Appt for Neurologist anyone similiar MRI finding and surgery?

Hi, I am new to this part of the forum, so I hope I am posting in the correct place as I know there is also a pain forum and probably a back or spine forum. I will try to condense this and make sense. I am a 55 year old female who hurt my back on the job in 1999. ( Mid thoractic and lumbar of the spine, severe strain ) the mid back improved over a month or so, but the lower back never did and I was laid off my job a year later, in 2000 because I could not meet the lifting requirement of the job, teaching and was made permanent and stationary for Workmans Comp. The dr. then decided to do a MRI and found out I had herniated disk.

Over the years I have been on every med: lortab, neurontin, soma, flexeril, Lidoderm patches, Amitripilyne, Viox,Bextra,Percocet,physical therapy, pool therapy, accupuncture, epidurals, SI injections, Facet Injections, etc. I have been on Methadone for the past 5 years and also take Lortab for break through pain and also Celebrex and have a TENS unit. I have been to lots of specialist and everyone reccomends different things which Workmans Comp seldom will pay for. Finally After almost 8 years I get to go back to the Neurosurgeon to discuss surgery options on the 20th of April. following is my MRI results  condensed.
at L3-L4 there is a diffuse posterior disc bulge without evidence of hernation. There are hypertrophic changes involving the ligamentum flavum and facet joints resulting in mild central canal narrowing. without spinal stenosis. There is an asymetric bulge encroaching upon the proximal inferior right neural foramina at this level. The left neural foramna is patent.
At the L4-L5 level there is a small central posterior disc herniation and a small right foraminal disc hernation. There is mild encroachment upon the anterir thecal sac at this level without spinal stenosis. There may be mild mass effect upon the exiting nerve root at this level secondary to the right formainal disc hernation.
Impression; Small central and right foraminal disc hernations L4-L5.
Mild central canal narrowing iat L3-L4 secondary to a diffusly bulging disc and hypertrophic changes involving the ligmentum flavum  without spinal stenosis. There is mild encroachment upon the right neural foramina at this lvel secondary to a asymmetric disc bulge.Moderate dessication (desiccation) also noted
         the X -ray results are as follows
AP lateral and bilateral oblique radiographs of the lumbar spine demonstrate mild to moderate multi level degenerative change primarily of the lower lumbar spine with endplate osteophytes. There is height loss at L3-L4, L4-L5, and L5-S1.No listhesis or spondylolisthesis. Mild degenerative changes at the sacroillac joints.
               I have not worked since 2000 because of my back and am currently on Social Security and SSI. I am in constant pain, and not only is my low back very painful, but also my hips ( or Facet or SSI JOints ?) and both knees are giving out,and I have had 3 foot operations in the last 16 months. There are too many other things to go into in this right now, but this is my question. Is there anyone who has had similiar MRI results and seen the Neurosurgeon and if so what type of surgeyr or options were you given? I Have had 10 years of Conservative care and am tired of being in pain constantly and would like to feel better. Any help is appreciated greatly. I have less than two weeks till I see the dr. I was given the option of surgery 9 years ago, but wanted to try the conservative route first. Help please. Thank you very much.                                                         fluffypurrcat

[selmaS]

Hi...I would suggest u try the back and neck forum..kittyluv1 can answer this quite well.

I am sorry ur in so much pain. I can relate to ur pain, but not ur MRI report.I have not had a proper dx until more recently.

I pray u get ur answers and the info u need to make ur decesion on ur surgery.

"selma"

[fluffypurrcat]

Hi, thank you for the suggestion. I did post there and Kittyluv1 did respond. She did explain a few of the MRI explanations and told me that I had a complicated case and I may get a certain type of surgery but mostly would depend on when I saw the dr. and what he thought after looking at the MRI.

I was hoping to hear from somone who had similiar experiences and could relate and mayby they had surgery that I could read about and know what I may be experinceing. From what I have read, reading the other posts, everyone is asking about their MRIs, etc, and nonone is really responding with similiar situations, it is more of a enterpretation reading and not anyone responding to my one on one questions.

You are actaully the only person who has responded to me on a one to one basis. I appreciate that. What kind of pain are you in? What is your story, and what type of injury do you have? Are you on any meds and if so what type of meds are you taking? Are you seeing a DR. and if so, what does he say about your condition? These are the type of things I want to hear. other peoples stories related to pain in the back, neck etc, and what is happeing to people in similiar conditions.You said you did not have a proper DX until more recently. What type of diagnosis did you get?
            I hurt my back in 1999, and DRs. are still arguing over exactly what my diagnosis is., DDD, vs FAcet Disease vs SI disease vs a combination of the three.
I think when people hurt their back, and even their neck, but esp their backs, it is diffiucult for DR.s to agree on a diagnosis yet alone treat it. Sometimes you have to suffer for a long time before dr.s will even bother treating you or treat you seriously.


                   Let me know how you are doing and what your story is, I would enjoy hearing from you . Hope you can get the help you need. Thank you for the help and advice for the other forum you gave. Take care.                   fluffypurrcat