Left paracentral disc herniation at the t7-t8 level with mild flattening of the left aspect of the spinal cord. Small hemangioma within t7 vertebral body and degenerative changes. My cervical spine has bulges in all of them except last one and is reversed. And mild left sided foramina narrowing c2-c3 and c3-c4. Thoughts?
Is there any additional information about the cervical area and the cervical bulges? If not, one would assume that your pain and "issues" can be treated conservatively by a course of physical therapy, oral medications and perhaps a series of epidural injections.
You might want to consult with an orthopedic spine surgeon to see if there is more here than meets the eye.
Good thanks. Just disc desiccation seen thru out and uncovertabral joint hypertrophy. Lots of bone spurs thru out. Started gabapentin and amytriptilyne Will be starting physical therapy soon.
Thanks for your reply. Much appreciated. How long you think til pain goes away?
Holding off on ortho doc unless pain doesn't stop I have osteonecrosis and been thru radiation am trying conservative measures. But if it doesn't work will definitely go see one. Thanks again.
Everything you mention in the newer post are the usual signs that there is arthritis affecting the area. This can be painful, particularly when the joints enlarge and take up space that is needed by the nerves to function freely.
I cannot really say how effective the treatment will be for you. All you can do is go through it and hope for the best. Are you seeing an interventional pain management doctor?
I see my pcp weekly for a sanity,med,moral support appts my stomach is extremely sensitive from chemo so meds are hard. Like the new meds the GABA makes me speedy and the amytrip didn't knock me out I was up half the night. Lol. Then I slept till 9. Which is bad cause I wake up at 5 am. Is there a chance I hate to ask cause I don't want it ,but is there a chance they're doing the wait and see approach and then if it doesn't work we will operate. And the operation will solve everything?? When my hip broke and same thing with my ankle that's what I went thru then finally had hip replaced and was up to regular life in weeks. Again thankyou I do appreciate all your help. Thanks
I don't know the extent of the disc bulges in the cervical area. If they are not pressing on the spinal cord, or severely bulging, I doubt they would be ready to operate. They wouldn't want to fuse your whole cervical spine...so it would be a matter of which are causing the most problems.
Hopefully conservative methods will resolve your pain and you won't need anything further.
My problems are lumbar, but I had a MRI of my cervical spine on two different occasions. I have two discs that have almost fused together naturally, and several other bulges, but nothing is causing me problems. If I hadn't had the MRI, I would not be aware of any of this.
That's good that they don't cause trouble. In the past prior to my mishap I've had pins and needles upper left quad of my back I also would "short circuit" if I moved my arms and head just right. I told my coworker one day about it she said that's not right I should let the doc know. I told her I would at my next appt. I would get the pins and needles when I did the punching bag. In the past year I threw my neck out shaving my legs, I had to go to er when I couldn't lift my head one day and vie had a few days of bad pain in my neck. I had a bad fall three years ago on the left side that I never got checked I always contributed my pains to that. O and I noticed also in the past few months not being able to raise my left arm to get gloves at work so I learned to not use my shoulder and I drop stuff frequently. Stuff just falls out my hands. I bought a cervical soft collar today seems to be ok. Sorry about the rambling I'm new to complaining it sure feels good to let it out. My legs feel funny like I'm wearing knee hi's today. The gabbapentin is making me feel stoned. I'm only on 300 mgs hoping that feeling goes away. What are your spine problems? How bad raw you affected? What treatments have you done? Just curious. Again thanks. I do appreciate the input and you listening!,,
Most insurance carriers will not cover a spine surgery unless these "conservative" measures have been tried and failed. So most people don't have much choice but to try physical therapy, injections, etc. In some case, the steroid injection will take care of the pain...so even though they don't work for everyone, they have to try it.
I will ask pcp for shot. Great idea. Yes doc wants me on cymbal to but said I have to do gab a first then when it doesn't work the insurance will pay for cymbalta. I will make the pt work I will do what it takes to feel better and never go thru this again! Iread what u wrote about your hubby and how he's fine. I don't want surgery I just want a quick fix so I'm not in pain anymore. . I'm sure that's everyones goal also. Thanks again!,, I appreciate your input sooo much!!
The people who want immediate pain relief usually opt for surgery sooner than later. The problem is that sometimes surgery brings with it new pain...not always a resolution of pain. Unfortunately, there are no easy solutions once someone is inflicted with spine problems.
