[Vowel Lady]

Although probably NOT for everyone, IMHO, it is for MOST.
Read books re: the back by Dr. John Sarno and follow his advice.
Consider taking the supplement (s) Glucosamine and Chondroitin (sp???)
I would dothese things FIRST and do them with the expectation that they can and will work before I would seriously consider heavy duty medicines and/or surgery.
Again, perhaps not for everyone, but I do think this will will work for most people if taken seriously and given time.

[MalindaK]

Hi Cortopia,
My husband has VA benefits and they use a research hospital here nearby for specialties. What part of the world are you stationed?

You could ask.
Malinda

OTE=cortopia;861493]I am going to try to keep this brief (fortunately for all of you ) I am 35 years old. 3 years ago I was diagnosed with fibro along the way to that I had an incedental finding of lumbar spondylosis. That is all I know about that. It locks up it hurts. Doctors don't care. I has a bone scan than and that was the only area with inflammation. So now 3 years later my condition has worsened. The symptoms are numerous but wound up in neurology. Failed neuro exams. Doc was pretty determined ms only one small lesion on brain scan. So on to spine. Well I meet with him for the results of that he says well your neck is a mess but no ms. Says he will see me in 3 months and hands me my mri report. Which I read alone in my car and is as follows:
Cervical mri images demonstrate reversal or normal lordotic curve at c4-5 c5-6, with significant disc disease involving c3-4,c4-5 and c5-6 levels.
There is significant signal loss and height loss. Cervical spondylosis is noted with decreased t1 signal intensity involving the c5 and c6 vertebral bodies.
C3-4 level demonstrates mild diffuse disc bulge with marginal irregularity
c4-5. Level demonstrates mild diffuse disc bulge with moderate right sided broad based herniation and moderate to severe right sided neural forminal stenosis
C5-6 level same as above with an annular tear also noted.

I am proactively seeking treatment else where. However I had to fight with my primary to get the referrals to do so. (Oh I didn't mention I am a navy wife and stuck in the navy health care system).
NO one has explained these results to me. I researched them on my own. However the picture is still fuzzy because there's not a place where you can put all the findings in and get an opinion. That's why I have come here. Is this no big deal as my neuro and primary have made it out to be? I am really concerned as 3 years ago this didn't exsist. I have no clue about the actual state of my lumbar and my neuro signs and walking abilities are horrible. Having the fibro dx though means pain period so that's pretty much unchanging.
So opinions? Can I just ignore this? Is it dangerous to ignore? What would you do if this was your neck?
I appreciate any input as I tend to trust the people in the trenches more than my doctors. Especially since if you read all this your spending more time thinking about my situation than them. [/QUOTE]

[ginnie]

I don't know if I answered you before. I am rushed this a.m. with more to do than I have time. I had almost the same situation as you have in your neck. We can talk about it more in depth later on if you would PM me. It has been my experience you should NOT ignor this neck problem. I reversed the curve of my neck as well, and have had two spinal fusions. I would prefer talking by phone as my explaination is rather lenghly. One thing good in your favor is that the main words same "mild" it is when they save "severe" degenerative changes that things take a turn. I sure would like to explain my oppinion on this since it happend to me. PM me if you would like more information. take care of yourself, ginnie

[MalindaK]

In Oregon, the VA refers to a local Research hospital next door. It's a very good hospital. I have a friend with similar symptoms and he was just about a zombie on pain meds. They referred him to the pain clinic at OHSU. And the spine clinic.
I wish you the best.
Malinda

Originally Posted by cortopia

I am going to try to keep this brief (fortunately for all of you ) I am 35 years old. 3 years ago I was diagnosed with fibro along the way to that I had an incedental finding of lumbar spondylosis. That is all I know about that. It locks up it hurts. Doctors don't care. I has a bone scan than and that was the only area with inflammation. So now 3 years later my condition has worsened. The symptoms are numerous but wound up in neurology. Failed neuro exams. Doc was pretty determined ms only one small lesion on brain scan. So on to spine. Well I meet with him for the results of that he says well your neck is a mess but no ms. Says he will see me in 3 months and hands me my mri report. Which I read alone in my car and is as follows:
Cervical mri images demonstrate reversal or normal lordotic curve at c4-5 c5-6, with significant disc disease involving c3-4,c4-5 and c5-6 levels.
There is significant signal loss and height loss. Cervical spondylosis is noted with decreased t1 signal intensity involving the c5 and c6 vertebral bodies.
C3-4 level demonstrates mild diffuse disc bulge with marginal irregularity
c4-5. Level demonstrates mild diffuse disc bulge with moderate right sided broad based herniation and moderate to severe right sided neural forminal stenosis
C5-6 level same as above with an annular tear also noted.

I am proactively seeking treatment else where. However I had to fight with my primary to get the referrals to do so. (Oh I didn't mention I am a navy wife and stuck in the navy health care system).
NO one has explained these results to me. I researched them on my own. However the picture is still fuzzy because there's not a place where you can put all the findings in and get an opinion. That's why I have come here. Is this no big deal as my neuro and primary have made it out to be? I am really concerned as 3 years ago this didn't exsist. I have no clue about the actual state of my lumbar and my neuro signs and walking abilities are horrible. Having the fibro dx though means pain period so that's pretty much unchanging.
So opinions? Can I just ignore this? Is it dangerous to ignore? What would you do if this was your neck?
I appreciate any input as I tend to trust the people in the trenches more than my doctors. Especially since if you read all this your spending more time thinking about my situation than them.

[ginnie]

The reason why I would not ignor this is because I did. I had pain and neuro problems a long time. Once the curve of your spine, changes, and these disks start to buldge, there are forthcoming problems. I let mine go to the point that C6-7 was "severe" I had that fused. Unfortunately I was never told, just what the rest of the condition of my neck was. Each one of mine, I later found out had "Mild" to "severe" problems. After 6 years, they all fell over on each other just like dominos. I was fused C3-7. I didn't investigate enough as I just wanted the relief from Pain. I went to a pain doctor thinking that is all I could do. The pain specialist after doing a katemine infusion was able to "see the condition of my spine and I got the referral to the next neruo surgeon. These degenerative conditions, need to be dicussed fully with your neurosurgeon, even through the Navy wife situation. All your options need to be explained to you, including what happens if you do nothing. Often there are therapies they can try first. And I would exhaust all options before agreeing to surgery. Doing the homework and totally understanding your MRI and your doctor is essential for making an informed choice. I really do understand how you feel, and the pain involved with this condition. Just ask all the questions, and make sure they answer you so that you do understand all that is involved. Please do go for another opinion too. I wish you all the best with this condition. ginnie