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FIBROMYALGIA/Back pain???
Hello,
I introduce myself as Surbhi Jain. I am 25 years old, female from Kolkata, India. By profession, I am a CA and working as a Direct Tax Consultant. I wake up at 7.00 am, then leave for office by 8.30 am and come back home by 8.30 pm. My work includes mostly sitting infront of desktop computer for around 7-8 hours per day except on Saturday and Sunday. I sleep at around 12.30 am. I do household work like cooking, cleaning etc on Saturday and Sunday.
Health Problem – I had this typical pain on the right side of neck-shoulder joint (on the back side) in the month of March, 2007. It was not much of a problem and little bit pain was there. I visited a doctor in April, 2007 and he gave me injection on the affected area. I was relieved of pain immediately but it came again after 1-2 months. But this time, I ignored it but it was not troubling me that much. Then I got married in the month of Feb, 2008. As an Indian Bride, I was also wearing lot of jewellery and that included “BANGLES” as well. Now something new started, the pain grew on me and entire right hand was in mess. Even a single bangle was like a mountain on my right hand. The pain started to affect my entire right body including my head, neck, leg, thigh, hip and hand as well. In the mean time, I consulted an Orthopedic who gave me 10 injections of Vitamin B and told me that I am suffering from “FIBROMYALGIA”. I took 20 sessions of physiotherapy which included IFT and US therapy. He asked me not to take too much stress, sleep properly and so on. There after I tried to follow what ever he said but pain was still there and was getting worst day by day. So I consulted one more doctor who initially told me after a MRI that it’s a slip disc and he suggested me few exercises. I did it for two months and again visited him, and then he told me that I am born with this kind of bone structure and that he cannot help me in anyway. He suggested that he can give me one injection which would numb (basically a state of no sense) the affected area for around a year. Then he suggested me to visit a healer. I visited her, and she suggested me that 5-10 sessions would be required to heal me completely. The procedure includes some needling, injections and some therapy using sophisticated machines/equipments. I am yet to take any sessions and totally confused. Pain is still the same and life is getting hell.
Please help me and guide me.
I introduce myself as Surbhi Jain. I am 25 years old, female from Kolkata, India. By profession, I am a CA and working as a Direct Tax Consultant. I wake up at 7.00 am, then leave for office by 8.30 am and come back home by 8.30 pm. My work includes mostly sitting infront of desktop computer for around 7-8 hours per day except on Saturday and Sunday. I sleep at around 12.30 am. I do household work like cooking, cleaning etc on Saturday and Sunday.
Health Problem – I had this typical pain on the right side of neck-shoulder joint (on the back side) in the month of March, 2007. It was not much of a problem and little bit pain was there. I visited a doctor in April, 2007 and he gave me injection on the affected area. I was relieved of pain immediately but it came again after 1-2 months. But this time, I ignored it but it was not troubling me that much. Then I got married in the month of Feb, 2008. As an Indian Bride, I was also wearing lot of jewellery and that included “BANGLES” as well. Now something new started, the pain grew on me and entire right hand was in mess. Even a single bangle was like a mountain on my right hand. The pain started to affect my entire right body including my head, neck, leg, thigh, hip and hand as well. In the mean time, I consulted an Orthopedic who gave me 10 injections of Vitamin B and told me that I am suffering from “FIBROMYALGIA”. I took 20 sessions of physiotherapy which included IFT and US therapy. He asked me not to take too much stress, sleep properly and so on. There after I tried to follow what ever he said but pain was still there and was getting worst day by day. So I consulted one more doctor who initially told me after a MRI that it’s a slip disc and he suggested me few exercises. I did it for two months and again visited him, and then he told me that I am born with this kind of bone structure and that he cannot help me in anyway. He suggested that he can give me one injection which would numb (basically a state of no sense) the affected area for around a year. Then he suggested me to visit a healer. I visited her, and she suggested me that 5-10 sessions would be required to heal me completely. The procedure includes some needling, injections and some therapy using sophisticated machines/equipments. I am yet to take any sessions and totally confused. Pain is still the same and life is getting hell.
Please help me and guide me.
The findings on your MRI do contain significant changes which could be related to your current symptoms.
