Aneczka

Not sure if this would apply to your issues but I was able to get my local hospitals imaging dept. to do a mri with "extension & flexion" images of my neck and mine showed "near abutment" of the spinal cord at 3 levels....which I believe is causing my pain especially at night when I sleep.
I was told that typically those images are done on CT scans......found this protocol by a rheumatologist site who treats Fibro patients and he discovered that many of his patients had compression of their spinal cords that caused many of their symptoms.......it is interesting that this imaging is not a typical protocol.....why does it take a patient to have to discover what is possibly causing their issues ??

chloecasey

Because many doctors became doctors only because their parents wanted them to? It looks like. Thanks for your input Chloe, I will keep it in mind. Maybe I should go and see a good orthopedic? I was planning to, but cannot do it all in one week Anyway, I will keep that in mind.

Like those doctors years ago who told me to take antidepressants, without doing any blood test whatsoever. I am severely damaged now, because they didn't bother to check properly.

Hi Chloe,

I've found a place which does positional MRI (if that's what you mean) here in Greece. How did they do it for you? Did you just stand without moving, or did you move? "extension and flexion" sounds like actively moving.

Did CT scan show anything in your case?

Seen the ortopedist today. I brought my blood test results, but forgot to bring my latest MRI .. I must be tired. Anyway, he wants to see that MRI, because "I am not sure my colleagues know how to read an MRI". Makes you trust the doctors even more than I do already, ugh. And "I dont recommend standing MRI because it's too much, it wouldn't show something which doesn't show up on a normal MRI. It doesnt make sense for the upper spine anyway." Ugh? Too much? But his both hands are working, mines are not...

aneczka,

There is an article written by Dr. Andrew Holman of Pacific Rheumatology Associates...the article was written in 2008 however when I corresponded with him, he stated the protocol for how the MRI is done is still valid as what was done then.

When you do you search, type in "Andrew Holman and positional cord compression" and numerous sites will come up...click on the one titled " 2008 J Pain PC3 article-Pacific Rheuatology Associates Inc. PS....", this explains the information on his research of treating actually Fibromyalgia Patients and how it was discovered that MRI's done showed compression of the spinal cord done on flexion & extension views not seen on neutral position views.....these results were calculated based on a measurement that would be done by radiologist when they review those images. Table 1 will show the protocol that should be followed by.

When I had mine done I was laying down and there were cushion & pillows placed under my upper back to raise that area so my neck & head would bend back for the extension images and pillows placed so I was able to push my head to my chest comfortably for the flexion images. My report results did not show the "measurements" done by the radiologist so not sure how the accuracy of the findings relates other than "near abutment" sounds like a possible problem to me!

Have started seeing a Doctor close to where I live here in the U.S. as Seattle, Wasghington is not close to where I live. He is also a Rheuamtologist as well as an Internist & Pain Managment Doctor. Just had an EMG done of my legs and the Neurologist, in the same office, saw no pheripheral neuroapthy or muscle fiber disorder....I feel he needs to see my MRI images & report because I really think that there is something causing my symptoms that is related to possible cervical spinal compression......when I brought that up to him he did not seem to be really interested..... just might have to go through the Rheumy, he is a bit more receptive to listening to my concerns.

Hope this info helps for your situation

chloecasey

I assume you had your blood sugar and B-12 levels checked? You may want to see a corrective chiropractor. I believe they will understand the spine much better than a typical MD. If you are in southern CA go to John Begman.
Ron

i was losing feeling and functionality in my left hand and arm. for me, chiropractic worked very well. i was frankly quite shocked it did anything at all. there was nerve damage i was unaware of that did not show up on anything.

What did he do? I'm not sure what a chiropractic is at all. I just know physios.. and doctors.. (would rather not)