Aa
Neuro Appointment Tomorrow
I don't really have a question or anything....but my follow-up appt is tomorrow. I'll be receiving my MRI and blood test results. I'm feeling a little anxious. I have been driving myself nuts looking up conditions on the internet. I'm also terrified I am going to walk away with zero answers.
I'm glad the snow is done (I hope!), so my appt will not be rescheduled. I think I would lose my mind if I couldn't go!
Hope all is well with all of you and that those of you in cold climates are keeping warm!
Kristin
I'm glad the snow is done (I hope!), so my appt will not be rescheduled. I think I would lose my mind if I couldn't go!
Hope all is well with all of you and that those of you in cold climates are keeping warm!
Kristin
hi again, kristin,
well, i just don't want to come off like some bossy know-it-all. i realize we open ourselves up to input from others when we join these boards, but our health is still a personal issue no matter what.
and i don't believe i speak only for myself when i say that i would be happy to continue to show you support during your quest for wellness when you leave limboland behind. i'll be particularly interested in the outcome of your c-spine treatment, whatever path you choose.
best wishes to you,
binx
well, i just don't want to come off like some bossy know-it-all. i realize we open ourselves up to input from others when we join these boards, but our health is still a personal issue no matter what.
and i don't believe i speak only for myself when i say that i would be happy to continue to show you support during your quest for wellness when you leave limboland behind. i'll be particularly interested in the outcome of your c-spine treatment, whatever path you choose.
best wishes to you,
binx
Thanks so much for your thoughts. Please don't feel you need to apologize for sharing your experiences.
In the back of my mind, I'm like really?, Really?, this is the casue of ALL my symptoms?? Especially my cognitive issues. She believes that my concentration and memory issues are not caused by my bulge and stenosis but caused from my symptoms/pain. I'm still not so sure...but I want to remain positive and give therapy/tx a shot. I promise I will not jump right into surgery.
Getting other opinions is a great idea and I will do that. The good news is that my neurologist is going to continue to follow up with me. she is going to see me again 2 weeks after i see the orthosurgeon. She is going to be "in charge" of managing my symptoms. I will not hesitate to let her know if I get new symptoms, get worse or feel we are headed in the wrong direction.
thanks again and I will keep you all posted. Am I still in "Limbo"...I don't know...but hopefully you all won't mind to keep supporting me!? i have appreciated this group so much in the past few months!
Kristin
In the back of my mind, I'm like really?, Really?, this is the casue of ALL my symptoms?? Especially my cognitive issues. She believes that my concentration and memory issues are not caused by my bulge and stenosis but caused from my symptoms/pain. I'm still not so sure...but I want to remain positive and give therapy/tx a shot. I promise I will not jump right into surgery.
Getting other opinions is a great idea and I will do that. The good news is that my neurologist is going to continue to follow up with me. she is going to see me again 2 weeks after i see the orthosurgeon. She is going to be "in charge" of managing my symptoms. I will not hesitate to let her know if I get new symptoms, get worse or feel we are headed in the wrong direction.
thanks again and I will keep you all posted. Am I still in "Limbo"...I don't know...but hopefully you all won't mind to keep supporting me!? i have appreciated this group so much in the past few months!
Kristin
hi kristin,
i don't mean to project my own stuff onto your situation since everyone's experience is unique and her/his own, but i just want to say that i believe it is very wise for you to question everything under the circumstances.
when i had my c-spine MRI in march '09, the neuro told me that the findings were the source of all of my symptoms, even my visual changes, and he recommended PT. i thought it was weird since my herniation was on the right side, and most of my symptoms present on my left. the neuro said with spinal cord compression, symptoms can present on both sides.
i then saw 4 surgeons for opinions based on my concerns about the spinal cord compression--3 neurosurgeons and 1 orthopedic specialist. the ortho and first neurosurgeon (NS) wanted to operate right away, but the other 2 NSs recommended conservative treatment first which we chose to pursue. i did have some improvement of my symptoms as time passed, but they would sort of wax and wane, and my PT kept telling me that what i was experiencing was very atypical for c-spine injuries--especially my visual problems.
