[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]

Welcome to Neuro Talk. I am sorry you are going through this at a young age. I don't think you should ignor this. Several words in your MRI do indeed present a problem. I have Cervical issues myself, and have had spinal fusion twice. Cervical spondylosis is abnormal wear and tear on your verterbre. When the word "mild" is used, there is less reason to worry. In your case it said Significant disk disease at the level of C3-6. You do have disk buldge but that is presenting "mild." That is where the disk is being compressed. I would get another opinion. You always want to rule out all possible therapies before investigating a surgical approach. Because this is painful for you, I would not ignor it. I did that, and wound up with a second fusion. See a really good Neruologist, and ask all the questions you can. I know you said your were military. My son is too, and it took too long of a time in my opinion to go through the system. He had thyroid cancer, and it took way to long for him to get response from his doctors and have it investigated. Consider an outside source of Physicans if you can do it. Please do all your homework, and seek another professional. I really do wish you all the best in what ever you decide to do. Thank you for your service to our country. ginnie

[joojee22]

This is going to be my babblings:

As far as your neck, I have the same type of herniation on just one level C5/C6 (you have multiple levels) Do you have radicular pain running down your arm? Treatment for these herniations seems to be based on the type of pain that you are experiencing from the bulge. If there is no pain there is no reason to worry about it.

What type of pain do you think you have from the bulges?

Next, something to think about, fibromyalgia has been linked to low thyroid hormones, 98% of the people who increase their thyroid hormone (regardless of whether their test results show low) get relief from thyroid medication. If left untreated fibro can progress to MS. I think Low Dose Naltrexone might help with that situation, if you have not already visit www.lowdosenaltrexone.org that’s of topic but thought I would throw in my 2 cents.. I worry about MS myself... argh..

Hope you get to feeling better.

[Leesa]

Hi ~ This is what I "see" from your MRI ---

The curve of your neck is not "normal" -- You have some bone spurs at C5-6.
The "significant disc disease" involving C3 thru C6 is undoubtedly degenerative disc disease, which is drying out of the discs, which is caused by aging & normal wear & tear. Everyone gets it -- some of us sooner than others. It causes the discs to dry out, which flattens them & makes them bulge. Thus that's why you have bulges at those levels. At C4-5 you have a herniation along with foramen stenosis. The foramen is the hole that the nerves pass thru to the spinal cord. That has been severely narrowed.

I realize that you have to use the Navy doctors. However if there is ANY way at all, I'd really suggest getting another opinion!! I don't think there is any emergency but I'm NO DOCTOR. If you have any neurological impairments, i.e. severe pain, severe numbness & tingling, then this needs to be looked into as soon as possible as you don't want any permanent nerve damage.

I wish you the very best of luck! Please let us know what happens. God bless & take care. Hugs, Lee

[Dr. Smith]

Originally Posted by joojee22

If left untreated fibro can progress to MS.

Would you please provide a source/citation for this? Thanks.

Doc

[Kitty]

Originally Posted by Dr. Smith

Would you please provide a source/citation for this? Thanks.

Yes, I'd love to know, too. I actually have MS and have never heard this from anyone.....patient or doctor.

[ginnie]

I re-read your post. I too have never heard of fibro turning to MS. My cousin has MS, and that was never mentioned. ginnie

[Dr. Smith]

Originally Posted by joojee22

If left untreated fibro can progress to MS.

I'm also curious what/which treatment(s) would prevent this? I thought I was aware of most/all recognized/accepted treatments for FM, and I don't know how any of those could conceivably prevent MS.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fib...ents-and-drugs

Thanks,

Doc

[Dubious]

Originally Posted by joojee22

If left untreated fibro can progress to MS.

Nothing on Medline on this??

[Poodlemom]

Originally Posted by Dr. Smith

Would you please provide a source/citation for this? Thanks.

Doc

Hi ! New here and saw this . I have never in all my many years in the healthcare world heard that Fibro progresses to MS. Lord I hope not anyway. There are a ton of people running around with fibro diagnosis, and it makes me sad to think they could end up with MS. I am certain there are people with this dual diagnosis, but I don't know about Fibro being a precursor to MS. Sure hope someone can wade in here with some solid info on this disturbing news.