Hello everyone
Just want to say thank you to all of you for answering me so fast. I live in Malaysia (half way around the world from you guys) and will be going to Singapore (very advanced in medicine) tomorrow to get another opinion from another neurosurgen. Cross your fingers..One neurosurgen told me that I should have another MRI taken after taking the medication and rest for 3 weeks to see what hapenned to the discs..Just wonder if there'd be an improvement through rest and medication/
Yesterday while I was surfing I have found the website
www.rebuildyourback.com. This is a website started by a journalist who investigates into any health issue. He has written two books after consulting with many many doctors. He has 2 books about rebuilding your back and rebuilding your neck. Apparently a lot of doctors say that MRI results should not be the decision making criteria when it comes to surgery. It's your symptoms that shoud be taken into notice. I do not have any pain anywhere, I only have this mild pins and needles feeling (mildly) on my left arm. My father has the same problem and have made it (I am not sure about his details though) over 30 years with occasional physical therapy, collar, medicatian etc..He has a lot of bone spurs too and lumbar problem too. Please check
www.rebuildyourback.com. I am not saying it works for everyone but it has a lot of information derived from othopedists and neurosurgens. The journalist's name is Dean Moyer. He says 90% of the cases are resolved with these neck and back exercises he has put together from various MDs and therapists. Ofcourse you always have to ask your doctor first before you start it. I will get the book and show the neurosurgen tomorrow.
Here is my MRI report
T1W and T2W sagittal sections at 5mm intervals
T2W axial sections at 5 mm intervals.
There is loss of the normal cervical lordosis. (I've had this for ages already)
A right postero-lateral disc prolapse at c5-c6/ Part of the prolapsed disc is seen to encroach on the neuro foramen on the right. There is compression on the exiting nerve root on the same side . (I HAVE NO SYMPTOMS ON MY RIGHT ARM THOUGH!)
A left postero-lateral disc prolapse at c6-c7/ Part of the prolapsed disc is seen to encroach on the neuro foramen on the left. There is compression on the exiting nerve root on the same side .
Posterior osteophyte is seen at the level c4/c5 encroaching on the neuroforamen on the right.
The cervical spine cord appears normal. There is no cord compression nor space occupying lesion seen. There is no change in signal intensity of the spinal cord.
Anterior and posterior osteophytes are seen at he levels of c4-c5, c5-c6 and c6-c7.
Changes of the end plate disease are seen at the level of c5-c6.
There is no change in the signal intensity of the bone marrow of the rest of the cervical vertebrea.
IMPRESSION:
1. C5/C6 right postero-lateral disc prolapse
2. c6/C7 left postero-lateral disc prolapse
3. Cervical spondylosis
They say if people even without any problems would go and get MRIs done to their cervical spine they will find a lot of things that could put them in worry. Like I said my dad managed somehow and his bone spurs were really bad. He is 78 years old today. Lucky guy he did not go for surgery and a lot told him to do so.
Have you heard anyone with spinal fusion surgery that went over 20 yrs or so without other discs slipping and no serious complications. I cannot find a success srtory on the web.
This is really confusing, When I feel fit enough to go and play golf or tennis or run..I am told to take it easy, take medicine, wear a collar and stay home for 3 weeks.
Please let me know about your impressions..
Thank you all so much again..
Hugs to all
Sonata