Hello, my name is Cherrish. I went into the ER on 02.12.16 and came out with enough diagnoses to make my head spin, well, that is if I wasn't so afraid to turn my neck. First, I have been Dx with trigeminal neuralgia, and yet from what I read, I am not sure that, that is an accurate Dx. I have burning, tingling that is CONSTANT on my left side of face. The level of numbness differs from day to day...today being horrific! I am on gabapentin 300mg, 3 times a day for the TN. An MRI of my brain revealed 21 lesions in the white matter of my brain, as well as mild cerebral atrophy. Yes, 21 of them suckers. Next, they moved on to a MRI of my spine and cervical area. My spine was okay, but my cervical area (neck) OMG!!!! I have "C2/3 Mild right facet joint hypertrophy. C3/4 Disc osteophyte complex with mild central canal narrowing. Minimal bilateral neural foraminal narrowing due to uncovertebral joint hypertrophy. Disc osteophyte complex with mind to moderate central canal narrowing at C4-C5 with flattening of the ventral surface of the cord, left greater than right. Moderate to sever asymmetric narrowing of left lateral recess and severe left neural foraminal narrowing due to uncovertebral joint hypertrophy. C5/6 Disc osteophyte complex with mild central canal narrowing. Mild left neural foraminal narrowing due to uncovertebral joint hypertrophy. C6/7 Disc osteophyte complex with minimal central canal narrowing." Does anyone care to explain all of that mumbojumbo????? From what I was told, the disc in my neck is bulging and I have a spur on the vertebrae and I have thickening of the ligament, which all of this is causing encroachment into my spinal canal. I was told I could do yoga, but it had to be "gentle" yoga. I am scared to even move. UGH! In addition, they did a lumber puncture (spinal tap) to get clarity in reference to the lesions on my brain...I have yet to get those results.

I AM EXTREMELY FRUSTRATED. I am trying to assemble my healthcare team and yet running into roadblocks. I went to ER today due to worsening face symptoms paired with feeling drunk after drinking no alcohol whatsoever. That was a colossal waste of time. The doctor did NOTHING and then offered me narcotics..no thanks.

Can someone help me make any sense out of this huge lead balloon that was just dropped in my lap. Thanks.

Hello Cherrish,

Welcome to the NeuroTalk Support Groups.

I'm very sorry that you're dealing with all those roadblocks as you try to figure out these results and diagnoses.

I'll leave a few links to particular forums here that may be suited to your needs right now.

Spinal Disorders & Back Pain Forum

There is a Sticky thread at the top there and this is the direct link below. It may be helpful for you in understanding some of the terms used.

Medical Dictionary & MRI/CT Scan Terminology

Trigeminal Neuralgia Forum

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You have an awful lot going on with your health right now and I'm very sorry about that. I hope your doctors/team can get it together and offer you some help. I'm sure the members here will be able to offer as much support and information as they can while you're waiting for the results of your LP.

take care of yourself.

Hello and Welcome Cherrish,

You must certainly be frustrated and worried. Anybody would be. I hope you are able to find compassionate and skilled providers quickly who can figure out how best to help you.

If you haven't arranged a consult with a spine specialist or neurosurgeon they may be the best place to interpret that MRI for you and come up with a treatment plan. Nerve impingement varies in severity and sometimes requires urgent treatment for optimal outcome. Sometimes it is just a matter of PT and lifestyle changes. They can let you know what options you have. There really is quite a lot they can do in some cases.

In the meantime, if you can identify anything that makes it worse, position/activities/etc., hold off on those things until you get seen....

I hope you find relief and answers soon. so sorry for what you're going through,

Hello and welcome, happy to see you have come to be with us, it a great place to be. We have a great number and caring fellow members here, where you have find a supportive and relaxing place. Have fun looking into the different forums. Our shoulders are here for support in many ways.

Please keep us up to date on your condition. Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Darlene

basically you have arthritis and associated spinal stenosis of the cervical spine...as in millions of others. I read a lot of mild/moderate in your post. I understand how the reports can be scary when you read them, but I can assure you that from what you posted...it is very typical and depending on your age, would be consider as age appropriate degeneration. I have arthritis and spondylolistheis at L4 and I am 57. The top ortho spine surgeon at U of Chicago called my spine 'age appropriate' degeneration. they only suggest surgery for me because it is not stable, but moving and they want to minimize nerve damage. I think you are going to be okay once you learn what you can and cannot do. BTW...I work with an extremely fit personal trainer that has severe arthritis and 5 herniated disks in her cervical and you'd never know it! I hope this helps you!