For over a year now I have had progressively worse neck pain. My right arm is constantly tingling and burning. I have noticed that for the last 2 months I have had wierd symptoms like losing bowel control, feeling lighheaded, nausea, vomiting, and feeling like I am hung over in the AM. I havent told my Dr yet of these new symptoms but finally had an MRI last week and the nurse called to inform me I have right flattening of my spinal cord due to degenerative disc disease as well as arthritis. When I asked questions she really didnt have answers only that I have an appt with a specialist and they will answer my questions then. What does it mean my spinal cord is flattend? I am concerned now wondering if all these wierd symptoms are b/c of my neck pain. Any info is very appreciated. Thank you.
I would strongly suggest that you immediately tell your Dr. of those symptoms.
There are different terms used by radiologists to describe the level of contact a disc or growth may have with the spinal cord; impinge, flatten, or displace. They can mean something or nothing.
I definitely wouldn't let those symptoms fly under the radar.
Only your physician will know whether they are significant or unrelated.
I hope you feel better!
Last edited by funny4mony; 05-04-2006 at 12:38 PM.
I 've been seein a dr. for a while for neck etc.......she has had me on ever kind of medicine I believe. But a chiropractor told me the same thing about the flat spine.............. I am miserable every day...almost. neck is always tight and stiff, using the computer is the worst!!! Also my shoulders and upper back get sharp knivelike pain in them, now my wrists and hands. Dangit! What did the Dr. do for you? Or anyone reading this who might know something......BTW Hope your feeling a lil better.
I also had severe cord flattening for about a year and a half before surgery. Like you I had the same symptoms and none of the pain meds or relaxers worked. I saw both a NS and orthopedic. My NS retired so I went to the orthopedic spine specialist for surgery. He did a ACDF C4/5. Needless to say if you have read the posts on this site some of us still have many of the same pains as pre surgery. I am told it takes time to heal. Your MRI showed both bone and tissue causing the stenosis, not good. Not ever going to be good. Bone doesn't go away. Go to a NS immediately with MRI in hand.
Hello,
Sorry to hear about your pain...I strongly agree w/"Backinthesaddle"....Go to a NS immediately with MRI in hand.
Or maybe a neurologist, definitely not a family doctor..you need to get to a specialist.
I had weird pain for about 6 months too...numbness/tingling, muscle spasms.
MRI showed 2 herniated discs compressing spinal cord...I had an ACDF w/fusion done last Friday on C-5/6 and C-6/7.
Make sure you keep a daily record of symptoms and rate your pain on a scale of 0 to 10.......it helps to share with others going thru the same thing!....
Here's hoping to a better day tomorrow!
Jennifer
Re: Spinal Cord Flattening in C-spine 
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