If ongoing back or neck pain has left you searching for answers, your doctor may recommend a myelogram to get a detailed look at your spine. It’s natural to wonder how you’ll feel after the procedure. The reassuring news is that most people have no side effects or only mild ones, and they’re usually short-lived. A headache is the most common and typically goes away within 24 to 48 hours.
In this guide, you’ll learn which myelogram side effects are most common, how long they last and the simple steps you can take to feel better quickly. Knowing what to expect helps you walk into your appointment with confidence, and American Health Imaging is here to help you get clear answers about your spinal health.
What Is a Myelogram?
A myelogram is a specialized diagnostic imaging procedure that combines a contrast dye injection with CT scanning to create detailed pictures of the spinal canal, spinal cord and nerve roots. The contrast dye is injected into the spinal fluid, where it flows through the spinal canal and outlines structures that may not appear clearly on other imaging tests.
Doctors commonly use myelograms to evaluate conditions such as:
- Herniated or bulging spinal discs
- Spinal stenosis, or narrowing of the spinal canal
- Nerve root compression or impingement
- Bone spurs pressing on nerves
- Spinal tumors, cysts or infections
- Complications following spine surgery
- Cerebrospinal fluid leaks
A myelogram is especially valuable for patients with pacemakers, spinal hardware or metal implants that can make MRI less effective.
How long a myelogram takes will depend on the area of the spine being examined and the number of images your doctor needs. Plan for 60 to 90 minutes at the imaging center to allow time for check-in, preparation, the procedure and initial recovery.
What Are Common Side Effects of a Myelogram?
Most patients feel well after a myelogram, and the side effects that do occur tend to be mild. The most common myelogram side effects include:
- Mild headache: This is the most frequent side effect and usually improves with rest and fluids.
- Nausea: Some patients feel a little queasy for a short time after the procedure.
- Soreness at the injection site: You may notice tenderness in your lower back where the contrast dye was injected.
- Dizziness or lightheadedness: A brief, mild dizzy feeling can occur as your body adjusts.
During the procedure itself, you may feel a brief sting when the area is numbed, some pressure as the needle is placed and a mild sense of warmth as the contrast dye is injected. These feelings pass quickly and are completely normal.
What Causes Side Effects After a Myelogram?
Understanding why myelogram side effects happen can make them feel a lot less worrisome. To place the contrast dye, a thin needle is guided into the fluid-filled space around your spinal cord. Afterward, a small amount of cerebrospinal fluid can seep from the needle site.
When that happens, the fluid pressure around your brain and spine drops slightly, which is what triggers the classic post-myelogram headache. This type of headache often feels worse when you sit up or stand and better when you lie down. The headache eases as the tiny puncture heals, usually within a day or two.
The contrast dye can occasionally lead to short-term nausea. Mild soreness at the injection site is simply your body’s normal response to the needle and fades quickly on its own.
How Long Do Myelogram Side Effects Last?
Most side effects of a myelogram resolve within 24 to 48 hours. Headaches typically ease within a day or two, especially when you rest, drink plenty of fluids and keep your head elevated. Nausea and dizziness usually pass even sooner, often within the first several hours following your procedure. Tenderness at the injection site may linger for a few days but fades steadily as the area heals.
Your body also clears the contrast dye on its own. Drinking extra fluids after your exam helps your body clear the dye, which speeds your return to feeling like yourself.
Are There Any Long-Term Side Effects of a Myelogram?
For the vast majority of patients, a myelogram has no lasting side effects. In rare cases, a headache can persist beyond a couple of days if spinal fluid continues to leak from the needle site.
When that happens, doctors can perform a treatment called a “blood patch,” which uses a small amount of your own blood to seal the leak and relieve the headache. This treatment is highly effective, so even the most stubborn myelogram side effect has a clear solution.
Are There Serious Complications of a Myelogram?
Serious complications from a myelogram are rare. Uncommon risks include an allergic reaction to the contrast dye, infection at the injection site or bleeding in the area around the spine. These events are unlikely, and your imaging team takes every precaution to prevent them, from reviewing your health history in advance to using sterile technique and real-time X-ray guidance for precise, safe contrast placement.
You’ll also be monitored closely during and after your exam so that any concern can be addressed right away. For most patients, the experience involves nothing more than brief pressure during the injection and perhaps a mild headache afterward.
When Should You Call a Doctor After a Myelogram?
Most side effects fade on their own, but a few symptoms deserve prompt attention. Call your doctor right away if you develop:
- A fever
- A stiff neck
- A severe headache, or one that lasts more than 48 hours or keeps you from sitting up
- New numbness, tingling or weakness in your legs
- Bleeding or drainage from the injection site
- Trouble urinating
- Nausea or vomiting that doesn’t ease up
These symptoms don’t necessarily mean something is wrong, but they give your doctor the chance to check on you and act quickly if needed.
Can You Reduce the Risk of Myelogram Side Effects?
A little preparation before your myelogram goes a long way toward a smooth exam and an easy recovery. Before your appointment, share your full medical history with your imaging team, including:
- Any allergies, especially to contrast dye or local anesthetic, or any past reaction to contrast
- Kidney conditions or diabetes, including any medications that contain metformin
- A history of seizures or seizure medications
- Blood thinners, aspirin or other medications that affect clotting
- Any chance that you may be pregnant
Your care team reviews this information beforehand and adjusts your imaging plan as needed to keep you safe and comfortable. On the day of your exam, follow the preparation instructions you’re given, drink clear fluids as directed and arrange for a trusted driver to take you home.
After the procedure, resting for the remainder of the day and staying well hydrated are the two best things you can do to keep side effects to a minimum.
How Should You Treat Myelogram Side Effects?
If side effects do show up after your myelogram procedure, following simple at-home care is usually all it takes to feel better. To ease a post-myelogram headache and support your recovery, you should do the following:
- Rest with your head elevated above the rest of your body, or lie flat on your back as directed by your care team
- Drink plenty of fluids to rehydrate and help your body flush the contrast dye
- Sip caffeinated drinks like coffee or tea, which can help relieve headache pain by narrowing blood vessels in the brain
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen if your doctor approves
- Avoid alcohol, heavy lifting and strenuous activity for the first 24 hours
If your headache doesn’t improve with rest, fluids and medication, contact your doctor. A blood patch procedure can seal a lingering spinal fluid leak and bring fast relief.
Schedule Your Myelogram With American Health Imaging
You’ve lived with unanswered questions about your back or neck pain long enough. A myelogram at American Health Imaging gives you and your doctor the detailed view needed to pinpoint the cause and plan the right treatment, all in a comfortable outpatient setting designed around you.
Every exam uses advanced CT technology with fluoroscopic guidance for precise contrast placement, and a board-certified, subspecialized radiologist reads your exam. You’ll receive your results through Scanslated®, an easy-to-understand imaging report sent by text within 48 hours after your report is finalized. We’re in-network with 99% of major insurance plans, our imaging services cost up to 60% less than hospital imaging and we maintain a 97% patient satisfaction rating. A myelogram requires a referral from your doctor, and most insurance plans require prior authorization before scheduling.
Talk to your doctor about imaging and schedule your myelogram with American Health Imaging today.