The congenital block or "fusing" of your C6-C7 vertebrae indicates that at this level you do not have the usual intervertebral disc that cushions our spine with movement. The fact that they are seen as a block indicates that no significant movement of the bones themselves can be seen, so this is not a major problem.
There are mild degenerative changes of the vertebrae at the C5 level. There is a disc herniation (protrusion of the intervertebral disc from its outer protective covering) that is causing mild pressure (indenting) on the thecal sac (outer covering of the spinal cord), but the cord itself is not being significantly compressed. The C6 nerve root which is passing from the spinal cord through the opening leading to the extremities (neural foramen) is also showing some mild compression. All other levels of the cervical spine are normal.
The central canal (opening through which the spinal cord travels) is narrowed (stenosis) by this herniation. All of your symptoms can be related to these conditions.
The fact that the conservative treatment you have tried thus far has not proven effective, the doctor is suggesting a nerve block to reduce the inflammation and provide analgesia in the area to reduce/relieve your pain. It could be effective and might be appropriate depending on the severity and progression of your symptoms.
If you feel comfortable with this physician you can discuss this option further and inquire regarding treatment options available should this method not be effective. It may indicate the need for surgical intervention as your symptoms have been present for almost 2 yrs. A second opinion from a board certified neurosurgeon is always an option to pursue.
Keep me informed ---.
The congenital block or "fusing" of your C6-C7 vertebrae indicates that at this level you do not have the usual intervertebral disc that cushions our spine with movement. The fact that they are seen as a block indicates that no significant movement of the bones themselves can be seen, so this is not a major problem.
There are mild degenerative changes of the vertebrae at the C5 level. There is a disc herniation (protrusion of the intervertebral disc from its outer protective covering) that is causing mild pressure (indenting) on the thecal sac (outer covering of the spinal cord), but the cord itself is not being significantly compressed. The C6 nerve root which is passing from the spinal cord through the opening leading to the extremities (neural foramen) is also showing some mild compression. All other levels of the cervical spine are normal.
The central canal (opening through which the spinal cord travels) is narrowed (stenosis) by this herniation. All of your symptoms can be related to these conditions.
The fact that the conservative treatment you have tried thus far has not proven effective, the doctor is suggesting a nerve block to reduce the inflammation and provide analgesia in the area to reduce/relieve your pain. It could be effective and might be appropriate depending on the severity and progression of your symptoms.
If you feel comfortable with this physician you can discuss this option further and inquire regarding treatment options available should this method not be effective. It may indicate the need for surgical intervention as your symptoms have been present for almost 2 yrs. A second opinion from a board certified neurosurgeon is always an option to pursue.
Keep me informed ---.
MRI History
I would like to thank you for replying. My MRI report details are as under:
History: Neck pain radiating to right upper limb.
Parameters: FSE T1, T2 & STIR sagittal images of the cervical spine followed by FSE T2 weighted coronal & gradient echo T2 weighted transverse sections with slice thickness of 4 mm. & 3 mm.
Findings: There is evidence of congenital block vertebrae at C6-C7 level with mild degenerative changes in endplates of C5. Height, alignment and marrow signals of cervical vertebrae are otherwise normal.
Inter-vertebral disc at C5-C6 shows hypointensity in T2 weighted images with postero-lateral disc herniation indenting the thecal sac without compression on the cord but with encroachment on left C6 nerve root in the neural foramen. Inter-vertebral discs at C2-C3, C3-C4, C4-C5 & C7-D1 are normal. No pre-vertebral or para-vertebral soft tissue mass in seen. AP diameters of the cervical spinal canal at the level of inter vertebral discs are: C2-C3: 1.2 cm, C3-C4: 1.2 cm, C4-C5: 1.1 cm, C5-C6: 1.0 cm, C6-C7: 1.3 cm , C7-D1: 1.2 cm.
Impression: The above findings are suggestive of congenital block vertebrae at C6-C7 level with degenerative changes in C5-C6 disc. Postero-lateral disc herniation at C5-C6 is indenting the thecal sec and compression or central canal stenosis.
I would like to thank you for replying. My MRI report details are as under:
History: Neck pain radiating to right upper limb.
Parameters: FSE T1, T2 & STIR sagittal images of the cervical spine followed by FSE T2 weighted coronal & gradient echo T2 weighted transverse sections with slice thickness of 4 mm. & 3 mm.
