Chickened out!

[spotty14]

The worst part of my discogram was the demoral as it made me sick and very scared even with medication for nausea. It also made me fully aware of what was being done instead of getting sleepy. The reaction to demoral was way worse than the discogram pain. I hope you can get yours done when your ready.

[zoeny]

Dave, I totally understand the fear--I think we all do! I can't speak to the Discogram, as I didn't have one. I'm not sure why not, but Dr. Bitan never ordered one for me. Didn't really have much, if any of L5S1 left, so maybe that's why. BUT, as for outcomes, here I am coming up at my 2 month mark (this Sat) and so far so good. Nothing is perfect yet, but I'm making progress every day. The pain I had post surgery is disapating and I'm getting more flexibility too. I had a fusion/ADR combo, and the recovery is a bit longer than straight ADR but I'm really pleased with the results so far.

I know these "elective" procedures require a lot of soul searching--but in the end your heart and mind will lead you down the right path!

[LBP]

do the diskogram. just ask for the conscious sedation...you'll only feel pain and awaken if the disk is positive as a pain generator, which is very important info and the point of the test! You can also ask for them to prescribe stronger pain meds to take afterwards. Mine hurt bad for a day but the vicodin I asked for made it bearable. (luckily for my first diskogram, they just prescribed the vicodin so that the 2nd time around I knew to ask for it!) I've done it 2x already. If my ins would cover the ADR and a surgeon wanted an updated diskogram, even knowing the pain i'm in for, I would do it in a heart beat. The increased pain in temporary and not something worth chickening out over. Just plan for it, expect it, and in a day or two you'll be back to your normal pain levels.

[livjoyful]

I didnt experience any more pain than normal after my test. Just a sore spot where the needle went into my hip.

[JFerg]

i went through the roof.......cursed out the doctor and nurses. but who is it that writes "knowledge is power" the procedure is just another answer.

[livjoyful]

Dave,
havent heard from you in a bit...did you reschedule your disco yet? Hope you are doing well.

[BACK2BACK]

Hi Dave,
I dont know if this will be of any use to you,it was a case of short term discomfort or getting my life back together not only for me but those who care about me!!!

Well my disco was proformed in Aug of this year,the proceedure was quite painful nothing major,which my consultant warned me about and he told me i would'nt like him for a couple of days afterwards I tell you what he did'nt lie to me The pain level was nowhere near what i had been expecting after hearing about others experiences.

Dave you have got to remember we are all different with our pain thresholds, and we all have fears and worries.

Best of luck whatever route you take!!!!

2 level Aug 06 and SLOWLY GETTING THERE

[Dr. D]

Like others mentioned, my discogram was done under conscious sedation. The doc that did mine has a partner that does them dry (no sedation). Either way, when your pain/disability gets bad enough, you will bite the bullet and get the test done. There is simply no other test that can actually show them what is going on. They gave me a cd of mine that loaded right up on my laptop. If nothing else, I felt vendicated when even I could see the dye exit the disc and press on the nerve. I did have significant pain for 2 days after the test, but what else is new. For many on this site, dealing with pain has become a way of life. If hurting me a lot today means I might stop hurting tomorrow, go for it. If you are a candidate for ADR, the studies indicate that you will do as well or better than if you get a fusion. You will also have a chance of breaking the "surgery chain" that fusion tends to create. Flexibility after the surgery would be nice as well.