NeuroTalk Support Groups - New to forum, need help with MRI results

NeuroTalk Support Groups (https://www.neurotalk.org/)

- Occipital Neuralgia and other Cranial Neuralgias (https://www.neurotalk.org/occipital-neuralgia-and-other-cranial-neuralgias/)

- - New to forum, need help with MRI results (https://www.neurotalk.org/occipital-neuralgia-and-other-cranial-neuralgias/183822-forum-help-mri-results.html)

Okay, that makes sense. I do have weakness in my right arm. I am constantly dropping things and the pain/tingling/numbness occurs pretty much all the time, it's just worse at other times than others.

Thanks again for your input. I am definitely going to explore the PT route again before considering surgery but I am not optimistic since it's been done before and and within usually a month or 2 of discontinuing, the pain is back with a vengeance.

Quote:

Originally Posted by imsdac (Post 956371)

Yes, my symptoms are on the right side. I have constant pounding headaches that radiate up from the base of my skull and have been treated with occipital nerve blocks (how I was diagnosed with occipital neuralgia in the first place. I also have pain in my neck and shoulder (scapular area) that radiates down my right arm like a "pinched nerve" feeling. It disturbs my sleep and my daily life. I have trouble turning my head to the right and I have to sleep with my right arm completely extended otherwise I get extreme pain with numbness & tingling.

I've had this pain for many years but it's gotten much worse in the past 3 to 4 years. I've had 2 years of physical therapy, massages, chiro, and the injections. I don't mind the nerve block injections but the relief never lasts longer than 6 weeks and my neuro doesn't want to keep giving them over and over which is what led us to look for a root cause.

Intresting ---seems you got hit with double whammy here --Im sorry!!. Seeing you tried everything and Im not a dr ---a fusion would not be that bad in your case would be called a single fusion or acdf --not sure how old you are but it gave me life --and im guessing from what im reading your prob are not going to get better just my oppinion . If you want I will be happy to answer more ?? ---only your dr can tell you for sure if this is a viable option.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mg neck prob (Post 956374)

I'm a 43 year old female. And no, it's fine, you've been very helpful. Thank you so much. I'm still waiting for my neurologist to call to go over the results with me so I will wait and see what her recommendations are. I'm just fed up of the pain! lol... the muscle relaxants work okay but don't last long and I only take them at night. I'm not taking any other pain meds other than advil and it just doesn't do anything. Thanks again for all your help :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by imsdac (Post 956375)

Anytime your more then welcome-- and just know I wish you all the best and im in here all the time feel free to reach out if i can help. Let me know what your neuro say's as i would be very intrested. Best Always!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by mg neck prob (Post 956396)

Thanks! I will let you know what she says for sure once she calls me :)

What kind of work do you do?
Much of what you mentioned for symptoms can overlap with condition called thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS).

You might want to explore our forum for it just in case it may apply.
Here is the link to one of the useful sticky threads on the TOS forum -
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread84.html

Hi i just got some mri results and im doing so much research im getting confused my results are as follows:
l1-l4 normal apperance
l4-l5 minimal bulgin of disc is present diffusely and mild ligamentum flavum hypertrophy and facet hypertrophy are present. there is no central canal stenosis. there is mild right and mild to moderate left foraminal narrowing.

l5-s1 mild diffuse bulding of disc is present central annular tear is present. Mild ligamentum flavum hypertrophy and facet hypertrophy are present. These findings cause mild forminal narrowing bilaterally. There is no central canal stenosis.

what im wondering is what this all means and do i have weight restrictions i have been told not to pick up my grand children and to take this year off of bowling. Please can someone give me some advice thanks and god bless

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheba71 (Post 1013575)

You may want to repost on a new thread so more people will see it What are your symptoms?
Since you have no spinal canal narrowing they will probably treat you conserving ally with PT. My 1st herniated disc of occurred when my son was 2 and I strongly believe that picking him up all the time contributed. I had a fusion and another baby and neck got worse again when he got heavy.
Reccomend you avoid it whenever possible and ask for PT, maybe traction.
Take care of your neck or you could end up with 5 more herniated discs like me!

Edit: the torn disc isnt good but i think you can still avoid surgery. Try to find a PT that can teach you how to avoid injury. Do the exercises faithfully without pain. I cannot bowl anymore but you may get better if you are careful. I was in so much pain with my first one he surgery was a gift. Now am in pain all the time but not as intense and surgery not An option anyway.

Don't be scared. Life goes on.

If a C5-C6 steroid injection relieves your symptoms, it indicated that is the root of your problem and just be treated by an orthopaedic surgeon who specializes in the cervical spine. It might well require something as little as a non-invasive procedure done with a small surgical device like a surgical arthroscope to remove the offending material. Your first need: FIND THAT SPECIALIST!