Hi, I would appreciate a some advice regarding my diagnosis or lack of. I have been referred to a neurologist following intense headaches (tension, icepick, migraine), an episode of hemiplegic migraine, numbness in right hand and leg and shooting pain in various regions such as back, abdomen.

I had am MRI scan and the findings are:

Brain scan - normal

Spine scan:broad based osteophyte complex at C5/6 with narrowing of right exiting foramen and mild impingement of C6 nerve root. At C6/7 broad based osteophyte complex indenting the thecal sac with encroachment into exiting foramen. Although there may be impingement of C7 nerve roots no significant compression is seen. Possible mild impingement of right C6 and both C7 nerve roots.

At T5/6 focal right centro-lateral disc protrusion which is impinging on the central chord with some flattening of the sagittal T2. No axial sections available. No exiting nerve root compromise. At T6/7 focal right centro-lateral disc protrusion with flattening of the sagittal T2. No axial sections available.no other areas scanned.

The letter from the neurologist states that as brain scan is normal and there is no evidence to support a neurological cause for my symptoms. The spinal findings are incidental findings and need not to be acted upon .

Recommends Amithriptylin.

I really feel like this can't be right especially since most damage to might spine is on the right side, same as the numbness. I am considering challenging the neurologist and going for a second opinion however I would like to ask for an opinion here before starting a long and unpleasant for all complaint procedure.I would really appreciate some advice

Thank you,

If you have the report, or even better the images on a CD, I would get an independent second opinion.
I don't know that you have to challenge the first dr, I would think second opinions would be preferred by the ins companies..

But if the first opinion is no PT or only an antidepressant, I'd be tempted to drop that dr..

You may want to find a neurosurgeon for the next opinion since you do have the broad based osteophyte complex at C5/6 with narrowing of right exiting foramen and mild impingement of C6 nerve root. As well as at the 6/7.

You could even seek out an expert chiropractor to look at your report and do an evaluation only. There are also advanced PTs that can do this, or a specialized spinal PT.
I suppose there might be special names for those but I'm not sure what they are..

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jo*mar If you have the report, or even better the images on a CD, I would get an independent second opinion. I don't know that you have to challenge the first dr, I would think second opinions would be preferred by the ins companies.. But if the first opinion is no PT or only an antidepressant, I'd be tempted to drop that dr.. You may want to find a neurosurgeon for the next opinion since you do have the broad based osteophyte complex at C5/6 with narrowing of right exiting foramen and mild impingement of C6 nerve root. As well as at the 6/7. You could even seek out an expert chiropractor to look at your report and do an evaluation only. There are also advanced PTs that can do this, or a specialized spinal PT. I suppose there might be special names for those but I'm not sure what they are..

Thanks for your reply, I have contacted the department and the secretary was very kind to speak to another neurologist on my behalf. He has agreed to see me and he seemed very concerned about a possible complaint. Unfortunately it will mean two months wait for me which seems like forever when I have constant headaches.

The headaches could be from trigger points, that is something you can try for yourself..
http://www.pressurepointer.com/pain_reference_chart.htm
http://www.pressurepointer.com/Users1.htm

there are videos on youtube and much more info to be found , if you find any trigger points. but it is something you can do or have a friend try it if you can't reach. a tennis ball against the wall or on the floor works fairly well..