Hello all, hope you all are having a pain free day ( or as good as possible ), it's been so long since I had one I can't hardly remember, but I'm still working and still pushing,thank God. Still waiting for an acceptance date from the university hospital, no answer yet. I'm not used to being on this side of the fence, but it definately giives me an appreciation of how I conduct my business and try my best to keep my customers equipment running and meeting their needs as quickly as possible. I have a new question, hopefully someone may be able to answer, in reading a post from Marcie 1961 regarding symptoms at the C5-C6. My MRI stated that I had degenerative changes at C5-C6 and C6-C7 levels. I started losing considerable strength in my right arm and hand about six years ago, as well as frequent numbness in my right hand, as well as frequent neck aches, I even dropped my coffee cup a few times. IT was a big consideration when I changed carrers. I wrote it off as carpal tunnel and moved on, but now I am wondering if this may have been the start of my current problems, although most of my pain and MRI findings are in the thoracic region right now, although my hand and arm still frequently go numb.
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.;)
Steve

ONe of my co-workers had a problem with her right hand, her docs first thought it was carpal tunnel, but it kept progressing no matter what she did. Then they thought it was diabetic neuropathy (she does have diabetes). She went on a long time w/o knowing, but yet getting worse the whole time. She couldnt hold anything anymore either, couldnt open anything, couldnt type w/ that hand, etc. But then she started having problems walking, which got slowly worse. So finally one of her docs referred her to a neurologist, who did all sorts of tests and MRI....and it was found she had a huge herniation in her neck that was pressing into her spinal cord & causing cervical myelopathy. She did not really have too much pain, though. So she had a one level fusion done but I cannot remember at which cervical level the problem was. Unfortunately I cant ask b/c my employer went out of business so I no longer see her. If you've never had a cervical MRI, then it would probably be a good idea to get one b/c just maybe your hand problems are related to the spine.

I had 2 spinal LUMBAR fusions; last one was 4 month ago.
I developed severe pain in my arms and hands, both of them, but right side is worse.
My hands are very weak too, very painful, especially right hand the pinky and next finger is killing me.
I had MRI done a week ago. Shows C-6 T-1 hernitations, shows bone spurs, bulges, DDD, some stenosis but Neurologist does not believe that this all can cause severe symptoms I experience. My PK don't even touch the pain in my arms and hands. Neck pain is not severe though, bearable.
I am confused as well, scary when you can't hold a cup in your hands or typing becomes a problem...

I wish you good luck! Hopefully you will find some answers!

Thank you both for your responses, every bit of information is appreciated. I'm just trying to tie things in together so I don't have to go to doctor after doctor after doctor, after all, they all seem to have a different opinion as to what the problem is. I can deal with the hand and arm pain and numbness, as I have for years, it was just a little tough to change careers after twenty years, and now to think that I may have to do it again. I just hope that there is a light at the end of this tunnel and it comes soon. I'm sure that my GP is tired of my phone calls, since the specialist referred me to a university hospital, but I still need his referral for my insurance, and they have not contacted us yet. It's just one great big waiting game, and I am stuck in the middle.
Take Care,
Steve