Myelogram/Blood patch, feeling "traumatized"
 

Hello all: sorry to just jump in like this but figured maybe someone here would know what this is all about?
I had a CT Myelogram last Tues, was horribly painful. Developed the headache, had a blood pach on Friday. Got the results from my doc this Tues (a subject matter all to itself, not great news, not horrible news).

All this resulted in 5 days of lost wages, 6 days lying on the couch in head/back pain and lots of worry. TONS of worry.

It's now Wed, week after Myelogram and I'm still "off:" back still hurts but better, slightly dizzy, some pressure headache, tired but better. Yet I find myself feeling out of it, spacey, just not myself. Does anyone know if this could be some sort of reaction to the trauma of the all those needles in my spine, pain and worry? And if so, what do I do about it?

Thank you!

Myelogram
 

Hi~ sorry to hear you had some reactions to the Myelogram. I passed out shortly after getting home from mine and that was one of the possible after-effects.

Complications: the most frequent complications are:

•Headache ,nausea and vomiting – due to neurotoxic effect of contrast agent
•Postural headache - due to leakage of CSF from the puncture site
•Vasovagal syncope (passing out)
•Puncture of the spinal cord - rare but serious complication specially in high lumbar puncture and risk in higher in cases of spinal stenosis
•Seizures - reported in 0.1 to 0.3% cases
•Others - hyperthermia, hallucinations, depression, and anxiety

I found this info. very helpful. I'd suggest drinking lots of extra liquids to flush that stuff out. Did the doctor's office give you any instructions or signs to watch for? They should have. Take care.

Myelo-blood
 

I am in the same boat. I had blood patch Friday and I feel wiped out and
my head feels like I am on a plane with bad compression. I have lost 5 days of work and I haven't even started to receive treatment for my actual issue.

The myelogram/blood patch has irritated my back (nerves) and seems to be causing me dehydration. Not sure how much more water I can possiblly drink.

If this test causes all these issues, why are they doing it? I am not clear on how much more a ct scan allows over a simple MRI?

You are not alone and I have called the symptoms into my doc office.
Lets see what they do!

I do wonder how many of you had you were unable to lift your head for 4 days before the patch was ordered and what this really was all about. yes, I had a headache, but it was the pain in my neck that was terrible.

I had a Meylogram about 3 years ago. Although, a difficult test; do not remember any additional pain. I already had to much spine pain; probably couldn't tell the difference.

The Meylogram was taken to check if the cysts I had (removed during spine fusion) had returned, as well as identifying scar tissue adding to my problems. The Meylogram shows many things a Ct scan does not. In my case it did also show one of the screws (I had rods & screws for the fusion) was close to a vein and the doctor suggested I go back to the surgeon to have the screw removed because it could cause a serious problem. Went to the surgeon who said "not to worry". it does not need to be removed. Sooooo,I guess, I will try not to worry.