Nuclear bone scan, and where I've been lately

[daveinaustin]

Sorry I haven't been online lately, but I've had some pretty good reasons.

The nuclear bone scan test went well. I had a radioactive isotope injected, and then needed to wait for three hours. I spent the time at a park in Central Austin that is very enjoyable, and relaxed.

The exam itself took about an hour. There was a series of X-rays and a CT scan. Once it was complete, there was a 3-D image of my spine.

Unfortunately, the radiologist report was not conclusive. It stated there was minimal uptake on the L5-S1 level, and moderate uptake on L4-5. Also, there is facet degeneration from L4-S1, mostly from osteophytes and a narrowing foramen. But, none of it fully explain the pain directly in the center of L4-5.

There was a Neurosurgeon that I was to meet in Las Vegas last weekend at a conference. It took several days for me to prepare for the trip. It was the physically most difficult trip of my life! I could not believe how hard it was to travel; but fortunately, I had much assistance getting to/from the flights and between connections.

Unfortunately, I did not have the opportunity to meet the neurosurgeon. We were to meet at 50 on Saturday. However, he had to leave his conference early to treat a critically condition patient in San Diego, and was staying for three days. I felt bad for the other patient, who must have been in really bad condition if it required him to leave his conference. But, it was emotionally draining for me as well.

He invited me to fly to San Diego. I prayed hard and gave considerable thought, but I physically could not endure four flights in three days.

I pretty much took it easy and rested in Vegas. Didn't do much, but did manage to play poker for a few hours. Fortunately, I won enough for room service!

Once I returned, my local doctor insisted that I stay on sick leave for two more weeks. Based from a local neurosurgeon and doctor from Germany, I am having a discogram today, in case the root cause of my L4-5 pain is discogenic from L3-4.

We'll get to the root cause of my pain someday, hopefully soon!

-Dave

[Gilbert P]

Hi Dave

Sounds like you are on the way to the solution of your pain, I do hope you get some relief soon .

Hang in their and good luck.

Take Care

Gil

[mark-Perth]

Hi Dave

Sorry to hear the trip to Vegas was without any benifit to U. That must have been hard after all the effort to get there. Im sure it must have been extremely important for a surgeon to have to rush off in such a hurry and hope the patient is doing well now.

I am really hoping that the discogram is negative at L3/4, even though it would solve the question of where the pain is coming from which I know you want to solved now. I just hope the DDD is not progressing up your spine so quickly and that the pain is coming from the levels already fused as you also feel its from L4/5. My fingers are crossed for you mate.

The most important part of the discogram, just like the nuclear bone scan is to work towards knowing exactly whats causing the pain by elimination. You dont want to have surgery on something that isnt causing the pain or not the most painful area and need to be possitive thats the cause.

My PS also injects a long acting local anasthetic into the disc after the discogram as part of his diagnostic tests. Maybe ask about that if he doesnt already do it. I dont know what anasthetic he uses but know its not Lidocaine.

This local anaesthetic injection can also be done afterwards a second time to confirm the diagnosis is correct without the discogram just to be possitive. I had several done before my original surgery just to be 100% possitive and felt amazing for several days each time.

Good luck with it and rest up.

Mark

[daveinaustin]

Thanks Guys!

My PS injected a steroid injection into the L2-3 and 3-4 discs. I believe he stated it was dexamethasone.

Over the night, my L2-3 and 3-4 feel just a little bit of discomfort. However, my L4-5 is on fire and incessantly throbbing! It has been very challenging trying to sleep; hence, a good time to finally catch up on SPS.

I'm wondering if the inflammation caused by the L2-4 is exerting extra pressure onto the L4-5. maybe this could aid the conjecture that the root cause is a trapped L4-5 sympathetic (most likely hair-thin sinuvertebral) nerve.

-Dave

[Justin]

Dave,

You've had so much on your plate over the last couple of months. I'm sorry you were not able to meet up with the surgeon in Las Vegas, especially after enduring multiple flights with ever-increasing pain. I do hope the discogram you had yesterday helps identify your pain generator(s).

You are a day closer to feeling better, my friend.