Back MRI results still not relevant

[chalmbiz]

Quick review of my symptoms (started about 8 weeks ago)
- left sided chest pain
- left arm and leg weakness, numbness and tingling
- dizziness, fatigue and episodes of blacking out on neck extension
- tongue and lip numbness.
I have also had a laminectomy L4/5, L5/S1 in 1993 due to total foot drop.
Had MRI head to rule out MS.
MRI: C & T
Report: There is straightening of the usual uppe cervical lordosis. Alignment of the remaining cevical and thoracic spine is otherwise satisfactory. There is a diffuse loss of the usual marrow signal most likely due to red marrow replacement. It would be useful to assess if there is a history of smoking. (I have never in my life smoked).
There is a mild left foraminal disc protrusion at C4/5 but this is not causing significant foraminal stenosis. There is a mild central disc protrusion at C5/6 not causing significant canal stenosis.
There is a mild right paracental disc protusion at C6/7 not causing significant canal or formaminal stenosis.
Thoracic spine, there is a mild right central disc protusion at T1/2 which is only mildly indenting the thecal sac. There is a mild left paracentral disc protrusion at T6/7 which is mildly indenting the thecal sac and the anterior cord, but there is still adequate CSF space seen posteior to it.

Comment: Mild degenerative changes as described with no definite neural impingement.

MRI LUMBAR SPINE

Findings: There is a reduction in the disc space height at L4/5, L5/S1 and disc dehydration at these levels.
At L4/5 there is a small posterior central and left paracentral disc protrusion with some mild compression on the anterior thecal sac.
At L5/S1, no disc lesion is seen.
Comment: Although there is a small posterior central and left paracentral disc protrusion at L4/5, there is no evidence of compression of the left nerve root in its lateral recess or other evidence of neural element comprimise.

My DR wasnt concerned.

[chalmbiz]

Thankyou for your help. I was thinking along the lines of vascular as well, however it is so hard to get anyone to listen to me they are starting to say my symptoms are psychosomatic. Which along those lines I am seeing a hypnotherapist and put myself on a herbal supplement just covering that base.
I ran out of word space last time and wanted to add that I have actually found a lump in my R subscapular region it is around 6cm x 6cm (my own measurements) it is moveable to some degee not really tender but to me it feels hard. Feels like in the muscle.
I did show my GP but he was not concerned said prob a lipoma which I know are a common benign tumour that do tend to originate in that area. Apparently nothing at all to do with my current symptoms.

So am a little concerned myself with the "marrow replacement" however doctors I have seen so far dont even read that they just read the MRI comment only and say I am a medical mystery.

My symptoms are really affecting my quality of life and with 7 children they should not need to grow up seeing there once extremely healthy active mother totally floored it breaks my heart.
I also run my own naturopathic clinic hense why I am probrably not the best patient as I research everything. I am also an RN. I know in my heart what is going on and unfortunatly I know this time I need medical intervention of some sort but even as a ND I am still very limited in what tests are covered and who I can refer myself to here in Australia. I only wish that more Drs would network with complimentary medical practitioners for the patients sake. Having said all of that I am no expert especially with the spine hence why I posted in your forum.

My thoughts were from the beginning was either TIA or 'wallenburgs syndrome' because after I do have the episodes of blacking out on head extension I am unable to focus my eyes they constantly twitch or I cant look to either side for days and I sleep costantly. Now I have found the lump I just have my fingers crossed its benign cause if not I think we both know what is going on and why I am sick I just dont want to contemplate it yet nor say it.

What diagnostics should I suggest to my neuro? (if I get the courage) he sort of mocked the way I was walking the last time I saw him (My L knee gives because my foot is numb and thigh is weak) he said I need more stength to walk the way I do but trus me no matter how hard I try thats just how I have now walked for 8weeks. Also too so I can be thoughouhly researched on the tests so I do have some come back for him. I am not in the city anymore so the specialists where I live are so limited like 1 neuro etc.

I am ready to tackle what ever this is if it is the unmentionable it isnt taking me without a fight and I will win.

I thankyou so much for reading it for me you dont know how much a few suggestions really helps people in knowing that there are doctors who are there to help.

I do have my cervical and thoracic MRI on disc If that helps.

Cheers

[Charles Rosen, MD]

Dear Chalmbiz,

You need to see a neurologist to ***** for vascular problems in either the carotids or vertebral arteries if in fact your cervical MRI is not showing anything.  (I would find our more about this “marrow replacement” however.

Radiology reports don’t reflect often an understanding of the MRI in clinical terms.  You should request to see a spine specialist to get a diagnosis.  You don’t have one.

I hope that helps.

Thanks,
Dr. Charles Rosen