Mri Results!!!

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kyma3

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I started my cervical spine problems several years ago and just put it all off to my job because I was on the phone and computer a lot. It got so bad that I was having burning in my left scapula and shoulder and a sharp pain which felt like someone stabbing me. Then my left hand and fingers started tingling and going to sleep. I finally went to the doctor and when he did just an x-ray he told me he couldn't even see any discs so they ordered a MRI which showed bone spurs, bulging discs and stenosis at the C4/5,C5/6 so he sent me to the neurosurgeon. He did a myelogram and EMG studies for nerves and both came back bad. I still didn't want to have surgery so I put it off for another year until I couldn't take it any longer. Every day at work was terrible because I was on the computer and phone all day (dispatcher) and by the time I got home I would be in tears because the pain was so aggravating and sickening. I was on Lortab and Soma but they can only do so much and hard to take at work. I finally decided to have the surgery so they did ACDF on the C4/5, C5/6 and everything went find. I was out of work for 4 months and went back to same problems and my boss was not helpful in letting me sit my desk up ergonomically correct. I was never released from the neurosurgeon because I kept having the pain in my left scapula so they did another EMG and found that I had permanent nerve damage actually at the C8 (I know they say there isn't a C-8). I also had ulnar nerve entrapment in both elbows and carpal tunnel in left wrist. While checking on all this they found out that now the C3/C4 disc is bad and stenosis and bone spurs and I need to have surgery on that one. I had that surgery 3 years after my first one and no guarantees that it would help my scapula pain and tingling in hand and nurabness because the permanent damage from the C8 could also cause the same symptoms. I had the surgery and the recovery was not perfect because I ended up with a hematoma which caused a lot of pain and no one wanted to listen to me when I told them something was wrong. I still have problems with that incision because it is real tight and pulls at times but that was caused by the hematoma. I also ended up with pneumonia, vomiting blood and my esophagitis was really messed up. I was out of work for 6 months on that one and eventually lost my job because during this time my lurabar spine really got bad so I couldn't go back to my job. I have now had the surgery on the right elbow but still have problems so I don't think I will do the left. Now I am recovering from the lurabar fusion. I have degenerative disc disease, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and osteoporosis so my spine is not in the best of shape. Also just had knee surgery due to a torn meniscus.

I am sorry I made this so long but I know that I am probably starting to have more problems with the cervical spine because the good ole stabbing pain has started back up in the scapula and I have been having headaches quite frequently. They told me I waited too long so my recovery percentage wasn't too good so my word to you is don't wait. I kept putting it off because I was afraid of my boss and then I did more damage to myself. I believe if it is caught early then you can have a good recovery. I did all the physical therapy and even had a physical therapist tell me I was wasting my time because you can't fix bone spurs with therapy. Of course they didn't mind taking my money for 8 weeks.

Please get some help for your cervical spine. I had the dizziness also and the pain is so aggravating that at times I wanted to take a knife and put in my back because it hurt so bad. I do understand and if there is anything else I can help you with please let me know. Hopefully you can get some good advice also on the other board.

Take care sorry again for the long post.
Linda:angel:
 
Hi all. As usual I would love any input or thought s on this from anyone.

Cervical: There is decrease in cervical lordis. Moderate degeneration of the disc of c5-c6/c6-c7. At c4-c5minimal chronic disc/osteophyte complex less than 2mm. C5-c6 moderate to severe disc complexcentrally and to the left. Mild indentation upon the thecal sac. No direct pressure on the cord.
Minimal foraminal narrowing on the left. In addtion there is small round incresaed signal intensity in the foramen 5mm. May indicate unusual CSF fluidor some other etioglogy like nuerofibroma.
Repaet MRI of axial T1 ect ect.

Lurabar:Mild degeneration and narrowing of l4-l5 and L5-S1.
L4-L5 there is mild bilateral facet hypertrophy. Minial broad base buldging. Same at L5-S1.

