Tomorrows my appointment

[Rutey]

Well, I go to the neurosurgeon tommorrow at 2:15 with my new MRI'S. He has already told me I need surgery on the C-7 T1, (from looking at my cervical MRI'S) Im taking my thoracic and lumbar, along with my brain MRI for him to look at.
MRI  OF BRAIN
1) No acute abnormality.
2) Two small foci of nonspecific T2 hypertensity. These can be seen in patients with migraine headaches. They may also represent an old infart or demylelination.
MRI OF THORACIC SPINE
1) Multiple mid to lower thoracic disk herniations resulting in mild cord deformity at the T8-T9, T9-T10 levels. Left ligamentum flavum buckling and facet arthropathy result in mild deformity of left posterior cord at T10-T11 level.
2) C7-T1 Disk herniation deforming left cervical cord and encroaching on the left exiting c8 nerve root as seen on the prior exam from August 13, 2007.
MRI OF LUMBAR SPINE
1) Lumbarization of the S1 vertical body demonstrated.
2) GRADE 1 Degenerative subluxation at the L5-S1 Level with mild sac deformity. There are multiple bulges and sites of posterior element degeneration without significant central stenosis or critical neural foraminal encroachment. However, facet arthopathy is severe at the L5-S1 level bilaterally.

Im looking for some advice from others that have had similar spine problems. I also have an appointment with a neurologist on Oct. 10th.for a MS workup.

Any thoughts or advice?

RUTEY

[Rutey]

Sorry about the double post, didnt think it went through. Another brain fart, so sorry!
RUTEY

[Rutey]

Thanks for your response. I see my neurosurgeon tomorrow, he's already told me I need another surgery on my neck. I'm going tomorrow to see what he says about my thoracic and lumbar MRI. I'm hoping he doesnt recommend surgery on my back too. I see the neurologist on the 10th for my EMG and workup for MS. I'm hoping my  problem is only having a bad spine and no MS. I realize now there is such a nice group of people on this board that will help me through anything that happens to me.I wish you luck at the doc tomorrow, please write me back and let me know how it went.Are you going to the neurologist for a work up or a neurosurgeon?

RUTEY I                                                      

[Rutey]

Thanks for your response. I see my neurosurgeon tomorrow, he's already told me I need another surgery on my neck. I'm going tomorrow to see what he says about my thoracic and lumbar MRI. I'm hoping he doesnt recommend surgery on my back too. I see the neurologist on the 10th for my EMG and workup for MS. I'm hoping my  problem is only having a bad spine and no MS. I realize now there is such a nice group of people on this board that will help me through anything that happens to me.I wish you luck at the doc tomorrow, please write me back and let me know how it went.Are you going to the neurologist for a work up or a neurosurgeon?

RUTEY I                                                      

[Dante220]

I am also going tomorrow, I have been very active, and came back from a mt climb with numb feet. I think I have a disc problem, but my MRI shows some other things that may indicate MS. I have show the info to two people, and both say MS - but I did not thing that it could be so difinative. And what I see in the MRI is small. My back on the other hand is bad - I know I have degenerative disc disease in my family, and understand that the numbness could be from this. But I am also having wooshing in my ears.

The stress the situation has caused me to have more symtoms.

And basically everything I have read, leads me to believe any symtom I have could be MS. It is upsetting and confusing. I hope you have a good experience with your doctor.

[Quixotic1]

No, your bony, vertebral problems are not from MS.  Did you ever do gymnastics when you were young.  This is the kind of back competitive gymnasts get at age 40 or so.

Quix

[Rutey]

Some one asked me as a joke if my spine was hit by a grenade. I had to laugh, it was pretty funny. I honestly have no idea, why my spine is as bad as it is. Maybe years of nursing,and lifting heavy patients. I had my cervical MRI a month before my thoracic and lumbar. My neuro hasnt seen my thoracic and lumbar, but will tomorrow. My question is regarding contrast. When I went in for the thoracic and lumbar, my prescription was written for contrast and without. The tech stated that they only did contrast on a patient that had had a previous surgery or history of cancer. So both my MRI'S were with NO contrast. My cervical was done with contrast because of a previous anterior disectomy (done in 1/06) I couldnt understand why they didnt but he said that was standard procedure, sounded strange to me. Can a spine get this bad due to MS? Im at a total loss why its as bad as it is!

[grannyhotwheels]

What a mess you are!  WOW!  I can't wait to see what the doctor has to say when he sees that. Did your other doc tell you that the lesions where typical of MS or not?  I wish you the best,

I'll be praying,
Carol

[T-lynn]

Your spine is a wreck,my best advice is get a neurosurgeon who has a spinal fellowship.Always get a second opinion.

My first lumbar surgery was a disaster,not to scare you,it had to be recontructed by a neurosurgeon with a spinal fellowship.

A Dr with a spinal fellowship dedicates 90 % of there time working soley on the spine.

My spine is a wreck,I have thoracic herniations and bulging and it can stay there.i have a mild herniated disk in the neck and one in the lumbar.I also have degenerative disk disease ,facet arthopathy, and radiculopathy.

Much depends on your pain level and if a surgeon can releive it.

I wish you well at both appointments.

T