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subtle signs of myelopathy?
Per MRI I have a "mildly focal disc protrusion at right c6-7" "mild concentric disc bulge" at c3-c4 and osteophyte complexes on the c4-c5 to c6-c7 endplates and foramina of c4-c5.
I have neck pain on right side that radiates to left chest and bicep, sometimes further down, sometimes to the right. History of lumbar spine disc degeneration and currently healing from L4-L5 herniation -- so my lower left side and sometimes lower right side have intermittent pain and tingling.
My question: Based on the MRI findings quoted above and the following *mild* symptoms, could this be more serious? And if so, do I see a Neurologist or a Neurosurgeon? NS may be easier to come by where I live.
Worrisome mild symptoms -- all are new in the past 9-12 months:
- Occasional balance problems. Kind of the sensation of just not paying attention and starting to fall over. I can do athletic stuff no problem.
- Difficulty maintaining erection
- Feeling of blurred vision although eye exam is fine. This is very intermittent but notable when it happens, and usually happens connected with neck pain and headache.
- Dizziness -- faint dizziness, correlated with blurred vision.
- Fine motor: I drop small objects that are handed to me; If I have to screw shut a battery compartment on a toy, it might take 5 tries of dropping the screw.
I began taking lithium and buproprion about 6 months before I noticed these things and attributed the symptoms to the medication, although psychiatrist doesn't think they are related. I had a fall and concussion 10 years back.
I got the MR report from the facility, don't see doctor for a week. Thanks in advance, really appreciate it!
I have neck pain on right side that radiates to left chest and bicep, sometimes further down, sometimes to the right. History of lumbar spine disc degeneration and currently healing from L4-L5 herniation -- so my lower left side and sometimes lower right side have intermittent pain and tingling.
My question: Based on the MRI findings quoted above and the following *mild* symptoms, could this be more serious? And if so, do I see a Neurologist or a Neurosurgeon? NS may be easier to come by where I live.
Worrisome mild symptoms -- all are new in the past 9-12 months:
- Occasional balance problems. Kind of the sensation of just not paying attention and starting to fall over. I can do athletic stuff no problem.
- Difficulty maintaining erection
- Feeling of blurred vision although eye exam is fine. This is very intermittent but notable when it happens, and usually happens connected with neck pain and headache.
- Dizziness -- faint dizziness, correlated with blurred vision.
- Fine motor: I drop small objects that are handed to me; If I have to screw shut a battery compartment on a toy, it might take 5 tries of dropping the screw.
I began taking lithium and buproprion about 6 months before I noticed these things and attributed the symptoms to the medication, although psychiatrist doesn't think they are related. I had a fall and concussion 10 years back.
I got the MR report from the facility, don't see doctor for a week. Thanks in advance, really appreciate it!
Wow, that is a sobering story. How awful that it wasn't seen initially but could be seen in retrospect. Thank you for sharing this experience.
From my reading, it does sound like cervical myelopathy can present as very subtle symptoms at first. I'm happy to have an appointment this week to review the situation with my doctor.
From my reading, it does sound like cervical myelopathy can present as very subtle symptoms at first. I'm happy to have an appointment this week to review the situation with my doctor.
This is how my problem started. Same symptoms but with added L'Hermittes as well.
Repeated MRIs over a period of a year showed demyelination of the spinal cord with some brain white matter lesions. I also had the disc bulge thing which turned out to be just incidental. First and second MRI reports said normal besides the disc problem. After the subsequent MRIs showed demyelination they went back and looked at the first MRs and in hindsight they could see subtle demyelination.
Anyway the cause turned out to be copper deficiency. Unfortunately because the first and second MRI reports were basically normal, I didn't receive any further investigation or treatments until I was unable to walk and then it was too late. I am now permanently disabled.
Lesson learnt:: what you are feeling is real, don't be talked into believing that it's stress/anxiety.
Repeated MRIs over a period of a year showed demyelination of the spinal cord with some brain white matter lesions. I also had the disc bulge thing which turned out to be just incidental. First and second MRI reports said normal besides the disc problem. After the subsequent MRIs showed demyelination they went back and looked at the first MRs and in hindsight they could see subtle demyelination.
Anyway the cause turned out to be copper deficiency. Unfortunately because the first and second MRI reports were basically normal, I didn't receive any further investigation or treatments until I was unable to walk and then it was too late. I am now permanently disabled.
