they have done three lumbar disks with a fourth as a test and my original four cervical disks with a fifth as a test.

[paulam310]

Jefferson, I agree with you that damage can be done by the discograms. My 3 level discogram was in a way, harder on my body than my first spine surgery (diskectomy). I felt sick for months and I knew something happened to me. When I saw my new x-ray my cervical spine worsened considerably and my MRI showed small herniation at C5, I didn't have that previous to my discograms. I believe that the discogram did real damage to my already weak disks. Doctors order this test way too lightly. There are real and lasting implications to discograms.

[paulam310]

Judi, I want to mention that another doctor I saw gave me nerve root injections (instead of discogram) to determine if my disk was a pain generator. I was extrememly reluctant at first, I had been injected 3 times by then and I thought that I wouldn't ever allow someone to inject me again, but he convinced me that they were different from my previous injections. I actually felt great with them and of course they didn't injure the disk like the discograms. They numb the nerve root. I think that the nerve root injections are a more accurate and compassionate test that doesn't incur any long term damage.