Ok I have posted recently about thinking I had TOS, being told its not, and a C-Spinal mri saying I have a slight problem with C6-7 with two docs not really explaining or too concerned about. This was about a month ago. Now whenever I sit to use the computer my neck really starts hurting and getting a vibrating feeling. Shouldn't I be seen by some kind of neck or spine doc? The neuro who ordered the tests recommended PT. I just want to know exactly what is going on. After spending several days with my 3 year old grandaughter I also notice my whole back hurting more than usual. Thats probley some sort of strain. Since I have fibro and cfs I sometimes feel like any symptom I bring up is overlooked, undercondsidered, etc. Am I being paraonoid or do others get this feeling? I have left a note with my doc explaining this and am waiting to see if she is going to refer me to someone. She just gave me two new referrels, one to a new rheumatologist., but forgot a new neuro for the neck thing. She had agreed to get me to a different neuro but is way behind on her paperwork. Matbe I should bring up with new rheumatologist this week?

Hi . I don't think you're being "paranoid." It is something I'd bring up at the appointment with the rheumatologist. Your rheumatologist can make the referral to another neuro and then cross-reference or ask that a copy of that neuro's report also go to your physician.

Too, if you've not received a copy of the written report about your MRI, I'd ask the doctor (who ordered the MRI) for a copy of that report.

Once you have it, if you want, please post what the report notes re: your C6-7 and the "Findings" or "Impressions" and someone here will very likely help in understanding it.

Hi There!
Sorry to say, I had the same difficulty. Sitting at the comp can be the woest of times for me, except work where I am a Printer and carry heavy loads all day. My MRI showed problems at C5-6 and C6-7 and the first neuro told me to do some stretching for a month or so and see him again,as the mri wasn't "too bad".I asked for a second opinion, waited a month for the appt. and the new neuro said it looked bad..he ordered a discogram (to me it sounded like something invented by john travolta...haha) and it showed both discs were in very bad shape. He will do ACDF at the end of February. So you see...after 3-4 months of being pro-active, I finally got results. I hope this helps, and if you post your mri, i could compare it with mine, as my symptoms mirror yours in a way.
Best of Luck,
Dave

Hello,
No, I do not think in my opinion that you are being too paranoid. I have been in pain everyday 24-7 for the last 4 or more years. I still do not understand all that of which is causing the pain and other things going on with my Cervical Spine.

In 2004, I had been on every type of anti infamitory medication and also found to have non alcoholic fatty liver disease, and have a hiatal hernia and GERD, along with some other psych and developmental disorders.

I do not total understand the reports I have managed to get hold of and read for myself. I only know that the first MRI of my Cervical Spine showed a bone spur in the C6-7 part of my cervical spine and I tried physical therapy and that did not help and now am in pain all the time especially here at the computer I started Pain Management in 2004, then had another MRI in 2005 to compare with the one from 2003.

The report said that I have a Disc Bulge in my C5-6 as well as a Disc Bulge and Bone Spur in the C6-7. Also says have Degenerative Disc Disease in C5-6, and C6-7. Diagnosis being progression between the MRI in 2003 compared to 2005, is that the C6-7 says that now the C6-7 shows narrowing of the central canal and that I have Frank Stenosis in the C6-7 of cervical spine.

I have seen two neurologists since 2004 and 2 Neurosurgeons all who say that there is no chance of a discectomy in relief of the pain and most likely not or would not make it through surgery. I do not understand it. I know in 2004 I had pain in my neck, shoulders, and upper back between the shoulder blades and this thing of the CSpine has pulled my 'lordosis' out of its natural curvature. I am in my early thirty's and since 2004, the pain has gotten so much more, I am not able to tolerate laying flat and sleep in a reclining chair.

I now have pain in my feet and numbness in my hands, and I am so frustrated with this and feel people do not understand I may look normal on the outside, but laying down does not help and sitting is painful and I take pain medications that seem to do almost seems little.

I am now taking MS Contin 60mg Tid, Methadose 40mg tab dispersed QID, and for breakthrough pain Oxycodone HCL 15mg tablets one or two every 4-6 hours as needed not to exceed 5 per 24h period. Valium 10mg Qid, Baclofen 10mg Tid, I am still in severe pain and mostly from the C6-7 which I do not understand.

I would suggest that if it progresses or SOON to have another mri and try and catch this early. I hope that your pain eases and they can find out what is wrong with your c6-7. I am sorry for all the negative I just wanted you to know and explain some of my experiences with the C-6-7 problems. I wish you the best and hope to hear how your doing with this.

I can't believe they wont consider discectomy...my symptoms with the shoulder blades and arms....laying and sitting...and computer all sound similar. Pain meds help but not much (fentanyl patch and Oxycodone) my surgery is feb 28th and my neuro is very (if not overly) enthusiastic and confident.
Best of luck,
Dave

Thank you for all the nice replies. I was thinking seeing an orthopedic doc would be the way to go...but seems like neurology is also involved? The neuro I was seeing and gave me a PT referral didn't seem to think or say anything about seeing any other kind of doctor. My symptoms had seemed like TOS and it seems from this forum that is a very hard dx to get.

I posted my mri report result somewhere but here it is: " MRI shows normal signal intensity in the cord. There is a minimal central bulge of the C6-7 disk, not actually deforming the sac but containing a tiny annular fissure. Particular attention is paid to the left neural foramina, the appear patent without evidence of bony or soft tissue encroachment. There is no identifiable mass in the region of the brachial plexus, but please be advised that this study was not performed as a dedicated brachial plexus study.

IMPRESSION: Minimal bulge of C6-7 disk with a tiny annular fissure without any left lateralizing abnormalities identified. "

Remember, this study was done to see if it was TOS. My primary care also said it was basically just getting old....? Well I have even noticed if I sit a certain way the sensation goes up left side into head sort of tingly. ANd I have heard others on forum say that a brachial plexus study was the way they got dx! THe MRA was also clear, re the arteries.

Oh well, I will see what happens next.

i hope you find out what is going on with your pain. express all of your concerns with your dr.