Lesson learnt:: what you are feeling is real, don't be talked into believing that it's stress/anxiety.
I understand what you are saying. I just don't like the idea of people getting stuck on medications they don't need or medications they might need but not the right one's.The caution is a good one, to anyone reading, he is right. It's not that I think you (or him to whoever is reading) should stop it, but more of putting it down to the doctor so that they take you seriously.
By the way George, you are incredibly intelligent...............and I am not saying that in a mocking way...................
By the way George, you are incredibly intelligent...............and I am not saying that in a mocking way...................
Hello, thanks for taking the time to reply.
I'm confident about my treatment on the mental health front. The MR findings and the other symptoms (radicular pain) are consistent with nerve involvement, which lead me to ask whether the additional symptoms (especially manual dexterity and balance) warrant a more aggressive approach to ruling out myelopathy. They are so subtle, but are definitely new.
I would advise anyone to be extraordinarily cautious about suggesting to a psych patient that they should consider discontinuing medications. After the problem with diagnosing psych illlness, adherence to treatment is the next major hurdle. And yes, stopping Lithium abrubtly could be disastrous. I know you didn't suggest that, I just want to be crystal clear to others who might find this thread in the future.
George
I'm confident about my treatment on the mental health front. The MR findings and the other symptoms (radicular pain) are consistent with nerve involvement, which lead me to ask whether the additional symptoms (especially manual dexterity and balance) warrant a more aggressive approach to ruling out myelopathy. They are so subtle, but are definitely new.
I would advise anyone to be extraordinarily cautious about suggesting to a psych patient that they should consider discontinuing medications. After the problem with diagnosing psych illlness, adherence to treatment is the next major hurdle. And yes, stopping Lithium abrubtly could be disastrous. I know you didn't suggest that, I just want to be crystal clear to others who might find this thread in the future.
George
Here is the thing, I don't know your reason/s that you are going to a psychiatrist and it might be personal, but I do know one thing from personal experience, a therapist IF possible can help you out. Lithium is a medication they wanted to give me when I was 14. I am of course in no way suggesting that you stop taking it, that is not medically wise. I am just saying that if you are telling your psychiatrist that these symptoms started after you started your medications and the psychiatrist is saying they are not related, it might be time to either A: tell the psychiatrist that you WANT to be taken off the medication (I think lithium is one of the medications you have to taper off of, I would NOT recommend just stopping, your other medication most likely is the same) and after safely discontinuing your medications find a therapist or B: Let your psychiatrist know that if they cannot take your claims seriously and that you KNOW the symptoms started after you started the medications that it's time you find another psychiatrist.
When I had DP and DR with anxiety/panic disorders I went to a therapist first, she was able to solve the problem without medications. If a therapist cannot help you and you do NEED medication/s then the therapist will refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist. It might be the way you would like to try instead of taking medications that very well could be causing your symptoms and being ignored when you KNOW something.
I FULLY understand that it's a personal choice and that a psychiatrist knows far more than I do about medications and or your specific problem/s. I also know fully that sometimes people can get a WRONG psychiatrist. It just throws up red flags when a person tries to tell a doctor of any kind something and it's dismissed or not thuroughly considered.
Your symptoms do not sound like a result of your physical pain, but more of side effects from medication/s.
At most, please at least let your psychiatrist know that you KNOW these symptoms started after you started the medications and you do not like it or appreciate him/her dismissing what is going on.
Personally, I suggest safely discontinuing the medications and finding a therapist.
When I had DP and DR with anxiety/panic disorders I went to a therapist first, she was able to solve the problem without medications. If a therapist cannot help you and you do NEED medication/s then the therapist will refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist. It might be the way you would like to try instead of taking medications that very well could be causing your symptoms and being ignored when you KNOW something.
I FULLY understand that it's a personal choice and that a psychiatrist knows far more than I do about medications and or your specific problem/s. I also know fully that sometimes people can get a WRONG psychiatrist. It just throws up red flags when a person tries to tell a doctor of any kind something and it's dismissed or not thuroughly considered.
Your symptoms do not sound like a result of your physical pain, but more of side effects from medication/s.
At most, please at least let your psychiatrist know that you KNOW these symptoms started after you started the medications and you do not like it or appreciate him/her dismissing what is going on.
Personally, I suggest safely discontinuing the medications and finding a therapist.
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