Suspect symptomatic Tarlov cysts
 

Hello,
I have had back pain for almost 2 months now (seemed to be triggered by heavy lifting, but just continued to get worse and worse until I basically stopped doing much of anything) - after hearing several guesses from 2 nurse practitioners and a physician ranging from "maybe you have arthritis" to a suspected herniated disc at L5-S1, I insisted on an MRI - lumbar area looked quite good - no herniations seen, but bilateral sacral cysts were mentioned in passing -doctor ignored them - once I researched them, I insisted on a sacral MRI, which showed "bilateral cysts within the S2 sacral foramina, each measuring 1.5 cm, smooth remodeling of the osseous walls, and exiting nerve roots are each laterally displaced and partially flattened." My reading from this is nerve impingement (my symptoms are sacral pain and sometimes sciatica and also pain on bending over). My doctor recommended a neurosurgeon at this point, saying that he had never seen anything like that on an MRI before - of course, if he routinely ignores mention of sacral cysts, he probably wouldn't. I'm a veterinarian and one thing they tell us in vet school is that more diagnoses are missed by not looking than by not knowing. Anyway, my doctor then sends me for physical therapy (which I've read can make sacral cysts worse) - I went and was absolutely miserable for 4 days straight afterward - had to take Etodolac and an entire Percocet just to get to sleep at night (even when I was bad before, a half-Percocet would suffice). I told my doctor and he still says that I should continue with PT because they "haven't ruled out (my) symptoms being caused by a muscle strain yet." Really? Because I have. I am 52 years old - I know what pain from a muscle strain feels like and this is not it. I've read a lot on line about MD's refusing to acknowledge pain from these type of cysts. Who can you go to to get a proper diagnosis? I like my doctor but, with this, I think he's in over his head - I don't trust his recommendation of PT anymore. I just don't want to do anything that will worsen the symptoms - I had actually worked myself up to walking 0.8 miles every day without needing pain meds - and PT totally reversed that progress. I live in Massachusetts - does anyone know of a neurosurgeon/neurologist around here who isn't scared to acknowledge that these cysts can cause symptoms when they're crushing nerves against bone? Please help.

Geez....."It's deja vu all over again!". Sorry if you have heard that before.....I will NEVER forget the physical therapist working with me shortly after my accident. He had me doing exercises that caused so much pain that I thought he was a sado masochist (sp?) When I received his written reports several months later, I saw that he had falsified (lied) about my progress. All in order to receive his check from the workers comp carrier. It is disgusting what some medical providers will do for a dollar.
Do your research....it is a fact that Tarlov cysts DO cause symptoms, and they can be addressed by a competent surgeon. I have hundreds of pages of medical documents relating to my case. My perseverance paid off, and I am back to work, despite the efforts of some in the workers comp industry.

Great to meet you!!
 

Tarlov Cysts Bilat C6 to L1
 

Hello all- this is my first post!
I had acute upper back pain after being on the phone with no speaker and typing for 2 hours staight last Feb 2013 (holding phone in crook of neck). The pain/parasthesia was intantly horrible and steadily progressed. I had MRI in April showing Tarlov from C6 through T3 (some right some left). Pain worsened all summer and this fall despite retirement and PT/TENS/analgesics/muscle relaxants. Md Visit again, round 2 of PT, no lifting greater than 1 pound and MRI Thoracic spine showing mostly bilateral Tarlov cyst from C7-L1.
The PT is great, using Laser, US, gentle massage - but mostly asking me questions and going from there. Great teacher. The pain right on my spine is better - before made me want to throw up and rob a drug store.
Worried that I have so many of these things. Anyone else have on so many levels? 15 levels???? I think I may also have them on my sacrum as that
is where I always had symptoms- never upper back!!!
Should I have Radiologist measure them? Any help appreciated. My doctor blew me off two but I am rather assertive.
I am a retired Nurse Practitioner.
Chattanooga.Pam

Nice to meet you!!