Now: I have been sick for a long time and would love some answers. The ortho ped surgeon said I basically have one collapsed disc in my lower back and 2 bulging in my neck. He didn't mention the 5mm something that they found. He wants me try Lyrica (again) for one month and to start 3x wk physical therapy.

My questions are: my pain is very bad in my whole back and neck. And so many other probs like dizziness. That the MRI report doesn't seem that bad. I thought stenosis or something very bad. It all sounRAB rather no big dealish. He said he is more concerned with my neck than my back. Does anyone care to Put in your opinions???
 
Hi Kyma 3,
Thank you for the advice of the other board but I posted over there some days ago adn no one has responded at all. I hope my doc goes faster. But honestly I feel like the month of PT is just for him to say he went that route b/c I know as you said it can't fix bone spurs!!!!!
I am sorry you have so many probs. I have such a low quality of life I can't imagine my elbows and kness in the mix too!!!! I don't know how you do it.
Pls stay in touch as I can't get much back from either board.

Thanks,
ME
 
Hi. The doctors concerns are valid. The cervical spine has a lot more serious and permanent issues that can easily arise, over the lurabar spine.

And your issues in the cervical spine do sound more serious than the lurabar spine issues at the present time.

Not sure why he wants you on Lyrica, unless you are having pain into your legs (ie- nerve pains), but the PT is an non-surgical approach to see if they can help you loosen things up some and strengthen your body, in hopes of relieving some of the pain for you. If the discs are degenerating, they are not going to rehydrate by PT or any other means. But the PT can help you tighten and strengthen the spine as best it can be and hopefully keep you from surgery. It helps many but may not solve the problems you have.

C5/C6 is the main issue, with the disc bulging and is putting a mild pressure on the thecal sac (which the spinal cord/nerves is surrounded by), just not showing any "direct" pressure at the moment. There is some foramin narrowing at this level (which is basically the hole opening that the cord runs through the spine), with some possible cyst or cerebral spinal fluid gathering there. Looks like they want to do another MRI to check this area more thoroughly.

Lurabar spine: Not sure which is narrowing more, but the two lower discs in your spine are degenerating (hardening and losing their springy jelly), and the discs are not normal height due to the discs bulging some. Also at these levels you have some facet (bone) (hyperthrophy- aka - arthritis basically) at these levels.

You certainly have reason for your pain and discomfort. Do they have a redo of the MRI scheduled yet?

The dizziness could be from the cervical issues and/or meRAB you are taking. What do they have you taking?

My two cents gal and hang in there.
 
Justoneofus
Thank you sooo much for your thoughts. I wasn't taking anything too strong. But last night I took the Lyrica before bed and got sooo wasted. I woke up late with a hangover. I am sure he would tell me that this will adjust but I have enough problems living a normal life I can't be all doped up! I have two young boys. The Lyrica is probably b/c I have pins and needles felling in both hanRAB and feet. Pain down the back of both legs ect. But this has been going on for 3 yrs. So the docs after testinf me for everything includin lymphoma,ms,lupus (positive titers but nothing to pinpoint) and have been dx with chronic fatigue syndrome or fibro.
Anyway I guess the neck is worse. I wonder after pt doesn't work what kind of surgery will be required? And I have so many questions about that.
On this board I think more people have lurabar probs over cervical??? Not sure.
I guess I have some researching to do.
Thanks again.


Bye
 
Hi Kyma 3,
Thank you for the advice of the other board but I posted over there some days ago adn no one has responded at all. I hope my doc goes faster. But honestly I feel like the month of PT is just for him to say he went that route b/c I know as you said it can't fix bone spurs!!!!!
I am sorry you have so many probs. I have such a low quality of life I can't imagine my elbows and kness in the mix too!!!! I don't know how you do it.
Pls stay in touch as I can't get much back from either board.

Thanks,
ME
 
Hey ME I am sorry you haven't been able to get any replies from the other board but I will be glad to help you in any way possible. I can tell you that I do understand the problems with the cervical spine since I have been there and still going through with it. There are some days I have such terrible pain in my neck and scapula. It doesn't help when arthritis sets into the areas also. Keep in touch with me and I hope you hear something soon.

