Could someone chime in here and give me some kind of educated guess on what might be happening to me? I have steadily gone down hill since 2009 after a car back ended me. It first started with hypothyroid, then stomach issues, then the car accident caused problems with my cervical spine.

Now, I'm having all kinds of health issues and don't know what to think about it all. I take many medicines and quite frankly, I'm tired of them. These are some of the conditions.

Degenerative Joint Disease: 1998 ~OA

Herniated discs in neck, Mild Spina Bifida Occulta @T7, Cervical Spondylosis: 2009
Dr. : Lumbar Impairment 3%, Cervical Impairment 11%, Whole Body 14%
Dr. : PPI 7%

TMJ: August 2012

Alkaline Phosphatase high: January 2012 ~ Told something with bones.

Cervical Spondylosis confirmed again: December 18, 2012

Bursitis both shoulders: January 2013

Rheumatoid Disease/Myofascial & Lumbar Pain Syndrome/facet disease: May 2013

Cervicalgia, etc.

I receive mostly pain meds and Injections to the sacroiliac joints
Trigger point injections but only so many a year.

Now, I've begun having numbness in both arms, down to the ring and pinky finger when I sleep. Some numbness in one spot on my right let at the heel.

This is my MRI results:

CONTRAST~~COMPARISON:
None.~~INDICATIONS: Brachial neuritis.

~~TECHNICAL FACTORS:~ Multiplanar
multisequence imaging of the cervical spine
acquired ~without contrast as per protocol.

~~FINDINGS: There is straightening and slight
reversal of the natural ~lordosis with the apex
centered around the C5-6 level.
No evidence of bone ~marrow edema is identified.
There is loss of disc signal intensity ~throughout the cervical
spine and loss of disc height at C5-6 and C6-7.

~~ No significant disc contour-deforming
abnormalities are identified ~from C2-3 through
C4-5.
Very minimal uncovertebral hypertrophy is
seen at ~C4-5, but the neural foramina appear
patent bilaterally.~~

At C5-6, diffuse disc osteophyte complex with uncovertebral
~hypertrophy effaces the ventral CSF space and
results in at least mild ~narrowing of the neural foramina bilaterally.
At this time, ample CSF ~surrounds the cord. ~~

At C6-7, left paracentral disc osteophyte complex with
uncovertebral ~hypertrophy effaces the left
aspect of the thecal sac and results in ~slight
narrowing of the ipsilateral neural foramen.
The right neural ~foramen appears widely patent.
~~ No significant disc contour-deforming
abnormality is identified at ~C7-T1. ~~ The
cervical cord appears normal in caliber with no
abnormal cord ~signal changes.~~

IMPRESSION:
Disc degenerative changes in the lower cervical
region, ~most prominent at ~ C5-6 as
detailed above.

I had a emg done and one of the muscles in my left arm was what the doctor called a "dive bomber" signal.

What I'm trying to find out is first is that MRI abnormal? Second, can this be causing all my health issues? I have other issues but these are the ones related to my bones. I'm so tired of the doctor visits, PT, needle pokes etc., after all these years, that I'm wondering if this progresses or might I find some peace at some point? I am considering just stopping appointments because every time I go there's something else wrong and I'm becoming a doubting thomas. If it's going to progress then I think I'd rather just stop going to my appts and stay at home. It is now where I'm mostly home bound anyway due to stiffness and pain. Thank you in advance and I hope I'm not breaking any rules. Dixie

I wonder what a "dive bomber" signal. means..? never heard of that one..

I don't see anything major on the MRI report, but whiplash and the other Dxs you list can cause quite a bit of pain. Most of it is usually soft tissue caused pain.

[Bursitis both shoulders: January 2013
Rheumatoid Disease/Myofascial & Lumbar Pain Syndrome/facet disease: May 2013]

If the arm numbness is recent could it be any form of repetitive strain injury?
Sometimes after whiplash it can take a year for internal scarring /misalignments to show up as pain and symptoms..

I don't know how you feel about expert chiropractic or if you have read anything about upper cervical adjusting/NUCCA etc?
some info -
http://www.upcspine.com/default.asp
http://www.upcspine.com/self.htm
http://www.nucca.org/

and perhaps acupuncture might be helpful for over all health..

