Is my spine issues causing my symptoms?
I have a lot of issues with my spine and I recently went to a neurologist and he told me there is absolutely nothing wrong with me and it's all in my head. He told me to lose 5 lbs and get on anti depressants. I know there is something wrong with me and am going on a year now. I am a 48 year old female. Any guidance?? I am getting really discouraged.
Symptoms-
*severe Burning left thigh, Weakness.
*Right leg is numb, Weakness and right thigh is starting to burn, shin hurts
*Lumbar Back Pain, Pins and needles, Tingling
*Thorasic Back Pain
*Neck Pain, Burning, Tingling
*Arms are weak and ache
*Hands - Pins and needles
*Can barely walk and arms are very weak, I am in a wheelchair for any distance
*Internal tremors
*Brain Fog
Spine MRI Results-
-Mild Curvature of lumbar spine
-Multilevel DDD at L3,L4,L5 Modic type 1 change at L4-L5
-L1-L2 Mild Broad Based Bulge
-L2-L3 Mild Broad Based Bulge
-L3-L4 Right Paracentral Inferior disc extrusion measuring 1.3cm CC on a background of broad based bulge measuring 0.5 cm AP, along with mild facet arthropathy, causing mild to moderate right lateral recess narrowing, contacting the descending right L4 nerve root.
-L4-L5 Broad based bulge measuring up to .6 cm AP in the left paracentral location, along with minimal facet arthropathy, causing moderate right and moderate to severe left foraminal narrowing.
-L5-S1 Small central inferior disc extrusion measuring 1.1 cm CC, on a background of broad-based bulge measuring 0.5 cm AP, along with mild facet arthropathy, causing mild to moderate left foraminal narrowing.
-C2-C3 mild DDD
-C3-C5 moderate DDD
-C5-C6 moderate DDD with a broad based posterior protrusion which effaces the ventral thecal sac & contacts the ventral cord
-C6-C7 moderate DDD
There appears to be a ventral T2 hyperintense epidural fluid collection at the cervical thoracic junction which is present up to the level of approximately the T2 vertebral body. No pulsation
artifact is present within the fluid collection.
T1-2: 1 mm disc bulge without spinal canal or neural foramen stenosis.
T2-3: 1 mm disc bulge without spinal canal or neural foramen stenosis.
T3-4: 1 mm disc bulge without spinal canal or neural foramen stenosis.
T4-5: Inferiorly migrated disc extrusion at T4-5 measuring 5 mm coronal caudad by 2 mm AP. Trace spinal canal
stenosis without neural foramen stenosis.
T5-6: Inferiorly migrated disc extrusion at T5/6 measuring 5 mm craniocaudad by 2 mm AP. Trace spinal canal
stenosis without neural foramen stenosis.
T6-7: 1 mm central disc protrusion without spinal canal or neural foramen stenosis.
Central extradural/epidural fluid collection within the spinal canal at the cervical thoracic junction, unclear if this
is related to a CSF leak or other cause. This extends up to the level of T2 vertebrae.
Brain MRI Results-
The ventricles and sulci are normal in size. There are a few scattered small foci of T2 signal prolongation within the
subcortical and deep white matter of the brain. The cerebellar tonsils are in normal position. There are no masses,
mass effect or midline shift within limitations of non contrast technique. The pituitary gland is normal in size. There
is no MRI evidence for acute intracranial hemorrhage or acute cerebral, brainstem or cerebellar infarction.
No diffusion-weighted abnormalities are identified. There is no MRI evidence for extra-axial fluid collections or
subdural hematomas. Flow voids are present within the major vessels indicating patency. The paranasal sinuses
are clear. The mastoid air cells are clear. The bilateral orbits are within normal limits. The bony calvarium and scalp
soft tissues are normal.
Any thoughts? suggestions??
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@charliesophiedaisyro, I agree (of course) that spinal care at Mayo Clinic in Rochester is excellent. One small correction. Mayo Clinic spine care experts offer comprehensive, personalized services at all Mayo Clinic locations in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and in some locations of the Mayo Clinc Health System in the mid-west region.
Here is more info about Spine Care at Mayo Clinic
https://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/spine-care/sections/overview/ovc-20426369
I hope you are able to get excellent care closer to home in NC. But, you know how to reach Mayo should that be your choice for your current needs. 🙂
Note: I called the Mayo Clinic in Florida and was told by someone in the Spine Care Clinic that their facility did not do spine surgery. The person I spoke to referred me to the Clinic in Rochester. Professional clarification on the correction to my post, please.
Thanks, @charliesophiedaisyro. It is possible that Mayo Clinic in Florida does not perform the spine surgery that is needed in your situation.
There are surgeons in Jacksonville, Florida specializing in spinal care, including surgeries like Robotic spine surgery, Minimally invasive spine surgery, Revision spinal surgery, Spinal cord injury, Scoliosis, Spinal tumor, Sacrectomy, Robotic spine surgery, Spondylolisthesis surgery, Minimally invasive cancer surgery , Minimally invasive lumbar decompression, Minimally invasive lumbar spinal fusion, Minimally invasive spinal fusion, and more.
See the specialty areas of Jacksonville Mayo experts listed here:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/spine-care/sections/doctors/drc-20426386?locations=Jacksonville%2C%20FL#9f586ff3a6124d46a257480316484847
.
I'm confident, @charliesophiedaisyro, that the information you received is correct in your case and you were right to call directly. For others reading this discussion, it is best to inquire. Spine Care is available at all Mayo Clinic locations.