New and need help.......MRI explanation..Hx of drug abuhse

[JennRock123]

Hey all!

I have been diagnosed with pseudo tumor cerebrospinal, FMS and depression. I deal with daily pressure headaches because my body makes to much spinal fluid causing me to have lumbar punctures to drain off fluid from my brain. My next step is to get a shunt to drain it automatically. I have severe muscle spasms and pain in my neck that is side effect of this disease.   I also have back pain that feels like a corset and feels like someone is squeezing me.

I have poo problems with pain pills in the past because I had severe endometriosis that caused a hysterectomy at 29. I am not on regular pain meds. I take Subutex 8mg 2x daily 300mg BID of Lyrics Soma 250mg 3x daily Elavil 50mgs and Inderall.  The Neuro sent me for MRI because of pain and here are results

C4_5  mild disc buldging and anterior spurring
C 5-6 marked disc narrowing and prominent bilateral uncovertebral spurring. This gently defaced the exit root sleeves , particularly on the left.
C6-7Marked disc narrowing. Mild bilateral uncovertebral eponymous

DDD and eponymous

T5-6 there is a left lateral disc herniation profusion type barely indenting the sac
T6-7 there is a left lateral disc herniation protrusion type. This is moderate in size and contacts us anterolateral aspect of the cord on the left
C  7-T1 there is a very shallow and anterolateral disc herniation or scar barely approaching  sac.



Can anyone explain these to me in layman's terms?  Because of my history with Lortab abuse I am very scared to take narcotics again but between my headaches and neck/back pain I am so miserable. I hurt all the time and I don't know what to do.....

I could use some insight and support right now. Thanks in advance!

NET JENN

[JennRock123]

Any other responses?

[JennRock123]

Thank you both for your replies. Funny the nurse at my Neuro's office stating that my MRI's are "essentially normal" why did she say that when they are . Obviously not. Is it not too bad are something?

Kelvin the subutex helps minimal with pain but again I'm scared startup on opiates. I'm scared cause I hurt so bad. Just kinda lost at this point.

Hugs,
EMT JENN

[philnoir]

Jenn, you have back problems -- this is clear from your MRI. If I were a medical doctor, I might call it degenerative disc disease. Please consult with your doc about this MRI for a proper diagnosis.

As for being an ex-opiate abuser, you still have a right to pain treatment. Ex-addicts are treated every day. Subutex can be effective for pain, just like morphine, and if this stops working, other long acting / extended release opiates, like Oxycontin or Kadian, can help with little risk of addiction. These medications offer no "rush" like short acting opiates, but they are effective against pain.

Also useful for any chronic pain patient is a pain psychologist. This is a professional trained in health psychology that can help you understand your disease, and help you find ways of living in pain. Ask your doc for some referrals, or visit your local university hospital pain clinic.

best wishes to you.

[Kalvin]

The squeezing sensation is probably related to your problems at T6/7, I have the same thing, it's horrible I know.U also have some nerve compression issues at C5/6 which would cause shoulder blade pain, among other things. I deal with this as well, I've had 2 neck surgeries, still dealing with a lot of pain.

Does the subs help at all with the pain or are u just taking it to get off the opiates?What are your Doctors tell u, what's their course of action.

[JennRock123]

S there no-one around  to help me out on this board??

Please I would love some feedback.

[JennRock123]

I didn't mean I had poo problems lol autocorrect...I meant I have HAD problems with pain pills....

Is there anyone out there to give advice??

EMT JENN

[JennRock123]

Forgot  to add I have left shoulder blade burning. Does my MRI give clues as to why?