Does this sound familiar to anyone? I have been on Gabapentin and Tramadol for several months now. Had gone thru almost 6 months of Epidural Injections and still having pains Dr recommended Spinal Cord Stimulator but Health Insurance got canceled before I get to the appointment.

PROCEDURE:
MRI OF THE CERVICAL SPINE WITHOUT CONTRAST
KNI - SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN IMAGING, MR, MRI SPINE CERVICAL WO
CONTRAST, 1 1 10812012, 19 :l 4.
Neck pain radiating to the right upper extremity.
A variety of imaging planes and parameters was utilized for visualization of the cervical
spine.
None.
FINDINGS: Motion artifacts are present.
CRANIOCERVICAL AREA: Normal.
PARASPINAL TISSUES: Normal.
CERVICAL CORD:
BONES:
Normal in size. No evidence of a syrinx or cord mass.
Mild anterolisthesis from C4-5 through C7-Tl. No bone mzurow edema, fracture,
or mass.
CERVICAL DISC LEVELS:
C2-C3: Degenerative change of the facets and uncinate hypertrophy resulting in moderate left foraminal
stenosis.
C3-C4: Broad-based disc osteophyte complex and uncinate hypertrophy resulting in mild spinal stenosis and
severe bilateral foraminal stenosis likely impinging on the exiting C4 nerves.
C4-C5: Broad-based disc osteophyte complex, uncinate hypertrophy, and facet degeneration resulting in mild
spinal stenosis and severe bilateral foraminal stenosis likely impinging on the exiting C5 nerves.
C5-C6: Broad-based disc osteophyte complex, uncinate hypertrophy, and facet degeneration resulting in mild
spinal stenosis, severe right foraminal stenosis, and mild-to-moderate left foraminal stenosis. Likely
impinging on the right C6 nerve.
C6-C7: Broad-based disc osteophyte complex and uncinate hypertrophy resulting in moderate right foraminal
stenosis. Mild spinal stenosis.
C7-Tl:. Moderate right foraminal stenosis.
CONCLUSION:
l. Exam is suboptimal secondary to motion artifacts. Mild spinal stenosis from C3-4 through C6-7. No cervical
cord compression, syrinx, or mass.
2. Multilevel foraminal stenosis likely impinging on the bilateral C4 nerves, bilateral C5 nerves, and right C6

Your subjective complaints of right-sided symptomatology seem to be consistent with your MRI findings. Due to motion artifact, talk to your doc and discuss whether repeat MRI is necessary and if whether surgical intervention now makes sense or not.

Well I have discussed it with a surgeon and they recommended Spinal Cord Stimulator for treatment and stated i was not a candidate for surgery. I was very confused, but when I was about to go to see the Dr for the stimulator. My health insurance got canceled. SO i was stuck and I am still stuck and looking to the state for some help. I keep thinking to myself I am only 42 and this happening. had 3 emotional breakdowns already from it. I gained alot of weight. I went from 220 to 325 lbs. from taking medications and everything. also nearly almost broke my neck when i got out from bathing and slipped and fell and that is when another emotional breakdown. I couldn't get up off the floor everything hurt so bad. Call me a big sissy but real men do dry. and my wife god bless her she has been very supportive. And this my friend i think is only the beginning. I even have trouble typing because it causes pain to run from neck to my hand. hope this explains some of the issues I am having.

I have all this degeneration in my back and neck so always dealing with pain. Right now I am having emotional break-downs as let a chiropractor touch my neck which I did once before and ended up in agony and here I am again. If you can take a methypredisone pack, it may help. Therapy usually helps Also use heat and ice. My pain is burning pain which I did not have with the last few bouts of pain down my arms. I don't have severe stenosis but it probably is on its way since I have moderate areas of stenosis. I sure wish I knew why life has to be so rough for some of as we age. I had no clue till hit my 50's that my lower back is in such a mess. Now I am dealing with other painful issues on top of the neck. Try and stay healthy. I know it is hard as right now I am pretty much unmotivated to do anything. Depression sure can take hold. Hope in time some of the pain eases up. I know how hard it can be.

Wow, sorry to hear. I am surprised as I always felt better after my chiropractor adjusted me. I have experienced the usual muscle soreness intermittently after an adjustment and on very rare occasion, a very temporary increase in pain but on balance, I have always felt very comfortable letting my chiropractor work on my neck and back, even after my C5-6 fusion and failed shoulder surgery when a surgeon caused permanent nerve damage to my shoulder, forcing disability! At least a chiropractor didn't ruin my life for me (but the surgeon did)...

yup i did that yesterday it was a total bad idea. Now I am suffering in pain.

So...you were not suffering in pain...that is why you went to the chiropractor....and then you went and you were? I don't get it? Why would you go for treatment if you didn't have a problem? If I went for a root canal when I didn't have tooth problems and wound up with an infection, that would be the dentist's fault???

My spine is the opposite; degeneration/pain began in the neck (and headaches) in my mid-40s, and the lumbar problems began a few years later. I'm not sure I could have done anything differently; I didn't abuse my back/body to have this happen, and there is no known family history. 'Tis a puzzlement, but it's what I have to deal with, so we try to make the best of things.

I'm extremely motivated, but unable to do, which leads to anger & frustration, which turn into depression. Somehow I've been able to fight/fend off/ignore the depression, though the anger and frustration remain. Awareness of the Kübler-Ross model applied to chronic illness and the Vicious Cycle of chronic pain and what-have-you have helped me considerably. I've learned how to channel the anger in positive ways; the frustration however endures and seethes...

Doc

Welcome to Neuro Talk. Yes this does sound like what many of us have had to go through. You found a good site for information. I am in no way a professional. Over the last years I have learned a bit on the general language to tip a person off on just what is going on. When an issue says mild, or moderate, that is usually not an issue for surgery. However anything that says severe, and "nerve impingement" on the exiting C4-5 nerves, That is an issue. No matter what your neurologist wants to do, make sure you get another opinion. This really is important, to have two fields of medicine on the same page for your options. All conservative treatment should be tried first. Surgery is always a last resort.
I have had two cervical fusions, currently at C3-7. None of the spinal issues are fun to go through. I came here for the same reason as you. The folks here got me through my last surgery with a better attitude. Will be here to listen any time. I wish you all the best in what ever you chose to do. Hope your doctors treat you well. ginnie