Help with MRI PLEASE

  • Thread starter Thread starter elle45
  • Start date Start date
E

elle45

Guest
I have been having chronic back pain for a year. Finally had an MRI, but don't understand it. L4-5 reveals mild bulging of the annulus and disc dessication. Mild facet arthropathy. Mild degenerative changes.
If it's mild why am I in so much pain?
 
Because everybody is different. Some people have very mild findings and are in a ton of pain andothers have severe findings and may not have that much pain or pain at all.
If you are having pain, let your doc know and maybe he/she can prescribe something for the pain. Best of luck to you.
 
Thanks for the reply. I guess I should have mentioned that I had a laminectomy in April but, it was cervical. I have been having lower back problems ever since. I go to a chyropracter several times a week but it really doesn't help. I have been to my nerosergeion but he can't help me because I don't need more surgery. My GP has no idea what to think, and a rhomotologist put me on lyrica but that didn't help either. I now go to pain mngmnt for steroid injections. Those are helping, but I can't live on those forever. Am I missing the right Dr. Should I go to an orthopedic? Is there another test that may determine something the MRI did not show? I don't know were to turn. HELP.
 
WOW! Thanks so much. I never heard of a discogram and can't believe none of my Dr's suggested it. I go back to pain mgmnt Mon. I will ask if he can recommend it. If not I will call my Nero.
 
The term "Mild" dont mean you have mild pain....some mild damage can be in an area that touches/pinches nerves and be very painful.....The discogram is a must! most dont care for it... I had no problems but its a buger! An Ortho. or Neuro. should be just fine but make sure they specialize in spine! before you let them do anything surgical on your back.

Good luck,

Devon
 
Gosh Elle, I wish I knew. Maybe you should get a 2nd or 3rd opinion? I think that may be your best bet..because something may be being overlooked! Best of luck to you hon and keep us posted on what you find out. Sorry I couldnt help you.
 
I had a Discogram done and it was extremely painful. It determines if there are tears that an MRI doesn't show and it confirms if your pain si from the disc itself. Mine was so painful that the pain mgt dr administered a Fentynol injection into the IV and it knocked me out instantly. My hubby said he heard me scream in the waiting room. I had 2 bad discs and they tested the whole lurabar region. I now have 3 bad discs. One is now herniated. I go Feb 13th to see what they are going to do now. If anything. I hope you can get some relief from the injections they are giving you. They made me worse. Good luck and insist on help with your pain.
 
Hi Elle.....

To anwser your question about whether or not is there another test to be done? Yes, there is the discogram test. I had a MRI, CT scan and then the discogram. That test actually showed where there was more damage to both my disc than the MRI showed.

LYNN
 
Back
Top