Just came back from picking up Alan's latest MRI which he took this past monday.

Here's the IMPRESSION:

1. There is moderate stenosis of the canal at the L3-L4 and L4-L5 levels as a result of productive changes of the facet joints.
2. Mild central disc ridge complex L5-S1 without stenosis.
3. No disc herniations seen.
4. Hemangionma L4 vertebral body.
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Now I brought over the report to Alan's doctor, Dr. Fred (whom we both adore). He referred us to a neurosurgeon and Alan made the appointment. He and I are going on November 3.

Now I asked Dr. Fred if he had anything for Alan to sleep at night because his neuopathy is driving him crazy and he won't be receiving his prescription of xanax until probably Monday (costco screwed up and it is presently on it's way to us).

So alan needed something for 4 or 5 days. The doctor said "would he try Lyrica?" I said "I don't think so because a long time ago he tried Neurontin and he got deathly sick. I told him Alan did it twice just to make sure and he got sick both times, so Neurontin is out. Then he went into his office and came out with samples of Requip. I said "oh, I know this stuff, it's for parkinson and it can make you a compulsive gambler". Dr. Fred bust out laughing and said "how do you know so much?" and I said "you can thank my friends on the neuropathy message boards.

He laughed his head off. He said "this won't interfere with Alan's other meds and it will have a sedative effect if he takes it twenty minutes before he goes to bed. He then said "when the xanax arrives, he can stop this, but see how he does on it".'It will help with the pins and needles".

So tonight Alan will take 0.5 of the Requip.

So any comments are very welcome. Do you think the Requip will do the trick for a few days. I asked him "does this take time to get into your blood stream, or will it work tonight?" he said "it will take effect tonight".

So cmon, jump on board and if you see anything in Alan's mri that you think he has a shot at an endoscopic dischectomy, give me your comments okay?

the neurosurgeon that alan is going to does this procedure, but of course we know he has to examine Alan and look at his films before he can say "oh, I can help Alan".

Alan also asked me, "whats the difference between a neurosurgeon and an orthopedic surgeon and why does he need a neurosurgeon instead of an orthopedic surgeon when orthos operate on the back.

Since I know neuro has to do with nerves and ortho has to do with other stuff, I figure somebody can clear this us for him.

thanks guys.
melody