Take Care
Linda:angel:
 
hi girls! I only signed ME b/c my first two post on this board were taken out by the moderator so I thought you couldn't post your name. Confused! So I was watching everything I said.
There is no info on C1-C2. C6-C7 is the worst. Where it says chrnoic disc complex of braod nature. Flattening of thecal sacANd again the thing that nobody seems to have in common with me is the increased signal on the MRI at this C6-C-7 level. It is 5mm and worries me b/c it says it may indicate unusual CSF fluid due to forminal narrowing or some other etiology including a neurofibroma. YUCK!!!
It says to repeat MRi with contrast and I am sitting here waiting for PT approval and I have PPO!!!!! WHen I should be repeating MRI.
I am scared there is a tumor or something.
Anyone here here of this on MRI results before????

Thanks,
Deena
 
Actually the Spinal Cord Disorder message board has more people with cervical spine problems. You might want to go over there and see if anyone can help you. I don't know why it is titled Spinal Cord Disorder but it should help you. I hope you are able to get the help you need. I have had surgery twice on my cervical spine also and you can have a lot of problems when the disc go bad in your neck. I have permanet damage in my left arm due to waiting too long for my first cervical spine surgery. Good luck and take care.

Linda:angel:
 
Thanks Linda, I did look for neck problems. Duh!!!!!!
I am sorry you have had 2 surgeries and still no relief. Pls tell me your story.


Bye
 
Hey Deena I will try and look up my old MRI reports from my cervical spine problems. I wish someone could help you with your report but not all radiologist describe things the same way another one might. Several years ago I was having some neurological problems and no one could explain what was going on and I was told I had a brain tumor by one doctor, MS from another doctor and I can't remeraber all the other. I just want you to know that I know what you are going through and I am praying for you to find out just what is going on with you:angel:. Do what you are doing and just keep asking because there is someone out there that surely can help you. I am here for you even though I may not be able to give you your answers I do understand. I have started having some more of my pain back in my cervical spine again and I have been so upset because it is a nagging and aggravating type pain that burns all the time. I know I have permanent nerve damage so I am sure that is what is going on but it still upsets me.

Don't feel bad about the postings because I have had that happen to me also and it wasn't intentional but I really try and watch myself, also:(. Just hang in there and let us know how you are doing.

Take care
Linda:angel:
 
Me, good luck with your doctor's appointment, and I hope it goes well.

My home nurse recently told me that many doctors order PT, even when they know it won't work, because many insurance companies require it be tried before they will approve surgery. Amazing how much power the insurance companies have over our treatment.

Of course, there are also some doctors who just order PT as part of their "checklist." I also had a doctor order PT for me, it made it worse, we all (me and the PT) told him it made me worse, and so after my next exam, he ordered some more. He could order all he liked, I wasn't going to go. In addition, like you, there was no way PT could help my back (collapsed and dessicated disc at L5/S1.) It wasn't like PT was going to somehow and miraculously regenerate the disc. If it could we could patent it and all be millionaires.

I switched doctors to one who will only see the worst cases and, lo and behold, he chose to see me. He didn't even consider PT.

Good luck, and let us know.

Paula
 
HI girls! There seems to be alot of this going around. I have not yet been told I have a brain tumor but wonder with that 5mm thing that lights up on mri. But I have been tested for ms and even lymphoma.
I too have muscles spasms everywhere and so much bone pain. I never knew that having a dx like DDD would be so bad. I told a doctor that I had been dx with this a few years ago and he shrugged his shoulders and said who doesn't?
I go see a PT tomorrow for an evalu. ANy tips on this? Does he report back to dr just how bad I am?
I will hang in there. Thanks for all of your support. I suppose I will start a new post soon. I think they don't like us to keep it going.
If you guys think of anything else. Let me know. My head feels tto heavy for my body. Weird, hu?
Thanks you guys,
Love,
Deena
 
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