I had breast cancer and a bi lateral mastectomy is March of this year. I also have severe bone and joint pain. I had an mri last week and am now being sent to a spine surgeon. I'm having trouble understanding this report and can't get in to see this surgeon till jan 11, 2012. My primary care dr doesn't feel my body is ready for another major surgery, as i still am in thr process of breast reconstruction, but my pain is getting overwhelming. Is anyone out here good at understanding these mri findings? Thank you!!

Hi Jade01

Sorry to hear about all you're going through. I would to agree with your dr if he says you're not ready for another surgery, spine surgery is major surgery also, and it seems like your body is going through enough right now.

Perhaps some physiotherapy or passive treatments may help with your pain.

There are lots of people on this forum that can help you understand your MRI, I've had about 5 of them myself (and lots others on here have had as many or more) so I'm pretty good at reading and understanding them.

Post what the findings are from your MRI and I will try to help you decifer it's meaning.

Wishing you well,
Cathie

Thank you so much!! Report says L2-3 moderate asymetric bulge greater towards right, mild spinal stenosis
L3-4 moderate bulge, mild facet hypertrophy , mild left lateral recess and neural foramen stenosis
L4-5 Moderate bulge, moderate facet hypertrophy, mild spinal stenosis
L5-S1 moderate bulge a facet hypertrophy, moderate right neural foramen stenosis

Degenerative changes and dextro convex scoliosis of lumbar spine
Any input here would be appreciated. This is a nightmare, after a nightmare. I haven't even finished breast reconstruction and have to deal with this as well. I tried the pain pills and threw up within a half hour. Can't even get in till Jan 11th. This is going to be a painful holiday for sure!! Thank you for responding!! Bless you all! Sandy

great advise all over

and an abundance of support

be well

Hi Jade, to NT.

Call your doctor and report the incident with the pain pills and ask for something different. Offer to turn in the remainder of the bad pills (as a gesture of good faith that you're not just drug-seeking [and I'm not implying/suggesting that you are!]) There's no reason you should have to go through this in pain.

Google: talk doctor pain

It might help to post a list of supplements you're taking; there should be some calcium stuff and vit. D for bones (have you been tested for osteoporosis?) and something like Glucosamine & Chondroitin for joints.

When you're recoverd & healed enough from surgery, physical therapy may help, and is usually first-line therapy prescribed.

This is a process, and may take some time, so let's see if we can address the pain first.

Doc

Hi Sandy,

I'm definately NOT a doctor, but I've had enough MRI's of my own explained to me that I should be able to give you a little bit of info on yours... here's what I understand it to mean... if I get anything wrong, someone else can jump in and correct me!! LOL

L2-3 moderate asymetric bulge greater towards right, mild spinal stenosis
This means you have a bulge in your disc (to the right) with a mild compression on your spinal cord

L3-4 moderate bulge, mild facet hypertrophy , mild left lateral recess and neural foramen stenosis
This level also has a bulge in the disc, again mild, you also have an enlargement of the facet joint (this is wear the nerves come out) and neural foramen stenosis means there is a narrowing of the area where the nerves pass through to your upper or lower limbs.

L4-5 Moderate bulge, moderate facet hypertrophy, mild spinal stenosis
This level also has a bulge, a little bit more then the above level, moderate. (everything is measured in mild, moderate or severe in these tests). Spinal stenosis means compression on the spinal cord.

L5-S1 moderate bulge a facet hypertrophy, moderate right neural foramen stenosis. Degenerative changes and dextro convex scoliosis of lumbar spine

degenerative changes occur with everyone, it's how our joints age and essential loose the cushiness and go flat as we age, scoliosis deals with the curvature of your spine, meaning it's crooked and most likely pushing on nerves causing you pain.

My descriptions are pretty basic, but it is my understanding in real terms. I had similar descriptions on my MRI.

I agree with Doc, you should address your pain issues with your doctor, I would not think it wise for you to rush into another major surgery with what your body is already healing from. Give your body a change to heal before you put it under any more stress. Be kind to yourself.

There should be a way to control your pain, so talk to your GP about this.

I hope this helps a little bit. Wishing you less pain and much healing.
Cathie

Thank you so much Cathie! I know I'm definately not ready for another major surgery. My body is still in shock from the mastectomy. It has been a long rough haul and I'm still working on regaining strength in my arms. My chest muscles still have alot of issues as well. Sometimes I can't even twist off a bottle top still! But slowly I'm getting there. I still need additional reconstruction surgeries, but minor finishing touches. Hopefully soon so I can get some closure on that issue. Thanks for deciphering that medical jargon for me. I understand now why my right leg gets that tingly numb feeling. I was attempting short term disability, and now my attorney and dr feels i should go for social security, since i basicly can't sit for long periods, or stand for long periods. Kind of hard to find a job to fit that criteria. I will be turning 50 this Saturday, but I'm a young 50. Very athletic, or at least used to be. I swam alot this past summer and that was the best therapy ever for my chest and arms, and actually helped my back also. I would look for a public pool to hit this winter, but my immune system is pretty beat up fromj lymph node removal, so it's risky for me. The last thing i need is to get an infection and reject these implants!! I appreciate your help so much!!! Thanks for being an unknown hero!!! Take Care Sandy

You're very welcome Sandy. I know how scary all this can be, and to go through cancer recovery on top of it, well, I just can't imagine. You are one strong lady!

I've been dealing with this crap for a couple years now, been off work for a year and a half, still not back, hoping to get retrained for something different come the new year (I'm a graphic designer of 20 years, but can no longer use my right hand or sit for longer than 30 mins at a computer) so my career has basically ended. I understand what you mean about finding a job that means all your accommodations. It's difficult to even fathom having to go to work through the pain we feel. But unless you've experienced it, others don't really understand.

I truly hope you get some pain relief during your healing. I would also suggest you talk to your doctor about physiotherapy and acupuncture. The physio can address your posture to relieve some pain, and the acupunture gives me some pain relief.

Take care and keep me posted on how you do.
Cathie

I am sorry you have had to go through so much. Do post your MRI results, as there are alot of people on this site who can help you make out what the report says. I hope you do not have to under go another surgery at all. Get well soon. Make sure you do all the homework after you understand your results. I look up each work on the MRI to get a clearer understanding. The same goes for a neruo surgeon. You want to get several opinions no matter what you decide. I sincerely wish you speedy recovery, and a resolution to the pain you are experiencing in your back. ginnie