[walterinpain]

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

[Dubious]

Originally Posted by walterinpain

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.

[walterinpain]

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.

[IllPn]

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.

[Dubious]

Originally Posted by IllPn

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)...

[walterinpain]

Originally Posted by IllPn

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.

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

[Dubious]

Originally Posted by walterinpain

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???

[Dr. Smith]

There are degrees of suffering, and some people do not use words lightly. Because he is suffering now does not mean he wasn't in pain prior to seeking help. I infer his meaning to be that he is in substantially more pain now than before.

Doc

[Dubious]

Originally Posted by Dr. Smith

There are degrees of suffering, and some people do not use words lightly. Because he is suffering now does not mean he wasn't in pain prior to seeking help. I infer his meaning to be that he is in substantially more pain now than before.

Doc

I absolutely concur. IllPn has suffered from increased pain due to physical therapy intervention prior to chiropractic treatment and is also on statins which in recent studies shows an increased odds-ratio for muscle, nerve and joint pain compared to those who are not taking them. My heart goes out to IllPn as his/her case is truly a complicated and very perplexing one for which there are seemingly numerous causes, comorbidities, complicating factors and endless avenues of aggravations. IllPn, I sincerely wish you the best in your journey for a speedy recovery!

[IllPn]

thank you for your kind words

initially I went to this office to try and get my back in better shape. Deep Tissue and PT at the chiro office then I went to see a different PT who I thought might give me suggestions to keep me out of back spasm I have a slipped veterbrae and more low back he did a lot of pushing on my neck that gave me pain because I had been dealing with it a few wks and talked to this chiro I trusted him and should have not as have had problems before with chiro yrs ago He did deep tissue and used an adjustment on me-- I did not want and stretched me. The burning pain won't go out of my arms now. I fear he started neuropathy there. I have had feeling of vibrations there before but never the burning. So that is where I am at. I tried 100 mg of neurotin last night and was in bed most of the day. I just can't take these drugs and not feel so sedated. It is very distressing knowing the PN can get worse drugs and I just don't do well... I wanted Tramadol which some seem to use but the dr would not give me any... at least I can still function but be very sleepy guess I need to find a dr will help...