after follow up appointments in september with both of the conservative NSs, i had presented with a number of other more bizarre symptoms, and they both agreed that none of them had to do with my c-spine and that i should return to the neurologist. the one NS did want me to schedule surgery though since the c5-6 herniation was a clear problem. i have been so desperate to feel better, i actually scheduled surgery and was supposed to have it done on 3 december. after much discussion, my husband and i then decided that we needed to figure out what else was going on with me before i had such an invasive procedure done, so i canceled the surgery. now we're looking at a possible autoimmune process at play, and i am glad i did not go through with the discectomy at this point.
anyway, i know i have gone on and on here about myself, but what this all boils down to is that i truly hope that your c-spine bulge is the sole cause of your symptoms, and it's likely that it is so; however, i would not hesitate to get a couple of other opinions just so you know for sure.
take good care of yourself.
best wises,
binx
i don't mean to project my own stuff onto your situation since everyone's experience is unique and her/his own, but i just want to say that i believe it is very wise for you to question everything under the circumstances.
when i had my c-spine MRI in march '09, the neuro told me that the findings were the source of all of my symptoms, even my visual changes, and he recommended PT. i thought it was weird since my herniation was on the right side, and most of my symptoms present on my left. the neuro said with spinal cord compression, symptoms can present on both sides.
i then saw 4 surgeons for opinions based on my concerns about the spinal cord compression--3 neurosurgeons and 1 orthopedic specialist. the ortho and first neurosurgeon (NS) wanted to operate right away, but the other 2 NSs recommended conservative treatment first which we chose to pursue. i did have some improvement of my symptoms as time passed, but they would sort of wax and wane, and my PT kept telling me that what i was experiencing was very atypical for c-spine injuries--especially my visual problems.
after follow up appointments in september with both of the conservative NSs, i had presented with a number of other more bizarre symptoms, and they both agreed that none of them had to do with my c-spine and that i should return to the neurologist. the one NS did want me to schedule surgery though since the c5-6 herniation was a clear problem. i have been so desperate to feel better, i actually scheduled surgery and was supposed to have it done on 3 december. after much discussion, my husband and i then decided that we needed to figure out what else was going on with me before i had such an invasive procedure done, so i canceled the surgery. now we're looking at a possible autoimmune process at play, and i am glad i did not go through with the discectomy at this point.
anyway, i know i have gone on and on here about myself, but what this all boils down to is that i truly hope that your c-spine bulge is the sole cause of your symptoms, and it's likely that it is so; however, i would not hesitate to get a couple of other opinions just so you know for sure.
take good care of yourself.
best wises,
binx
How interesting that you both have these same issues as well. I wonder if there are any others on this forum?? But now I am second guessing whether or not this is the source of my problems. Oh well...we shall see! I'll take the B12 and do whatever tx they want me to and see how it goes.
kristin
kristin
Kristin,
Glad to hear that your brain mri is clear! You must feel really relieved...
I have cervical spine issues too. I have degenerative disk disease at c5-c7 ,dextroscoliosis and mild stenosis. Mine is on the milder side too. Although in my case though the doc does not think it's the source of my problems.....
I have had PT on my neck for a cervical strain and it help tremedously. I wish my neck was in traction all the time.....
Have a good weekend..Theresa
Glad to hear that your brain mri is clear! You must feel really relieved...
I have cervical spine issues too. I have degenerative disk disease at c5-c7 ,dextroscoliosis and mild stenosis. Mine is on the milder side too. Although in my case though the doc does not think it's the source of my problems.....
I have had PT on my neck for a cervical strain and it help tremedously. I wish my neck was in traction all the time.....