I don't think a PCP will be qualified to give you a steroid injection. It should only be done under fluoroscopy, which is a type of live x-ray/ The needle has to be carefully guided into the area, between the vertebrae, or wherever it is going. Usually these are done by interventional pain management doctors or physiatrists (Doctor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.)
Ok thanks good to know!!! I have a question, I work on my feet all day I work with my arms and would say medium labor position and sometimes I have to protect people from falling down and do a lot of pushing and pulling. My husband is saying I need a desk job, I love my job, do you think he's right? Won't with proper meds and proper technique and active life isn't it possible??? Thanks again!
This would be a very good question to ask your spine surgeon. I think the common sense answer would be yes, it would be better for you if you were not stressing your spine and if a desk job were the answer, then it would make sense. But sitting at a desk is not necessarily without risk either.
Sitting puts 30% more stress on the discs than either standing/walking or lying down.
It may be more a case of learning to move in a way that doesn't put extra pressure on the spine. This is where a PT that is experienced in orthopedic issues could train you and advise you.
You will want to work to evenly build up your core and back muscles and those of the arms and legs so that there are no major muscle imbalances. You will want to maintain a normal weight and exercise to keep your bones strong and the muscles fit. You will want to learn good posture and structural alignment to minimize wear and tear on the whole spine.
Hi and thanks! That's what I'm counting on is with good pt and body mechanics I won't have to alter my career. I had to do it before with my hip and I don't want to do it again. I'm looking forward to returning to work. As for fitness in the future, what would be the best home exercise equipment to get? Thanks again for your help. It is much appreciated
I would wait on the equipment until you are further along in your healing. It will really depend on issues that cannot be known at this time. I wasn't able to use exercise equipment until about 14 months post surgery. I had a lot of instability that was corrected through fusion, but it was at the expense of my SI joints. It took me a good 12 months to get the SI issues worked out. If I had used a treadmill, elliptical trainer or bike, it would have aggravated the SIJ issues...so I walked...on land and in the pool. Walking will always remain the safest exercise for you.
When I was finally allowed into the gym, I worked with a trainer for a couple times who understood my issues. She showed me which particular machines in the gym were better for me...so out of many treadmills, there are two I can use. Out of rows of elliptical trainers, there is one I can use. My point is, all machines are not created equal and you will need to match your specific weak points to a machine that works with you rather than against you. Does that make sense?
Also, after you are fully recovered from surgery, I imagine you will be able to tell after returning to your job, if it is going to continue to aggravate your back and cause you pain. I had a 3 level lumbar fusion two years ago.
I cannot do a task that would have me bending a lot. I am only good for a small number of bends and then I can really start to feel it in my lower back. So if I were gardening professionally, I wouldn't last long.
Yes it makes perfect sense. I'm learning what aggravates my body and what doesn't. I am experiencing strange symptoms since I've been on the gabba or since it's reducing pain I'm aware of other symptoms . I do look forward to doing physical activities though I've gained three pounds lol. I've been sitting out in the heat to help sweat some out. I watch my weight cuz I have a lo thyroid or as I call it a funky thyroid. Never know when it's gonna work. I will google your sij issues since I don't know anything about it. I'm sure if my lower spine was looked at they would find issues cuz my legs fall asleep evrytime I sit but I'm not saying anything to the doc, he will think I've lost it. Lol. Maybe I have. My work is questioning me when I will be back everyday they ask me, soo frustrating cuz I ask myself the same thing. I do one project a day , maybe an hours worth then when I have to take my second dose I need a nap. Yesterday we lost our baby goat to white muscle disease so we did "hospice" with him my gf and myself then her hubby dug the hole. He was only two and a half months old. Three weeks ago my cat of 16 years died so this time off has been very emotionally exhausting. Although I've notice with the med I don't cry. Like physically can't until the dosage runs off. Well nice chatting with you. Have a great day. Will talk later
Sorry about the loss of your goat and cat. Loss of a pet is always difficult. One of the worst parts of a back "issue" is all the waiting...waiting for an appointment, waiting to see if a medication or treatment is going to work, waiting to see if something is healing, etc. I feel like I spent the better part of the past five years in these holding patterns.
. I'm sure that's everyones goal also. Thanks again!,, I appreciate your input sooo much!!
