[Linda100]

This will be a long one. First My name is Linda and I am from Florida. anything for Pain. I have been through heck with my
Lumbar and I still have a bunch og damage there, but now Neck is killing me!
I have tried to ignore it for a few years but just to type this is killing my arms and hands. I just got my MRI Report and Have not seen the Pain Doctor yet.
So here goes I will type it all out, (I Hope !)

Findings:
The Alignment is Slightly Abnormal Now with a grade1 Retrolisthesis at C4-5. This is a new finding. Dorsal annular fissure and hypertense on this clearly demonstrated within the C3-4 disc which is a new finding as well and potentialy could be a source of discogenic pain. Minimal dorsal hypertense zones are seen within C4-5 through C6-7 levels as well. Disc space narrowing is found at C6-7 definitely and also to some degree C5-6. There are no discrete vertebral or cord lesions otherwise though there are some degenerative endplate changes which are now new at C5-6 and C6-7 all indicative of progressive degenrative disc disease.

At C3-4, there is a posterior central Protruding disc herniation which again abuts the cord. The cord is not significantly deformed but slightly flattened as seen before as well. The mid canal sagittal diameter is about 9 mm with very mild spinal stenosis change.

At C4-5, posterior central disc herniation again indents the cord slightly. Spinal stenosis changes with the mid canal sagittal diameter of 7-8 mm again is demonstrated and this is a stable finding.

C5-6 again shows bilateral uncovertebral joint spurring with some degerative bulging causing cord flattening. The mid canal sagital diameter at this level is about 10 mm with borderline to mild stenosis present.

C6-7 there are new findings. Prominent left sided spurring from the uncovertebral joint now causes compression of the left C7 root which is a new finging. There is probably some mild cord compression as well and the mid canal sagittal diameter is about 11 mm though without overt mid canal sagittal stenosis.

Impression:
Overall, Progressive disc disease changes are found with persistent stenosis, a fairly mild degree at C3-4, C4-5, and C5-6. however, there is markedly progresive left bony forminal stenosis at C6-7.

Wow! that was a lot for someone who has to type with a couple of fingers!!

What does all of this mean? and will I need surgery?
and will I cause more Damage if I ignore all of this and try to go as long as I can with out Surgery.
I am having so much pain now down my left arm the most but down both as well and the burning across my shoulders.
for about a year now I thought I was going to need surgery on my right shoulder but now I think it is from my neck. as the days it does not hurt, it feels completely fine but then the next thing I know it is killing me.
my trisept and elbow gets muscle spasums all the time on my left arm and my ring finger and the middle finger get shooting pains as well as numbness.
Okay this is what I have now help me understand all of this please..
Linda

[Kitty]

Hi Linda! Welcome to NeuroTalk

I'm so sorry for the pain you're experiencing. Looks like you found the right forum to post in - although you're welcome anytime at any of the others.

Let us know if you have any questions - take care!

[Linda100]

Thank you.
I think I will like it here. I meant to say here in Florida the Doctors try to give no pain meds..the state is so stirct on them so the doctors tend to Under medicate. I hope I am able to get by a while before I need some surgery. but I do not want any perm Damage from waiting. I hope some one can help me with what this MRI means???

Linda




I'm so sorry for the pain you're experiencing. Looks like you found the right forum to post in - although you're welcome anytime at any of the others.

Let us know if you have any questions - take care! [/QUOTE]

[Kitty]

Have you made an appointment with your doctor yet so that he/she can read the MRI? I'd do that first - and see what he says and if he will prescribe something to get you past the pain until something can be done.

I have MS - so I don't visit this forum much. Hopefully someone will come along tonight and be able to offer you some help with this. There are a lot of very caring and knowledgeable people on this board - but please refer to your doctor for your final instructions.

Take care!

[Linda100]

I do have one for the 29th of this month.
But my PM doctor is anti any surgeries so I just wanted to get any input to find out if I need to make an appt with a neuro also..
My PM loves to give the injections as I was getting them about once a month all year last year.
Thanks for the welcome and help.
Linda

Originally Posted by herekitty1960

Have you made an appointment with your doctor yet so that he/she can read the MRI? I'd do that first - and see what he says and if he will prescribe something to get you past the pain until something can be done.

I have MS - so I don't visit this forum much. Hopefully someone will come along tonight and be able to offer you some help with this. There are a lot of very caring and knowledgeable people on this board - but please refer to your doctor for your final instructions.

Take care!

[Koala77]

Linda, my heart goes out to you for the pain you must have been through. I'm another who's visiting from a different forum so I'm unable to offer you anything but support right now.

You will however, get to meet some wonderful people in this forum, and I hope that some-one will come along soon to help you understand the things that are worrying you the most.

In the meantime, welcome to NeuroTalk from me Linda. I hope to see you in some of the other forums later.

[tovaxin_lab_rat]

Welcome Linda. I hope your appt on the 29th gets you some answers. Pain is no fun to deal with at all. I have MS and deal with it daily, but probably nothing like you have...

Take care and hope to see you around! Let us know if you need any help.

[Linda100]

Thank you for the welcome.
I will be reading some other forums after I can read as much as I can find in this one, there is so much to go through..

I do handle pain well as I have delt with my Lumbar for years and have built up my handling of the pain, but some times I just plain get tired of it..
I have been getting so weak im my left arm and shouler is why I am so scared
my right side as well but not as weak as my left side..
And I forgot to tell of my Headaches I have so many of them...

[Koala77]

Originally Posted by Linda100

....I will be reading some other forums after I can read as much as I can find in this one, there is so much to go through..

It's probably worth mentioning here Linda that there's a search option at the top of the page. I didn't think to point that out before.

And I forgot to tell of my Headaches I have so many of them...

You may like to also check out the Headache Forum Linda, plus we also have one for chronic pain. Here are the links to both :

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum10.html

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum32.html

[Linda100]

Will do, Thanks so much for all of the help.
so far this forum is a great place to read the good and bad and the ugly on
just about everthing;0)
thanks again.