Hi I need some help understanding my MRI..The dr said I had a bulging disc at L3-L4,mild.
Arthritis at every level
Lateral Stenosis on the right L3-L4 and L4-L5
She says all of it is in the mild stage..
I am taking fkexeril 10 mg at night, neurontin 100 mg 1 in the morning and 2 at night, Ibuprofen 800 mg 3 times a day
She says my arthritis is causing the stenosis..
Any help understanding will be greatly appreciated.

Hi Bretay ~ Can you post the WHOLE MRI report? it will give us an idea of what exactly is wrong. Do you have the report?

We can tell from the report pretty much what is going on, so if you have the report, please post it here, okay?

I'll be looking forward to seeing the report. Hugs, Lee

Hi Lee,No I don't have the report..All I know is what she told me and I was writing it down as she said it.Everything I know I have posted..Would there have been something more on there.Maybe I can get by there and see if they will give me a copy..It's at the free clinic,,so they can be a pain to deal with..

Hmm. Well, all I can tell you from what you've posted is that you have bulging discs, like you said. The discs are between the vertebra and keep you from having bone on bone. They are soft tissue and when they bulge, sometimes they push on nerves, but not always.

Spinal stenosis is when the spinal canal gets narrower due to some condition or another. Your doc says it's due to arthritis -- it's probably osteoarthritis, which we get as we get older. I assume that's the kind you have since you have it at every level.

You're taking a very LOW dose of Neurontin, and I doubt it's doing you any good at all. BUT this is just MY opinion, but you're taking ALOT of Ibuprofen, and it's very hard on your stomach. You could have sudden bleeding episodes, and become anemic! You MUST be very careful with this, and watch your stools -- if you notice that your stools are black or have blood in them, CALL YOUR DOCTOR as that indicates internal bleeding. Is the Ibuprofen helping at all?

How are your pain levels? This really isn't a "serious" MRI. I wish mine looked like this. LOL I'm not minimizing your pain, believe me. I know you're hurting, but no surgeon would operate on you at this time.

If you do find a report, go ahead and post it, ok? Hugs, Lee

pain levels are about 5 or 6 all the time..i try not to take ibuprofen unless i need it.if i happen to be out somewhere.just started the neurontin and flexeril.dr is hoping the neurontin will allow me to cut back on the ibuprofen, because it would ruin my kidneys...it helps some not much..i have learned to deal with the pain.i take something if i get to hurting really bad..thanks for the info on the ibuprofen..will keep an eye out.

Why not ask the doc to UP your Neurontin? That dosage wouldn't work for anyone. When did you start taking it? if it was just this week or so, maybe he's just starting you slowly, and going to work up. I don't know. But 100mg isn't enough to be effective.

Let me know when you started it, okay? Hugs, Lee

I actually just started it a few days ago..like you said maybe shes starting low..i go back in 3 months..

Good grief -- You have to stay on this for 3 months? That's a bit long to wait for an increase.

I'm sorry you have to wait so long. If the pain becomes too much for you, I'd call the doctor and TELL him. Don't SUFFER -- there's no need for it! If it gets too bad, let the doctor KNOW, okay??? He's working for YOU, not the opposite. LOL

I hope you'll be okay -- let us know, okay? Hugs, Lee