PAIN

[Johnny262]

Hi I am a 26yr old guy with a lot of pain. I have had back pain since I was a teenager but the last 2 months have been terriable. The pain started in the mid to lower part of my back. At first, it was just a dull acky pain but then it started radiating down my left leg. I went to the hospital and they gave me steriods and pain meds. Now the have electrical type pain in my upper back and and neck. The pain is worse around my shoulder blades. Yesterday my legs and arms started getting numb and tingly and I am getting sharp pains coming across my stomach. I am getting a 3 part MRI today. Any thoughts? Advise?

Thanks

[fairylady77]

i cant help you with every detail...but can help you as much as possible. you have 2 discs that has slipped out of place..(meaning of protrusion)..

Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is part of the natural process of growing older. The older we get, we lose  disc flexibility, elasticity, and shock absorbing characteristics. The ligaments that surround the disc called the annulus fibrosis, become brittle and they are more easily torn. So its just a natural part of aging.

stenosis is......stenosis causes narrowing in your spine. The narrowing can occur at the center of your spine, in.... Spinal stenosis occurs mostly in people older than 50. Younger people with a spine injury or a narrow spinal canal are also at risk.

Mild lumbar facet arthropathy. ----the dreaded word....arthritis!

[Johnny262]

Please help me understand my MRI results:

C4-5 Broad based central disc protrusion indents the ventral thecal sac with disc material abutting the ventral surface of the cord. Mild spinal stenosis with AP diameter of the canal measuring 10.0 mm. Ample CSF space is preserved sorsal to the cord. There is no neural foraminal stenosis.

Impression: 1 Small broad based disc protrusion at C4-5 with mild spina stenosis as described.

Report: Included images of the cervical spine demonstrate mild degenerative disc disease at C4-5

T5-6 Small right paracentral disc protrusion indents the right ventral half of the cord. No significant spinal stenosis or neural foraminal stenosis.

The Lumbar spine without contrast - No significant lumbar spinal stenosis. Mild lumbar facet arthropathy.

According to the MRI report the rest of the spine seems fine.

Any thoughts?

[fairylady77]

well good luck and let us know whats wrong. we all know what you mean...drs do not understand the pain...because NO ONE can understand it, until they have gone through it.

[Johnny262]

Thanks for the advise. I got my MRI done today. They did one of my neck, mid back, and lower back. They said the results will be in Monday and my doctor should have it Tuesday. I saw my dr. this past Monday 4-7-08 he gave me a steriod does pack, Lortab 7.5/500mg, and Flexeral 10mg. The meds do help but I am still in pain around the clock. It's hard to sleep at night. I don't want to ask for something else bc I am afraid that he will think I am just trying to get the pills.

Thanks

[fairylady77]

i wouldnt be a bit shocked to hear that you have discs pressing on nerves. it will take time for your dr to get the report, the call you with the results, and they sometimes even wait to tell you the results at a follow up appt. so i would call the place that done your MRI and tell them that you would like to get a copy of the MRI report...the typed up report. that way you can read the findings yourself, and if you have any questions, you can post the findings on here so that we can possibly interpret the results for you.