Newbie,,,short notice need answers

[PepsiDoodles]

the flick middle finger test is called Hoffmans, it is used to determine rate of spinal cord compression and tells the surgeon what area of spine it is beginning point at, from what I could figure out after a brief read....

[PepsiDoodles]

ok, got report in hands, here is what it says,

Grade 1 anterolisthesis of c-2 upon c-3
Advanced degenerative disc disease throughout cervical spine
Cervical cord demonstrates region of T2 signal intensity at the c-7-t1 space

c4-c5 broad-based herniation, flattening of cervical cord

c5-c6 slight flattening of cervical cord

c-7-t1 advanced degenerative disc disease broad-based herniation, encroachment upon central canal with flattening of the cervical cord with srynx change or myelomalacic change

[Maria]

the latter results to mmglobal. He's the creator of this site and has had cervical surgery and has connections with a number of spine surgeons so I'm really hoping he's going to see your post. I know you have to be feeling like you're up against a rock and hard place and would like some reassurance or someone that has a really better idea of what you're talking about. Honestly I know that 11th hour feeling...

I'm here if nothing else to just be here and listen no matter what happens no matter what you want to say~ Maria

[PepsiDoodles]

thank you very much Maria, yes I hope they read it to, I will be here until Wednesday, or not, will go in by ambulance if anything more strange happens

[the_aborigine]

just posted this to my thread, figured I'd post it here, I have gotten results with SpineMED, none surgical disc decompression.

all the best,

[PepsiDoodles]

will look at the spinemed link thank you!

The OMM, Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, a doctor who specializes in putting your bones into the right place and order, like when the spasms pull my ribs out, she moves them back into place, and same with hips for sciatic nerve and lower and mid back problems all mostly due to the spasms.....about 6 months ago my lower back went out so bad I could not stand or walk nothing, went to ER called her, she is also my GP, and she said when done there to come by her office so I did..good thing to! She worked on my spine for about an hour moving the bones with small movement (wish I knew how to do it on myself) but by the time she was done I could stand and walk, was still tender, but was fine in 3 days back to normal...and why has NO doctor EVER mentioned OMM treatment all these years is beyond me! Ask your GP for a referral to one, I get aligned every 2 weeks weather I need it or not, but when ribs go out a few times a week from spasms, she fits me right in......was odd, the apt before yesterday with her 2 days before Christmas, she said then I will be needing surgery as the spasms were so bad constantly, she said they are never like that unless the nerves are being cut off in a bad way and it usually indicates surgery needs to be done,,told her she was right, and she busted her tail on everything that needed to be done on her end as far as referrals and cardio work up and so on...she is 1 in a million! Am blessed she is my GP for sure! But yes, for anyone with back spine problems I highly recommend talk to your GP about the option of seeing an OMM doc!

[Maria]

I'm used to them being called D.O. doctor of Osteopathic medicine and I worked with at a hospital here that had a large number of them doing clinical hours (about half DOs and half MDs)... and have had several DO's. In fact while I was working there I used to get manipulated on a regular basis each week.. sometimes every day even!

Yeah.. the ones that are really gifted are incredible and then there are those that while they catch the theory aren't good at the practice or nothing to write home about.

I actually had a PT that was the absolute best at manipulation that I've ever encountered.. he was so gifted it was incredible. I credit him for helping me get over a lot of my chronic pain stuff from my failed '92 surgery and also helping me out incredibly during my worst migraine phase (began when I was 47 I think).

Anyway I think we're talking about the same specialty. I didn't really know about DOs either until I got the job at this hospital clinic and that was back in 1990 or so.

[PepsiDoodles]

Yes, a DO is also same specialty but they need to specialize in the (forget the name right now) structure of the bones and spine, yes most do not make that their priority, but the ones who do will have a special OMM certification...yes best ever treatment, I never knew they could do that,,,,if I had would of had a long time ago like in the 90's lol!!! Wish I could marry one lol!!! At home care daily at it's finest lol!!