Findings: There is evidence of congenital block vertebrae at C6-C7 level with mild degenerative changes in endplates of C5. Height, alignment and marrow signals of cervical vertebrae are otherwise normal.
Inter-vertebral disc at C5-C6 shows hypointensity in T2 weighted images with postero-lateral disc herniation indenting the thecal sac without compression on the cord but with encroachment on left C6 nerve root in the neural foramen. Inter-vertebral discs at C2-C3, C3-C4, C4-C5 & C7-D1 are normal. No pre-vertebral or para-vertebral soft tissue mass in seen. AP diameters of the cervical spinal canal at the level of inter vertebral discs are: C2-C3: 1.2 cm, C3-C4: 1.2 cm, C4-C5: 1.1 cm, C5-C6: 1.0 cm, C6-C7: 1.3 cm , C7-D1: 1.2 cm.
Impression: The above findings are suggestive of congenital block vertebrae at C6-C7 level with degenerative changes in C5-C6 disc. Postero-lateral disc herniation at C5-C6 is indenting the thecal sec and compression or central canal stenosis.
Welcome to the Back and Neck Community. Members are here to provide assistance and support to individuals experiencing symptoms related to possible abnormal conditions of the spine. Advice given is non-professional and is primarily based on personal experiences.
I am sorry to hear of your continued health problems. It is apparent that you have sought medical treatment from several sources without significant relief. I can only address the issues of your "slipped disc". If this is referring to a herniated disc in your cervical spine, it could be the source of your pain. It depends primarily on how the disc is affecting the spinal nerve roots that supply the various parts of the body including the neck, shoulder, arm etc. There are other contributing factors that may also be involved, including vertebral body changes such as bone spurs or shifts in disc height producing stenosis (narrowing) of the openings through which the spinal cord and the spinal nerve roots travel.
The fact that your work is also labor intensive in using the neck and arms with computer work may be an associated factor. It is difficult to assess without knowing the exact clinical findings of your MRI.
While the last doctor you consulted stated that the problem was related to your genetic bone structure, it might be advantageous to seek a consultation with an orthopedic spine specialist and/or neurosurgeon. These doctors are more skilled in interpreting MRI films and may have other treatment options to offer.
The services offered by the healer may not be directed at correcting the underlying problems, but could provide some comfort measures. The fact that the previous conservative treatment failed to relieve your symptoms would tend to discount the potential value of pursuing this approach.
I do not know the medical community as it exists in India or whether you have the option of seeking a specialist consultation, but that is the primary suggestion that I would recommend.
If you have more specific clinical findings such as the MRI report that you can post, it might help in determining the direction you should pursue.
Please post again with an update and any additional questions/concerns you may have.
Best wishes -----
I am sorry to hear of your continued health problems. It is apparent that you have sought medical treatment from several sources without significant relief. I can only address the issues of your "slipped disc". If this is referring to a herniated disc in your cervical spine, it could be the source of your pain. It depends primarily on how the disc is affecting the spinal nerve roots that supply the various parts of the body including the neck, shoulder, arm etc. There are other contributing factors that may also be involved, including vertebral body changes such as bone spurs or shifts in disc height producing stenosis (narrowing) of the openings through which the spinal cord and the spinal nerve roots travel.
The fact that your work is also labor intensive in using the neck and arms with computer work may be an associated factor. It is difficult to assess without knowing the exact clinical findings of your MRI.
While the last doctor you consulted stated that the problem was related to your genetic bone structure, it might be advantageous to seek a consultation with an orthopedic spine specialist and/or neurosurgeon. These doctors are more skilled in interpreting MRI films and may have other treatment options to offer.
The services offered by the healer may not be directed at correcting the underlying problems, but could provide some comfort measures. The fact that the previous conservative treatment failed to relieve your symptoms would tend to discount the potential value of pursuing this approach.
I do not know the medical community as it exists in India or whether you have the option of seeking a specialist consultation, but that is the primary suggestion that I would recommend.
If you have more specific clinical findings such as the MRI report that you can post, it might help in determining the direction you should pursue.
Please post again with an update and any additional questions/concerns you may have.
Best wishes -----
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