Hi I am new here. I am a 55 yr old female. I have problems in my neck area with herniated and bulging discs at several levels. I also have radiculapathy in both of my arms. My symptoms include pain from neck thru shoulders and in my arms down to my fingers with numbness off and on in my fingers. Sometimes fourth finger and pinky and much of the pain goes into my third middle finger, mostly on my left hand. The pain in my arms can be almost anywhere and is a lot in my top part of my arms front and a lot in back and around the elbow but also below my elbows down on into my hands. I also experience pain down in back of my shoulders with pain shooting up from my shoulder blades, a lot on the right side.

I am on Lyrica 100 mg 3x day and 10mg Flexeril twice a day. Even on these meds my pain pretty much stays at about a 3-4 level all the time. I don't sleep well, I toss and turn all night .I have had these problems for awhile. The Neuro Dr told me about 3 yrs ago he could do surgery the but I decided not to. I dont want surgery, dread it. I want to go as long as I can without it, but I am afraid the time is running out and I will probably have no choice.

My Primary Care Dr just ordered a new MRI on my neck. after showing him the MRI report from 3 yrs ago, he said that I have to go see a neurosurgeon and only commented that I had some serious problems that need to be looked at by a specialist. I did the MRI and I have the report but dont understand any of it. He referred me to Shreveport, La LSU Hospital. They are supposed to call me with an appt but I know that they are probably backed up from past experience so it may be awhile before seeing anyone up there. Could someone please help me to understand the reading of this report? I would be so appreciative of any help! The report is as follows:

FINDINGS: There is loss of the normal cervical lordosis. Note is made of congenital narrowing of the cervical spine. Vertebral body height and alignment are maintained throughout the cervical spine. No abnormal signal within the spinal cord. The craniocervical junction is unremarkable.
Multilevel intervertebral disc dessication. Intervertebral disc height is maintained throughout the cervical spine. No abnormal marrow signal. The paravertebral soft tissues are unremarkable.

C2-C3 Unremarkable

C3-C4 Intervertebral disc bulge. The central canal is narrowed to 8 mm. No neural foraminal narrowing.

C4-C5 Right paracentral intervertebral disc protrusion which narrows the right lateral recess and contacts the right side of the cord. The central canal is narrowed to 8 mm. There is mild right neural foraminal narrowing. No left neural foraminal narrowing.

C5-C6 Diffuse intervertebral disc bulge with superimposed left paracentral disc protrusion. There is complete effacement of the ventral subarachnoid space. The left paracentral disc protrusion narrows the left lateral recess and contacts the left side of the cord. The central canal is narrowed tp 7 mm. Moderate bilateral neural foraminal narrowing.

C6-C7 Diffuse intervertebral disc bulge with right lateral disc protrusion. Complete effacement of the ventral subarachnoid space and contact of the central cord. The central canal is narrowed to 6 mm. Severe right and mild left neural foraminal narrowing.

C7-T1 Diffuse intervertebral disc bulge with superimposed right lateral disc protrusion. Complete effacement of the ventral subarachnoid space. The central canal is narrowed to 7 mm. No neural foraminal narrowing.

IMPRESSION: Congenital narrowing of the cervical spinal canal with multilevel intervertebral disc bulges and protrusions. At C4-C5, right paracentral disc protrusion contacts the right side of the cord. At C5-C6, left paracentral disc protrusion contacts the central aspect of the cord. At C7-T1, diffuse intervertebral disc bulge narrows the spinal canal to 7 mm.

Thanks in advance for any help....