| Herniated Cervical Disc
Hello,
First time post and I'm hoping someone can help me understand my condition. On one hand I'm told it's not to bad but on the other the pain has me off work until I see a surgeon.
I am told I have a herniated cervical disc at c5/c6 and have been referred for surgery. My appointment with the neurosurgeon isn't until January 2010.
My MRI from September said:
There is reversal of the normal cervical lordosis with straightening of the upper c spine.
The c4-c5 level shows minimal bulging of the annulus, slightly contacting the thecal sac. Neural formina and central canal remain patent.
The c5- c6 shows mild broad based disc bulge with superimposed large left posterolateral disc osteophyte complex and left greater than right uncovertabral arthropathy. There is resultand moderate narrowing of the left lateral recess in the opening of the left neural formina. Please cooelate clinically for left sided c6 radiculpathy. Right neural formina and central canal remain patent.
The c6-c7 level shows minor bulging of the annulus, slightly contacting the thecal sac. Neural formina and central canal remain patent.
Impression: degenerative disc disease and disc osteophyte complex.
My symptoms have been getting worse. Initially there was upper back pain between the shoulder blades, nausea, vomiting, tremmers, trouble walking.
It progressed into:
a burning sensation in the upper back now spread across the upper back and the base of the neck,
sharp pain under the left shoulder blade,
pain into the left shoulder and down the arm,
numbness along the left shoulder blade and now in the left upper arm area.
pain and stiffness turning my head left and right
Can't look up or down due to stiffness and/or pain
disoriented spells that affect ability to walk and cause nausea and panic
trouble breathing with pain and spasms/ shortness of breath
left arm doesn't raise and feels like it's weighted above the elbow
I sum times have 'trouble' with my leg but I'm told it's unrelated.
The pain is constant but gets worse with any mobility. I can't sit for long, can't stand for long and walking can be an issue at times. The sharp shocking pain is so strong I can't help but let out a cry. Using my left arm is out of the question.
Is this normal? My physiotherapist says I'm deteriorating and need to see the specialist ASAP but I can't rush the appointment. I take T3, robaxasil c 1/2 and Percaset (Oxycoden) for pain daily. I also have an anti-inflammatory drug to try to control the numbness now in the left side of my neck and face.
How do I know what is what?
Sorry this is so long, I'm just trying to figure out why it's getting worse not better and why the orthopedic surgeon would say that surgery is my only option and send me to a Nero-surgeon.
Any help would be great the not knowing is killing me. Physio and TENS aren't helping at all.
Thank you in advance.
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