I have severe upper back and neck pains - which my dr sent me for a MRI to find out what is going on. I don't know what the results mean and was hoping I could find help on the board.

There is a straightening with mild reversal of cervical alignment in the lower cervical spine. There is 3 mm retrolisthesis of C6 on C7. Normal vetebral body height, paravertebral, intervertebral disc, cord and intraspinal enhancement is noted.

At C3-C4: There is severe, left-sided facet arthrosis contributing to mild left neuroforaminal stenosis. No focal protrusions. The central canal and right neuroforamen remain patent.

at C4-C5: A broad-based, 3 mm AP diameter posterior disc osteophyte complex associated with severe right sided facet arthrosis results in severe right neuroforaminal stenosis, and mild central stenosis, the AP spinal canal diameter measuring 8.6mm. The left neuroforamen is patent.

At C5-C6: A 4 mm AP diameter broad-based posterior disc osteophyte complex is noted mildly effaces the ventral cord at this level. The central canal measures 11 mm. The neuroforamina are patent.

At C6-C7: There is posterior end plate bony spondylosis with bilateral uncovertebral hypertrophy resulting in mild right and moderate to severe left neuroforaminal stenosis. Central canal is patent, measuring 12 mm.

Impressions:

Multilevel cervical spondylosis as described above.

At C4-C5, severe right neuroforaminal stenosis is demonstrated in conjunction with mild central canal stenosis.

At C6-C7, moderate to severe left neuroforaminal stenosis is noted.

I have tried almost everything in the way of therapy, with no help. I cannot have steroid injections as I have Lyme Disease. I have been living on relatively low doses of pain medication - but my social life is almost non existent. They recommended surgery, but I am highly hesitant as I am 63 with various health issues. I don't bounce back very easily from physical setbacks. I also feel that if I had surgery, I would begin a roller coaster that I can't get off of.

Now governmental regulations are cutting back on my medication, and I will be in a bind to get out of bed much of the time. I think I am having some other problems lower down. The right side mid upper back is becoming excruciating and I cannot stand for over 15 minutes without being in agony. I don't think it's the cervical issues, but I could be wrong.

I feel like my choices are to have surgery, go to heavier pain medications that make me feel drugged out (which kind of defeats the purpose of getting a more active life.) - or perhaps the pain pump inplants.

I would love to hear others' experiences and comments.