Seems like your insurance company's policy is madness as prescribing physical therapy without any clue as to what is going on with the spine is a recipe for disaster...

Hanshan, I have to say that I agree with you. I feel a lot more confident now that I have had my MRI and have a good idea of what is going on. My visit with the spinal surgeon was encouraging and I will be getting an EMG check on my legs in 4 days. I finally feel that I have an idea on how to work through this. My Physical Therapist helped me, but he wasn't to thrilled about working on me without having a good idea of what my problem really was. I am still working, doing exercises, and riding my recumbent exercise bike to keep my leg strength and flexibility. I do feel that some of the exercises at PT were too aggressive and actually increased my numbness.

I have a copy of my Mri report
L3-L4 Severe proximal neural foraminal compromise especially on the left.
L4-L5: Broad posterior disc extrusion creates mild to moderate central stenosis. Severe proximal neural foraminal compromise is noted bilaterally especially on the right.
L5-S1: Broad protrusion without stenosis centrally. Severe proximal neural foraminal narrowing is present due to facet arthopathy.

Severe spondylitic changes of the lumbar spine are noted with significant neural foraminal compromise at several levels. This is most pronounced at the L3-L4 where there is a broad left foraminal extrusion which extends superior leak into the left neural foramen with impingement of the exiting left L3 nerve. Centrally spinal stenosis is most pronounced at the L4-L5 where there is a broad extrusion creating mild to moderate stenosis. Severe neural foraminal narrowing bilaterally is present at this level.

I had an epidural injection today and will be having a return appointment with my spinal surgeon 1 week from now. I want surgery to be a last resort.

I am carrying on with the exercises that I did in Physical Therapy, riding my exercise bike daily, and trying to lose 15-20 lbs.

Can anyone fill me in on my MRI before I go to the Dr.? Thanks

On December 19, I was giving serious consideration to having back surgery. I wanted surgery as a last resort. It was hard for me to work, in fact my mind usually focused on just making it through the day. I had not had a good experience with a chiropractor a year and half ago. But a friend recommended a chiropractor to me so I thought that I would try him as a last resort. Since Jan. 11, I have had 9 visits and I can honestly say that each week I have seen significant improvement. I took my MRI and X-Rays to him on the 1st visit. He put the X-Ray up and explained exactly what he saw and how he planned to work on it. I am finally able to stand stationary and have some flexibility and balance. I had bought airline tickets in early Jan. to go on a vacation the latter part of March. At that time I was just hoping that I would be able to go and enjoy myself (I now look forward to it). I am also pleased with my ability to work.I have lost 10 lbs. and want to drop another 10. I do a lot of gentle stretching exercises. I still do not attempt to lift much weight.I know that I still have a long way to go, but it feels good to make progress.

I thought I was coming along pretty well. I took my vacation in March and had a great time. I tried to take long walks each day, but I could feel myself tightening up the last two days. I returned home and tried to go to work and went through the worst week of back pain (severe muscle spasms) that I have ever gone through. I finally got over them with the aid of muscle relaxant, ibuprofen, and ice. Also, I had my 2nd epidural (1st last Nov.) and continued to see the chiropractor. I had an appointment with my Dr. and decided to seek a 2nd opinion, this time with a neurosurgeon. I had my 1st visit 2 weeks ago, they looked at my previous MRI and had me go through some walking exercises. My balance was awful due to the numbness and stiffness in my lower legs and feet. They weren't convinced my problem was in my lower back. Tomorrow I will have an MRI on my cervical spine and lower spine again. I recall getting this advice from someone earlier (thinkitdoit7). I have been over my back pain for nearly 3 weeks now. 2 weeks ago during my visit with the neurosurgeon, I was placed on 300mg x 3 times/day of Gabapentin. I can't believe how much difference that has made! Hopefully, I'm going to get to the bottom of my problem. I'm so glad that I got this 2nd opinion and did not listen to some of my friends telling me to get my surgery done. I still may have to have surgery. I know that after it is done, it cannot be undone.