Hi, My name is Cathy and around Christmas I started having pins and needles feeling in my left fingers. This progressed to intermittent terrific pain in my elbow (outside) then up into my shoulder and across my neck. I can't sleep in my bed because it hurts my arms to lay flat so I have to sleep in a recliner. I've also been having "sick" headaches, where it doesn't really hurt just feels funny almost lightheaded and some problems with my vision. I went to a Chiropractor and she said we'd try for a couple weeks and if she couldn't help then I'd need to do an MRI. The chiropractic manipulations made my condition worse.

I had my MRI last week and I'm hoping someone can give me an opinion. Here's what it says:

Indication:Brachial Neuritis.

Multiplanar multisequence image of the cervical spine were obtained without iv contrast enhancement. The alignment of the cervical spine is within normal limits. Bone signal is normal. Mild disc desiccation throughout the cervical spine without significant narrowing of the disc spaces. Spinal cord is normal.

C3-4 shows disc bulging with osteophytes more prominent toward the right foramen. There is mild to moderate right foraminal narrowing. No significant central canal stenosis seen.

C4-5 shows mild diffuse disc bulging and posterior osteophytes with mild central stenosis and bilateral foraminal narrowing.

C5-C6 shows disc bulging and posterior osteophytes and posterior osteophytes slightly more prominent toward the left side with mild left foraminal narrowing and central canal stenosis.

C6-7 shows disc bulging and posterior osteophytes with mild central stenosis. No significatn stenosis seen C7-T1.

Impression: Multilevel degenerative disc changes with disc bulging and osteophytes as described. Right foraminal narrowing at C3-4 and mild left foraminal narrowing C5-6.


I should add that I had rotator cuff surgery on my right shoulder June, 2013. My left shoulder has two 50% rotator cuff tears and two 50% capsule tears. I initially thought this left arm problem was from my shoulder. The pain is different though and acts like nerve pain. It almost pulses.

By accident I found that ativan has helped it alot. I took a 1 mg ativan before my MRI, and then noticed that I felt better throughout the day. I took half the next morning. Then I quit because I didn't want to be taking nerve pills. I don't take pain pills, I'm taking two aleve twice a day.

I have a physical therapy appt for evaluation next week and I'm waiting to get into the spinal center at our large hospital.

Any insight into what's going on, would be appreciated. I'm 57 years old and until I tore my rotator cuff a year ago I was very active. I was working out with a trainer 2 days a week and on my own at least 3 more. I've now successfully gained back more weight then I lost. Feeling pretty defeated

Thanks