Have you talked to your doctors about the MRI findings? I assume the MRIs you are talking about are after your new symptoms started?
Mass effect means that the 'disc plus spur' is bulging out of its normal position and compressing the spinal cord at that area - to what degree I cannot tell without seeing the MRIs. Compression of this area (left anterior cord) could cause weakness or clumisness of the left arm or leg, and compression of the left sixth nerve root could cause sensory loss or tingling on the lateral surface of the left arm and/or weakness of flexing at the elbow.
If the L5-S1 disc is compressing the right S1 nerve root, this could be causing the right toe numnbess as this is part of the sensory distribution of the S1 root
An EMG if you have not had one yet, may be able to pinpoint where problems are coming from. Otherwise I cannot localize or diagnose your problem without more information
Thank you for your response. I've had 2 neurosurgeons say that I'm not a candidate for spinal surgery-yeah!, as my symptoms do not correspond to the area that is herniated, i.e. no pain down the arm or shoulder and only minimal, occasional pain in my neck. Your response was the same as theirs, so that makes three!--"bowel and bladder dysfunction from a spinal cord problem usually comes togther with motor dysfunction ie weakness and increased reflexes in the legs, than sensory complaints, as these fibers run together in the spinal cord". Neither one felt I had peripheral damage either. I am going to a neurologist tomorrow, and they are going to do the EMG to determine where the problem area is. In 2001, I had an MRI for to look for MS, as my neurologist strongly suspected that was my problem then. However, it was negative. When they found the C6-7 herniation and I had surgery, it cleared up for a time. In 2002, I had symptoms again, and was put on neurontin. It helped so well, I got pregnant again! After the pregnancy, I was fine until the end of 2004. I've had a MAJOR change in my left eye vision within a month of eye testing and my eye doc has also recommended an MRI of the brain. My main complaint was extreme fatigue especially in the early afternoon, weakness and tingling in the legs, and the changes in bladder/bowels with loss of sensation to the stomach and groin. Now, instead of fearing another spinal surgery, I'm worried the original diagnosis was correct and I have MS.