Have a good weekend..Theresa
My bulge is c5-6. She seemed to think my bulge was fairly moderate and could go into the "severe" side of things. So, she really thought it could go either way as far as whether or not we do surgery right away. My hope is that we will be able to get through with some PT at first. Although she did say she was certain I would need the surgery at some point in my lifetime. I need to check with my insurance about how much PT they will actually cover.
thanks for your response. Hope you are having a good weekend,
Kristin
thanks for your response. Hope you are having a good weekend,
Kristin
hi kristin,
well, that has got to feel good to know that your brain MRI was clear. i am really happy to hear that! i hope you have a great weekend with some weight lifted off of your shoulders.
i also have cervical spine issues--bulges at c3-4, c4-5, c6-7 and a herniation @ c5-6 that is pressing on my spinal cord. my symptoms were originally attributed to the stenosis, and i had even scheduled surgery after PT didn't do much, but then i have also presented with a number of other symptoms that were since found to be unrelated--hence my taking up residence in limboland.
at which level is your bulge?
from what i have learned through my discussions with folks who have "been there" as far as cervical spine injuries go, it is best to pursue conservative treatment (e.g., PT, anti-inflammatory medication) before surgery if possible, but i am sure the ortho will explain all that to you. some docs are anxious to operate right away, but i would follow up with the 2nd opinion neurosurgeon consultation just to get a different perspective regardless.
take good care,
binx
well, that has got to feel good to know that your brain MRI was clear. i am really happy to hear that! i hope you have a great weekend with some weight lifted off of your shoulders.
i also have cervical spine issues--bulges at c3-4, c4-5, c6-7 and a herniation @ c5-6 that is pressing on my spinal cord. my symptoms were originally attributed to the stenosis, and i had even scheduled surgery after PT didn't do much, but then i have also presented with a number of other symptoms that were since found to be unrelated--hence my taking up residence in limboland.
at which level is your bulge?
from what i have learned through my discussions with folks who have "been there" as far as cervical spine injuries go, it is best to pursue conservative treatment (e.g., PT, anti-inflammatory medication) before surgery if possible, but i am sure the ortho will explain all that to you. some docs are anxious to operate right away, but i would follow up with the 2nd opinion neurosurgeon consultation just to get a different perspective regardless.
take good care,
binx
I just got home. My MRI of brain was clear other than an extremely small cyst deep in my brain that she said had been there since birth. She said it was of no medical significance whatsoever.
My MRI of spine showed Cervical Stenosis (narrowing of spine) caused by a moderate bulging disc which is pushing on my spinal cord. she said this was causing my pain, headaches, tingling and burning sensations.
I have a referral to an ortho surgeon in 2 weeks. I will need surgery at some point, but he will determine whether it is sooner or later. They may try Physical Therapy first. Should he choose not to do surgery and I'm still having problems, she will refer me to a neurosurgeon for a 2nd opinion.
she upped my neurontin and will continue to monitor me and help to control my pain.
She is certain my other symptoms are caused by feeling bad and being in pain. I am also on the low side for Vitamin B12.
Thanks for the support!
Kristin
My MRI of spine showed Cervical Stenosis (narrowing of spine) caused by a moderate bulging disc which is pushing on my spinal cord. she said this was causing my pain, headaches, tingling and burning sensations.
I have a referral to an ortho surgeon in 2 weeks. I will need surgery at some point, but he will determine whether it is sooner or later. They may try Physical Therapy first. Should he choose not to do surgery and I'm still having problems, she will refer me to a neurosurgeon for a 2nd opinion.
she upped my neurontin and will continue to monitor me and help to control my pain.
She is certain my other symptoms are caused by feeling bad and being in pain. I am also on the low side for Vitamin B12.
Thanks for the support!
Kristin
kristen,
Good luck today.... I hope you get some answers.....
I know what you mean about looking up stuff on the internet...I try really hard to not do it , but I do it anyway.....
Please Take Care and let us know whats going on.....
Theresa
Good luck today.... I hope you get some answers.....
I know what you mean about looking up stuff on the internet...I try really hard to not do it , but I do it anyway.....
Please Take Care and let us know whats going on.....
Theresa
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