Please Help!

fredsangel · #1 (**permalink**) 10-19-2007, 09:06 PM

I received a copy of an MRI report today. I took the MRI on Monday 10/15. A pain mgmt spec. I was seeing for Prolotherapy recommended I get an MRI to see if I had any disk damage. In the mean time my insurance co. has decided they are not paying for the Prolotherapy after they said they would and now the doc. won't see me anymore until the mess with the Prolotherapy is straightened out. Long story short I have no one to decipher the MRI report. Here is what was stated

Findings:
The cervical vertebral bodies are in satisfactory alignment. The cervical spinal cord is in intact. At C3-4 uncinate degeneration produces mild right sided foraminal compromise. The canal is patent. At C4-5 uncinate degeneration produces mild right sided foraminal compromise. The canal is intact. At C5-6 a disc osteophyte complex is seen and leads to mild central canal stenosis. Also at this level, uncinate degeneration produces a moderate degree of left sided foraminal compromise. The remaining cervical interspaces are intact.

Impression:
Multilevel degenerative disc and joint disease as described. Most notable are mild degrees of foraminal compreomise on the right at C3-4 and C4-5, moderate left sided foraminal compromise at C5-6 and mild canal stenosis at C5-6.

I have been suffering for years with intense burning, aching pain in my right neck and shoulder area. I've been told I have myofascial pain syndrome, but none of the usual treatments are working. I'm ready to blow my brains out. I can barley sit at my desk for an 8 hr day much less go home and be a mom and wife. What type of doctor should I go see now based on the MRI?

Thanks
fredsangel

fuzzy · #2 (**permalink**) 10-20-2007, 01:36 AM

I am not a doctor.

It seems the MRI report suggests there is something going on that might explain the troubles you are having. From what I have learned you should see a neurologist (nerve doctor) who can do many tests to diagnose the origin of your problems. And then depending on the results of that visit an orthopedic surgeon (bone doctor) specializing in spinal problems to interpret your pain history, the neurological report and, of cause, the MRI and also regular x rays.

As you can tell many of us here have or will be having surgeries but this is something you should research and get double and triple opinions on if this is brought up by one of the doctors you visit.

Mark, the founder of this site will problably have some very good advice for you as well.

sahuaro · #3 (**permalink**) 10-20-2007, 02:13 AM

I too am dealing with cervical issues and similar pain which makes sitting for long periods very difficult. I have trigger points and muscle spasms because of the guarding. So, in addition to the suggestions to see a neurologist, conservative treatment modalities such as physical therapy, massage and exercise may be of help. Also, I find the Thermacare neck wraps helpful.

fredsangel · #4 (**permalink**) 10-20-2007, 02:44 PM

Thanks, for your replys. I have been dealing with this pain for about 17 yrs. and have reached my witsend. I've been through trigger point injections, botox injections, I've taken meds for nerve ending pain, anti inflamatories, anti depressants, TENS unit, Prolotherapy, you name it I've done it and nothing works. My doctors always thought it was a muscular problem, but now it sounds like there may be something else at the root of the muscular problem.

So you think my next step should be a neurosurgeon?

Thanks
fredsangel

mmglobal · #5 (**permalink**) 10-20-2007, 05:11 PM

Your symptoms sound much like mine. I'm OK in the morning, but as the day wears on, the aches in my upper back, shoulder get worse and worse. When I'm lit up, it becomes very difficult to function later in the day and when I go home, I'm completely spent... can't really do anything. Having said that, most of the time, I'm doing too well for me to consider the 2-level disc replacement surgery that would be the appropriate for the 'moderately severe foraminal stenosis".

fredsangel · #6 (**permalink**) 10-22-2007, 03:05 PM

Are you on any type of pain medication, if so what type of doctor prescribed them to you? I just need some relief other than laying around all the time.

Yesterday was Sunday and I laid around and rested most of the day, then it was time to fix dinner. I was on my feet for a couple of hours fixing a big dinner and by the time I was finished I didn't even want to eat I was hurting so bad. I had to go lay down with my trusty heating pad.

Carla aka fredsangel