Wish me luck
 

I don't really think it is very risky, but I am having an outpatient procedure today, actually in a little while. Myleogram, I believe it is called.

Basically, local anesthesia, long ass needle with dye, injected directly into the discs in my lower back, more pain medicine, then xrays and a cat scan. They're looking to make some 3d image of the tissue and bones in my back to maybe be able to figure out exactly what is wrong. I'm supposed to get a wicked spinal cord headache afterwards, and be real real sore.

24 hours of bed rest after I get home later this afternoon. My wife is taking me and driving me home. See you guys later.

You'll be ok,Jake! Let me know all about it. Lindsay has one scheduled in September. Good luck.:)

Jake, everything will work out fine. Do as the doctor says and do the bed rest to take care of your back, and help with the headache. One of the best over the counter Migraine meds that David takes is Excedrine Migraine.

Let us know when your feeling better.

Well, I'm back. It wasn't really terrible or anything. I just don't like needles.

A solution was injected into the fluid layer around my brain/spinal cord. I am supposed to spend the next 24 hours in a reclined position to keep it in my lower back. If I lay flat, it will go into my head and give me an SOB of a headache I guess. I'm supposed to drink caffeinated beverages, and stay off my feet too.

I felt when the guy squirted the stuff in, it made my ears pop, and I felt pressure behind my eyes and in my head. Beforehand he explained that essentially he was adding volume of fluid to this closed system that protects the brain and spinal cord. The fluid is called spinal fluid and is produced by the brain. He used an xray monitor to find a spot where he could stick the needle in between the vertebrae in my lower back. I jerked when I felt the needle go all the way in there.

Waving :D

Did they give you an injection to numb the site before they stuck the needle in? I know that when they did this type of injection into the spine, that David felt pretty good and continued to do his daily things, what a mistake. Later the headache really started to get bad, really bad.

So take it easy, cause you don't want to get the rebound headache. You really don't.

They gave me a quick shot of some numbing agent first, yes. I don't think it went as far as the second needle though. I've had a few epidural steroid injections, this was further in.

I am even allowed to smoke in the house:D:D

Glad everything went well.

How long until you get the results?

Glad it went well for you Jake. We just got back from the hospital with my son. He had surgery on a deviated septum, what ever that is. Last Monday he had a minor hernia repaired. Both were supposed to be done in mid July but got postponed at the last minute.

We're supposed to discuss the results of this and a few other tests in a few weeks.

Obviously back problems. sorry to hear that. Never had a back problem but know plenty of people that have. Hope they can take care of it for you.

Best wishes for a fast painless recovery .Keep us posted.

Hey Jake,how you doing today?

Hey guys...

It feels a little better today, and I'm pretty much tired of laying here. I'm sore where they poked me for sure. They told me that drinking caffeinated beverages would help...they also kept me awake until after 3 last night.

Hope your good as new soon Jake.

Best of luck Jake. Hope they can figure this out and get you feeling good again. You got a lot friends here pulling for you, hang in there.

I appreciate all the kindness, my friends.

I've been loafing around for the past few days, still not feeling even as good as I did before the needle on Monday. Where they stuck me still hurts pretty good, and the headache they told me about is all that and a bag of chips.

I hope for good news too, but I have a feeling this hand has already been dealt. Nothing significant enough to require surgery (THANK GOD), but also out of whack enough to act up arbitrarily.

Are you allowed beer?:confused:

I am but I don't feel like drinking. Lots of coffee and cigarettes.

Umh, must be bad if you don't feel like drinking. Like I said, best of luck, get well soon.

I felt like that,June 5th 2003.:p

They wanted me back tomorrow for another torture session. I had a discography scheduled for early tomorrow morning. That one, they supposedly agitate the nerves in the horsetail coming off your spinal cord to find out which one goes to where in your legs. They poke your nerves and ask you where/how much it hurts, while mildly sedated.

No thanks.

Well shit Jake, that sounds like stories I've heard of the Spanish inquisition, only no sedatives.

How are you're abdominal muscles? No real experience, just reports from friends, but strengthening the core muscles can do wonders for back problems. Sit ups, crunches, etc.

Walking seems to ease my back pains most of the time. Loosing weight is what I need most though. Best of luck to you. Getting old aint for sissies that I know first hand.

I can attest to that. When I go for a walk I keep looking back to see if anything fell off.

You made me laugh Hank. Never seen you curse really, Hank, and I don't guess I see too many curse words on CF.

I'm not letting them do that to me after this. Sure, the doctor wants to use every resource he can to generate re$ults that can be u$ed for a diagno$i$. The discography is antiquated, and get this...controversial. You lay there, you can't move a muscle, and they are sticking needles into your soul. Imagine that...

Doctor - "How much does THIS hurt?"
Me - Well, that hurts a lot doc... (inside...quietly to myself.....youbastardi'mgoingtokillyouwhenyouaketh atfuckinneedleoutofmygoddamnbackillpokeyouintheeye withityoudirtysonofabitch!!!!!!)


Core muscle work...I need some. They have to release me for exercise first. I am still losing weight, even though I've been laid up for a while. Still no soda for me, less daily caloric intake, and a semi-conscientious effort to eat less junk. I'm 5-11, about 190 or so. It isn't like I could be on "biggest loser" or whatever, but I was up to about 205 a while back. I'd like to be less than 180 eventually, and spitting nails again.

Glad I gave you a little smile. I try to control myself here. So far I like everybody I've met here and don't want to offend anyone that may not appreciate the language. After 37 years working with other engineers and then dealing with customers I've learned how to throw the on/off switch. :)

No words of wisdom for you, wish I had some but I've never dealt with back pain. Best I can do is wish you luck. Spitting nails, ha! I wish I could be spitting thumbtacks again.