Been having a rough time getting used to the diluaded , great for the pain, but knocks me out, getting more rest than have in over a year! Bags under eyes almost gone but don't like to stay this way day after day, but think the idea is to keep me from doing much anyway, so will keep on it as missed a dose today and the joy of the pain spiked in full force, crazy how much we live with, and when we get relief, then if you miss a dose, I am like omg how was I living with this day after day with just Tylenol,,,,guess I built up a tolerance to the pain, don't know?

But I did read the worst cases for the most part are where the patient will have mild pain, until later stages

[theBadCormorant]

Originally Posted by PepsiDoodles

the flick middle finger test is called Hoffmans, it is used to determine rate of spinal cord compression and tells the surgeon what area of spine it is beginning point at, from what I could figure out after a brief read....

hmmm, I have just been trying that test on myself and I can't get any reflex reaction out of my thumb on either hand - I'm worrying now, didn't think there was anything much wrong with my neck...

I am curious about the mouth numbness you mention in the first post, as far as i know the facial nerves go no where near the spine, is there something else going on ?

And best of luck with your problems, sounds like you are going through hell. - what age are you ?

[PepsiDoodles]

the srynx has changed in the report but failed to mention how, am sure will see at docs, but that would cause the facial numbness, it has already shut down my esophagus

[theBadCormorant]

a brief read on it and it would appear it is all to do with spinal fluid and can affect the facial nerves. did this happen after the botched epidural ?

[PepsiDoodles]

YES it did!

[PepsiDoodles]

went through this sort of over a yr ago with the numb mouth before I ever got an epidural though to

[PepsiDoodles]

just about to turn 51

[PepsiDoodles]

Originally Posted by theBadCormorant

hmmm, I have just been trying that test on myself and I can't get any reflex reaction out of my thumb on either hand - I'm worrying now, didn't think there was anything much wrong with my neck...

I am curious about the mouth numbness you mention in the first post, as far as i know the facial nerves go no where near the spine, is there something else going on ?

And best of luck with your problems, sounds like you are going through hell. - what age are you ?

from what I understand, you don't want any reflex on your thumb so that is good, I did it on myself an it springs on its own

[PepsiDoodles]

ok, I am technically challenged, BUT, I figured out how to open the MRI on my pc, and lets just say it DOES NOT LOOK GOOD AT ALL! The srynx last yr was at c7 9mm, from what I see it is c6 to c8 now and huge but dimensions not given, lots of real bad looking shit with disc's and so on though, can see unstable bones excreta,,,,had so many of these dam things can read them myself pretty much by looking at the pics but yes, can see why the bulge is there now, can also see where the epidural hole is and it is right into THAT DISC! and bone below it, and I can see why it is popped off at a weird angle going to burn a copy of this before I leave the house.

[Maria]

contacting mmglobal (Mark)here .. he could probably be helpful with looking at the MRI... there is contact information for him somewhere on this site (contact us).

[PepsiDoodles]

thank you Maria thank you!

[theBadCormorant]

Originally Posted by PepsiDoodles

from what I understand, you don't want any reflex on your thumb so that is good, I did it on myself an it springs on its own

I see, the reflex is an indication of a neurological problem elsewhere within the spinal column - presumably similar to when the knee reflex does a double or treble kick. So not a good sign.

I read elsewhere that this phenomenon (Hoffmans reflex) can appear in very healthy people but when it does it will always appear in both hands, hence some (maybe all) doctors only take note of it when it appears in only one hand.

I tested the wife by flicking the end of one of her fingers and noted a very strange reflex, she went ouch then her other hand flew up and hit me in the ear - hmmmm - not sure what that indicates!

[PepsiDoodles]

Yes, it is called Hoffmans test, but the middle finger is and he flicks it down, as he is flicking it down, jus the end flange of it, he is looking to see if the index of thumb move involuntarily, it they do it is positive for ALS or (forget the other condition) but if the patient has known spinal condition it tells them where the nerve is impinged at, like the c spine vrs the thoracic or lumbar, if positive it is in the c spine,,, well am off soon, not sure what will happen, just had to get a tooth infection an was told yesterday could go either way, might have to stay or could be sent to get dental work before he does anything...

[theBadCormorant]

very best of luck

[PepsiDoodles]

thank you