Neck MRI results and extremen pain

Question

I presently am in excruiting pain on the base of my neck, left shoulder and severe arm pain also left shoulder.  I had a MRI 1 mth ago.  I was at emergency today as I could no longer bare the pain.  I have had neck problems diagnosed about 7 years ago.  I have exhausted all types of treatment.  Emergency prescribed percocet and naproxen and has provided relief.  However the Emerg Doctor told me there is only mild changes.  I am reading the MRI report and these are the findings:
Moderate disc degenerative changes at c5-6 level with  mild disc degen changes at the c4-5 and c6-7 levels.  There is no evidenve of abnormal spinal cord signal intensity.  At the C3-4 level degen. spurring in the Luschka joint and facet joint on the right results in at most moderate right-sided foraminal stenosis.  Facet degen changes are noted bilateraly.
At the c4-5 level there are mild facet degenerative changes bilaterally greater on the left.
At the c5-6 levels these is some posterior disc bulging, posterior endplate degenerative spurring and thickening of the ligamentum flavum bilaterally without significant central spinal stenosis.  There is no focal disc herniation.  Degenerative spurring in the Luvchka joints and favet joints bilaterally results in mild to moderate left sided foraminal stenosis and fairly severe right sided foraminal stenosis.
At the c6-7 level there is central and left paracentral disc herniation which is fairly smal in size.  There is no significan central spinal stenosis.  There is mild ompression of the left lateral aspect of the thecal sacv without convincing compression of the left c7 nerve root.  No other significant spinal abnormality is identifed.

My neck has always given me problems.  However in the last 8 days the pain has been very intense but on and off.However in the past 3 days the pain is constant and ongoing.   I know my c6 disc goes from herniated to bulging as I have had several MRIs.  The feeling in my neck feels like it does when there is a  herniation. 
 I have been referred to a Neurosurgeon through my Dr (sport medicine).  
Can you explain what this means and if it could cause the level of pain I am experiencing.  I am unable to function with the pain and I am a very active person.  I do not yet have an appointment with the Neurosurgeon and was told it wont be until June or July.  I also have been experiencing confusion, I couldnt figure out what day it was and it took about 5 min to figure it out and severe diarrhea ( I have ddd in my back and SI joint) . The Doctor at Emergency did not feel that I need to see a surgeon asap.

DrSharma · Accepted Answer

Hi there. Your MRI spine documents that you have degenerative disc disease starting from c4 to c7 and spinal stenosis at c3-4,c4-5, c5-6 levels. These changes are causing the pain. In the late stages of spinal degeneration, bone spurs from the degenerative process can cause spinal stenosis. These narrow the size of the spinal canal. Bone spurs begin to press on the spinal cord and the nerve roots. pressure on these nerves in the spinal cord can cause numbness, tingling or pain in arms, hands and legs. This is the cervical myelopathy and is the worsened scenario from a single nerve root pinched by a herniated disc or bone spur. You need to consult a neurosurgeon with your mri for a tentative surgical decompression. Physical therapy, acupressure, epidural injection of steroids an also need to be considered before surgery. Take care.