New to forum, need some advice please
 

I started having shoulder pain last month. I went to see my doc and she had me use muscle relaxers and gabapentin, that didn't help, the pain got worse. It was no longer an ache, it was not a burning sensation and it was moving from my back shoulder blade to my armpit. She sent me for Ct of the chest to check for a embolism, the CT came back fine. She then did an EKG, it was fine. At this point, the pain was no longer just in my shoulder and in my armpit, it was also in my arm and the leg on that side of my started feeling weaker than the other leg. She sent me for three MRIs, neck, back and brain and referred me to a Neurologist. I had the MRI's and saw the Neurologist, who is referring me to spine surgeon. The findings of the neck MRI were most likely the cause of my pain.

Here are the findings =
C5-6 right paracentral disc protusion and osteophyte formation with moderate right canal stenosis and mild anterior cord flattening. There is right greater than left foraminal narrowing.
C3-4 mild spondylosis with mild right foraminal narrowing.
C6-7 mild central disc bulge with mild canal stenosis.

Ok, so I've done some research on the web,but I'm not sure how bad these findings are. My Neurologist could use some work on his delivery, he led with I'm referring you to a spine surgeon. This of course freaked me out, to which he replied maybe I won't need surgery "yet". I then told him neck surgery would be high on my list of things I would never want to do.

I see the ortho surgeon next week, but I would some of your thoughts on my condition.

Also, I'm now on day 6 of Lyrica and I don't feel it having any impact. I'm also not getting as much relief from my pain meds, I don't now if my tolerance is higher or if my pain is higher now. The pain in my leg has been getting worse everyday. My knee hurts and I get random pains in my leg. My brain MRI did show white matter that my Neurologist matter a fact told me if there were 9 or 10 of them he would think I have MS. I go to see him a month.

I'm stunned how quickly this has happened, I wasn't in an accident, nothing caused this and here I am a month later, miserable. Thoughts?

Thanks.

I'll try to help ---

C5-6 You have a disc herniation bone spurs and moderate right spinal canal stenosis. Stenosis means that the spinal canal is getting narrow on the right. You also have anterior spinal cord flattening. The herniation must be impinging the cord so as to flatten it. There is also foraminal narrowing. The foramen are the holes that the nerves pass thru to get to the spinal cord. Yours are getting narrow.

C3-4 Mild spondylosis (any/many forms of degenerative diseases of the spine) with right foraminal narrowing. (see above).

C6-7 Mild central disc bulge with mild spinal canal stenosis. (see above)


The only area of concern I might have is at C5-6 where the spinal cord is being compromised. I'm glad you're seeing a surgeon next week. I hope it is a NEUROSURGEON!!! But PLEASE do NOT jump into surgery! There may be some things you don't know about spine surgery.

First, surgery is ONLY for mechanical problems. Surgery will NOT "fix" the pain. You will probably have the same pain or worse after surgery. If any doctor tells you he can eliminate your pain, RUN. He can't do that. :rolleyes: When I kept going back to my Neurosurgeon after surgery because of horrible pain, he said "You can't have pain, I fixed you!" Oh brother. Anyway, after surgery, there is also the "domino effect." The areas above and below the surgery site will fail causing you to need MORE surgery. They fail because they have to take on more of the load. Doctors don't tell you this.

Later studies have shown that people who have had surgery have the same results as people who have had physical therapy! Now, in your case I'm not sure if that would work or not. It would be worth a try for a while, but not too awfully long. I don't know how long your cord has been impinged, but I recently found out that nerves/etc. become PERMANENTLY damaged after having been "let go" for 18 months average, so you wouldn't want to let things get out of hand.

I wish you the very best. Let us know what ends up happening, will you PLEASE? I'd really like to know. God bless and please take care. Hugs, Lee

[I agree with Leesa (almost) --but I would like to add if your spinal cord compressed --surgery might be your only viable option. I agree it should be a last resort....after all conservative measure have been tried. The only part--I dont totally agree with Leesa on --respectfully Lee--- (u know i think you awesome) --is yes surgery is for mechanical issuess--but for alot of people it provides pain relief as well ---it did for me. I was fused c4 thru c7. But there are risk with this surgery-- as with any surgery--- it should be a last resort. You should always get 2-3 consults. I honestly say I have no regrets with my surgery---- but I also had no choice as all 4 disc were pressing the spinal cord. Without surgery I would have became parlyzed. For me the surgery gave me my life back. I strongly agree last resort!! Best wishes!!

i to have all 4disc damage.the same as you (all)have.my surgeon has not done surgery on me yet.he just sent me to a "pain'spec.and like you im fill with all kind of pain killers(yes even gabapetin!:wink:).i have been like this since 2009.it just gets worst for me though.i guess soon i may have to have it to(surgery:()

i also have "fibro"(if my disc were'nt enough:()

Thank you for all your responses. I've never been much for pain meds and I'm not liking how I feel emotional all the time now. I've stopped taking the lyrica now, so hopefully I will regain more of my old self. Thanks again. I'll post again on Tuesday after I see the surgeon.

Thank you for your responses. I'll post on Tuesday after I see the spine surgeon.

Wow, what an eye opener.
 

I had my appt. today and it was horrible. I waited 40 minutes to get past the waiting area. Then some X-rays were taken, then more waiting. Then we moved to a room and waited, met the physicians asst. answered her questions. Came prepared with a typed statement of the chronological order of my symptoms and medications tried so far. She thanks me for that. She reviewed the sheet I had filled out for them and at the end she noted "I see steroids wont be an option for you." I have been having an adverse reaction to them and noted it on my statement and their form. We then waited another 25 minutes in the room to see the surgeon. When he came in the room, my mom pressed the record button on my phone. I wanted to record the visit. He immediately said its an insult to record someone without their permission. I told him I planned to ask him if it was ok to record. We weren't hiding it, it was on the chair in plain sight. He said ok to recording and he then proceeded to ask me about my neck pain. This told me he hadn't looked at any of my information. I specifically stated I don't have any neck pain. I explained my information all over again and he did some reflex tests and had me walk on my toes to the door. He then looked at the MRI and X-rays they took. He asked if my MRI was an open one and I said yes, does it matter? He said yes, they're not as good. He then proceeded to tell me I don't need neck surgery, that he didn't know what was wrong with me. I asked him to guess, he guessed that I had vasculitis. He then said he could give me an injection. I asked of what ? Guess what, steroids.. I explained that wouldn't be an option for me and he suggested I go back to my neurologist. What a waste of time. I understand if he doesn't know what's wrong with me..but to suggest vasculitis then offer a steroid injection, wow..

I'm now looking for another doctor to get a second opinion. Am I overreacting or does this doctor take the cake? Thanks

How ironic.
 

Yesterday during my appt, the doctor did some moves with my neck, asking if they hurt. Only one had some pain in the middle of my neck. Last night, my neck started hurting! It hasn't hurt yet, until last night, after seeing him. The pain moved down my back and I had to take some muscle relaxers. I plan to complain about him on every forum I can and call the practice and put in a formal complaint. I don't blame him for the pain in my neck now, I don't think it was intentional on his part, just part of the exam. I just feel it's very ironic.
Now I have left and right back pain, wonderful..

[I'm now looking for another doctor to get a second opinion. Am I overreacting or does this doctor take the cake? Thanks[/QUOTE]


I dont think your overreacting at all. Vasulitis ???---based that on why dignostic test done --have u had a biopsy or do you have lupis or automuine disease if I remember right isnt that inflamation of your arteries?? I wouldnt take any diagnosis with out test done to show me. Yes def need a 2nd opinion--what kind of dr was he?