I'm with Jo, don't see anything terribly unusual in your MRI report, at least from a surgical standpoint…

Have you been given a diagnosis (dx)? Could you tell us a little bit more about your symptoms (sx)? For example, are you just experiencing numbness in your arms and pinkie and ring fingers, or numbness AND tingling? These may be nerve pain sx coming from either your cervical spine at the C-5/C-6 level, OR from your brachial plexus, a few inches down. If it's the latter, you may want to look into Thoracic Outlet Syndrome ("TOS") as a possible dx; similar to the "brachial neuritis" noted in the report.

There is a TOS forum on NeuroTalk, just below this one. Check out the sticky threads at the top, there is a wealth of information captured in them which may be helpful to you even if you don't have TOS. Lots of great ideas in there for dealing with myofascial and nerve pain issues…

How do you like your PT? May be a good person to talk to about your more troubling sx, what's causing them and where you might find the best treatment (tx) at this point (what type of specialist or modality, etc.). You may also need to recruit a good pain management physician and a neurologist to be part of your tx team, if you haven't already.

I think you'll find that by becoming your own best advocate, things will start to look a lot better to you. Knowledge is power! We are here to support you should you have any questions or concerns. Keep posting to let us know how you are doing, OK?

Alison

Thank you for the quick reply! I was having a brain fart when I put dive bomber signal. I don't think it's called signal at all. But here is what I'm talking about.

Hmmm can't link it due to not having more than 10 posts. But on YouTube if you google "Dive Bomber EMG" a video will come up.
*

It just didn't sound like the others and the doctor had a really strange face when it started. He did it twice. The numbness is recent. I use to have numbness five years ago after the car wreck, but it when away. It's back now. I also had the adjustments at the chiropractor after that wreck. I went to him for 52 weeks and also had massage releases. That felt so good!

However, as mentioned the numbness is recent. I'm having major pains when I turn my head, look up, etc. I've tried changing sleeping positions, various pillows, sleeping on my back only and nothing has changed it. Might I add I only noticed the numbness in my arms at night. Just the bottom of both arms and numbness of the ring and pinky fingers. So strange.

But it's been five years now and my health has declined rapidly and well if it's going to be like this on out, I'm thinking I'd rather suffer without all the other stuff that has to be done. Every time I go to the doctor it's something else and well would kinda just like to be left alone if all these procedures aren't really going to fix anything.

Thank you again for your reply. I appreciate you reading my MRI results and letting me know it wasn't bad. Have a good night.

Hi Alison, thanks for your response. Glad to see the two of you agree on the MRI results. No, no diagnosis and that's bothersome. I just always say to myself...it must be the RA. I also have various doctors for various parts. For instance, one only does neck, then one for shoulders, and one for knees...etc. I'm like a ping pong ball with doctors which may in itself be an issue. Not sure really, they all read off the same charts.

I will take a look at the Thoracic Outlet Syndrome thread and thank you for that information. Per my last response (which I don't see here, perhaps will turn up later) I have been to PT, hate it, do it at home now. I have to do it or else I can't turn my neck. They just tell me it's very important to keep at it. Remember it's been five years that health issues keep coming. Like I'm falling apart at 50 well 45 when it all started. I feel extremely old.

Pain and numbness is usually only at night. It is the back of both arms, and gets numb all the way down in both ring fingers and pinky's. It's recent but has been happening some months now because I was wondering why I couldn't hold onto items. I work with computers and this is when I first noticed it. I couldn't hold onto the little bitty screws while taking the computer's apart. I guess because there was no numbness at that time, I really didn't pay attention to what was happening and thinking it was the RA in my hands.

I'm in between doctors now for the RA/OA, but I do have a pain management doctor he is in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. I think I may need to ask for a neurologist? I saw a neurosurgeon long ago to get a second opinion, however, I have not been in the last few years.

Thanks again for the support, explanations, and I will follow up.

[wondering why I couldn't hold onto items. I work with computers and this is when I first noticed it. I couldn't hold onto the little bitty screws while taking the computer's apart. I guess because there was no numbness at that time,]

This is often a RSI/TOS issue - loss of fine finger use..
I could not pick up small parts at my work, that started many years of neck, shoulders, hands and arms problems eventually = TOS
Luckily therapy & chiropractic and a lot of self care slowed/halted my symptoms.
now I mainly have myofascial discomfort- more so in the winter months...

