Lumbar herniations - newbie to the forums

[Cirobi]

Hi everyone,
I'm new to these forums and so far I've seen quite a bit of info that'll prove helpful. I still wanted to pose some questions that keep rattling around my mind as I begin going through the trials and tribulations of relieving my chronic back pain.

A little background:
I've been suffering with milder back pain issues since approx 2001 when I had what appeared to be a strain of my back during track season in high school. Until Jan 2007 I could easily manage my own pain and deal with (read: ignore) the daily minor aches and pains. In Jan 2007 I had a severe episode with my back where I literally just stood up after using the ladies room at work and something wasn't quite right with my back. I even wound up working from home for a day because I just couldn't get comfortable. I saw my primary doc who gave me muscle relaxers and an anti-inflammatory thinking it was a muscle issue as the pain radiated across my back. I asked him if there was any underlying issue that might be causing this pain. He sent me for an X-ray since I'd never had one and then when the X-ray came back he sent me for a Bone Scan. I was told I had "mild arthritis where the spine meets the pelvis," took me off the relaxer and changed my anti-inflammatory.

Early summer of 2007 I had another episode worse than the first after merely spitting out toothpaste one morning and almost couldn't stand back up. I went to the doc the next day and he gave me a refill script for the anti-inflammatory, a pat on the shoulder and said "such is the nature of the disease." I've been in a holding pattern until my insurance changed to allow me more open access and at the end of Jan 2008 I finally got my MRI which showed herniated disks at L4L5 and L5S1.

I spoke with an orthopedic doc last week and he has me scheduled for a discography at the end of the month to do more diagnostics on the two herniated discs and a couple that are starting to bulge ever so slightly just to rule out any issues with those discs.

I've never had an injection and the doc I saw doesn't think that'd be a good solution because the herniations are central to the spinal column. He thinks I could be a candidate for ADR on two levels. I plan on getting more opinions especially after the discography to weigh all options. I did physical therapy last spring for two months and it had minimal affect.

While the discography has me nervous, it's not due to the procedure itself or the potential to be in a good bit of pain afterward... but rather due to the whole anesthesia thing. When it comes to medical procedures, I can't stand the idea of being completely knocked out by drugs and being so out of it i don't completely know what's going on. Do docs in the USA do discographies without the more general anesthetic? Is this something I should just ask about during prep for the procedure or sooner? I'd much rather feel the pokes and prods than be knocked out. I even made sure this was the case when I had all 4 wisdom teeth out and the docs thought I was nuts (possibly because I guess most women would rather get knocked out for such things?).

In any case, I also have questions about the ADR part. If, even after getting a few opinions, it turns out that I'm a candidate for ADR on two levels, is this something that's done in the USA even semi-regularly yet? I have tried to do research online but most of the information I can find dates back to 2003-2005 and deals with single level ADR being approved but still a lot of testing going on. I noticed on these forums that several people have gone to Germany for procedures, is this just because it's allowable on more levels overseas? How does such a thing work in conjunction with stateside insurance companies?

If anyone has any advice that's gotten 1-2 ADRs stateside could pass along info I'd be forever greatful. I'm only 26 and my greatest fear is losing the mobility I have. Currently I'm fully mobile with occasional pain and stiffness. Most of the pain that's constant is centered on my spine with occasional moments when it radiates down my left leg (this has only happened 1-2 times noticeably).

I'd be glad to clarify info I've posted as my mind seems to be running a mile a minute thinking over everything that has anything to do with my back pain so I realize some of what I said may not be as coherent as it could be.

Hopefully in turn, my experiences can help others.

Thanks,
Sara

[Harrison]

Hi Sara, thanks for posting. I'll chime back in soon; let's catch up by phone too. BTW: what does the penguin thing mean?! When you can, please insert a signature (see welcome email).

[Cirobi]

Hi Harrison,
I never received any instruction on what to put for a signature so I just added my personal default of a silly signature (the penguin thing). My favorite animal is the penguin and the line comes from a bumper sticker I had once upon a time.

The only email I have regarding these forums is the confirmation email when I created my account. I've checked my email's spam filter folder as well and it doesn't appear to be caught up in the spam filter either.

I'll be glad to adjust my signature to something more standard to these forums once I know what to put.

Thanks!
~Sara

[Don]

Sara-

Welcome and you are in a good site for advice. Sorry to hear about your problems. I am offering amateur discogram advice. I have had two, they aren't fun (IMO - worse after the procedure than during) and I handled the anesthesia very well. It basically calms you down, but I felt wide awake, aware of everything and I remember everything, (or I think I do ). I would wait until surgery is likely. They can get very good diagnosis without it and then finalize plans with a discogram if needed.

Good luck.

Don

[Cirobi]

Hi Don,

Thanks a bunch for the input. Reading the various experiences with the whole discography thing has been really helpful (I did some browsing around yesterday to find anything and everything). I'm nervous in general in terms of wondering what they'll find when the discography is done, but half excited too because any resolution is "good" resolution at this point. I figure, knowing how I am with medical things, I'll definitely be calmer while being aware and able to listen to what's going on. It's even better when the doc is willing to talk through the steps of the procedure. I had a doc do that when i had some small cystic bits removed from my scalp and felt great know what was being done. I don't know, maybe I'm just an odd one like that.

[Harrison]

Sara, thanks for letting me know about the email stuff...I'll check into the registration process.

Hey, did you already see this? I put some time into this FAQ some time ago...

Discograms – what should I expect?
http://adrsupport.org/eve/forums/a/t...1/m/7451064022

[Cirobi]

Hi Harrison,

I did check out the FAQ on the discography and it's greatly helpful. I prowled the forums to find out more from individuals as well since it seems like the anesthesia used seems to vary from person to person. My biggest concern is with regards to the anesthesia since the whole idea of being generally knocked out chemically has always bothered me. From what info I have found it seems more like I'll just have to talk with the docs when I go for the procedure.

Thanks!
~Sara

[CindyLou]

Cirobi,
Definitely talk with docs before your discogram. When I had mine, there was no knocking me out. Just some calming medication before the procedure. You will want it. And believe you me, I felt every probe (three levels), and screamed bloody murder like a bad dog gone wild. All that said, it is a very effective diagnostic tool.

Hang in there.

[Cirobi]

haha, thanks CindyLou. I love the imagery. I'm hoping I won't feel like screaming, but I imagine it won't be avoidable since triggering the pain is part of the process with this.

Did the calming medication make you feel out of it in terms of remembering things clearly afterward? I read a few experiences where people said they were so loopy afterward that they recommended me having my chauffeur there after the procedure to get any instructions the docs had post-discography. I'm wondering if that's just how they reacted to the medication or if it's common to feel out of it from the meds.

Thanks again. The feedback definitely helps.
~Sara

[Don]

Sara,

I'll second the favorable opinion of the calming drug. My first discogram had nothing and I was nervous, and inserting the needles made me sweat instantly and nearly vomit each time. The second one was totally different. If it was technique, the calming drug or whatever, I remember everything, was wide awake, but even though it hurt, I never had that nausea like the first one. Way better experience during the procedure. Good luck.

Don