Mix the whiplash and the work activities, could be very much a TOS like issue.
TOS is not a well known condition, and often biased ideas about it, so finding a PT or MD that really knows about it is important esp when you have other conditions..

Thank you, Jo*mar. I appreciate both of your replies and time. Have a good evening.

As Jo said, there is a lot of controversy in medicine about TOS, so it's important to make sure any doc you bring on board (esp. a new neurologist) txs this disorder. (Some even deny its existence, believe it or not!) Ask your pain management doc about TOS as well; s/he may want to have you consult with a vascular surgeon to confirm TOS as a dx (doesn't mean you have to have surgery, by the way!).

Some of your sxs do sound like TOS, DixieDarling, and getting you on the right kind of tx plan could make all the difference for you. Unfortunately, there is no "gold standard" test to determine whether this is the correct dx, but there are several provocative maneuvers a knowledgeable physician can put you through clinically which can be telling (putting your arms in certain positions to see if you lose your radial pulse, for example), as well as something called a "scalene block" which, if it provides relief from your pain, is a positive sign of TOS as well.

Don't want to overwhelm you right now (or ever!), maybe just do some reading on the TOS forum for now and see if anything resonates with you. If you'd like to talk sometime, send me a PM and I'd be happy to give you my phone number. I have been right where you are!

Hi, Allison Thanks. I did go today for pain medicine refills and the pain management doctor told me to see a surgeon on referral. Well this threw me for a loop…wasn’t expecting that at all.

Looking at my records for his notes, he has the following: moderate-severe left median neuropathy, subacute bilateral ulnar neuritis, chronic pain syndrome. Referral to Dr. XXXXX for definitive left median neuropathy (affecting pronator teres and APB), and ulnar neuropathic ssx bilaterally.

I have zero clues as to what all that means. If you know, I’d appreciate a layman’s explanation until I can Google my head off later. What I thinking right now is that I believe I should ask if I could see a neurologists before any surgery stuff. My pain management doctor said he believe that if I had surgery on my wrist and elbow, that I’d do better and not have the nerve damage. It’s not that I don’t trust him, it’s just he’s new in practice. I've had other surgeries so not looking forward to any as I'm sure you can all agree.

If this helps here are my other crap ton of health issues besides the latest ones.

Cervical radiculitis
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Spondylosis
Hypertension
Cubital tunnel syndrome
Somatic dysfunction of spine, thoracic
Hyperlipidemia
Varicose veins
Sacroiliac joint pain
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)
Impaired fasting glucose
Esophageal reflux
Disorder of kidney and ureter
Cramp of limb
Cervical facet joint syndrome
Backache
Seborrheic Dermatitis
Allergic Reaction
Hypokalemia
Gastritis
Type 2 diabetes mellitus without complications
Hypothyroidism
Allergic rhinitis
Uncomplicated asthma
Lumbar facet joint pain
Fibromyalgia
Elevated alkaline phosphatase level
Depressive disorder
Cervicalgia
Edema

I will take you up on the number! Just can't right now...will get with you later on that. Thanks for the offer. Dixie

Another thing , since you mention possible surgery on wrist and elbow...
there is a thing called double and/or triple crush...
Basically it is TOS plus impingement at those other places too.

Don't agree to wrist or elbow surgery until you see a TOS specialist, in the past quite a few had ulnar and/or carpal tunnel surg then discovered they still had sx because it was TOS not carpal or ulnar..

All the nerves , as well as the blood flow, to arm & elbow have to run thought the brachial plexus area, so any compression, from bone, scar tissue, ligaments, muscles, and even poor hunched forward postures, can really cause many symptoms..

Did you find our Thoracic outlet forum and the sticky threads there?
You can post there if you want to get more information from the TOS forum members. Most tend to stay in their main forum topic and don't explore around.

I had many rsi related dxs at first because my sx kept moving around, and my GP wasn't familiar with TOS , I wasn't either at first ...but I found the forums and it all clicked for me then..