severe multi level cervical issues and severe S1 changes

Posted by janagain @janagain, May 5, 2024

CAT SCAN CERVICAL w/o CONTRAST 3-22-2024

Document info Result type: CT Spine Cervical w/o Contrast Result date: Mar 22, 2024, 09:45 a.m. Result status: authenticated CT Spine Cervical w/o Contrast
FINDINGS: There is anterior cervical fusion hardware present at C5-6. There is no fracture or focal alignment abnormality involving the cervical spine. The vertebral body heights are maintained. There is severe disc space narrowing present at C6-7 with endplate ossified formation. Hypertrophic changes of facet joints bilaterally. There is no prevertebral soft tissue swelling
IMPRESSION NO FRACTURE OF THE CERVICAL SPINE. DEGENERATIVE CHANGES AS ABOVE. DISC BULGE PRESENT AT C3-4 IS BETTER SEEN ON MRI 3/21/2024. 3/22/2024 9:53 AM
I was admitted to the hospital after getting an MRI of my ;umbar/sacral area and cervical. I was experiencing arm weakness, unstable and had a couple of falls. pins and needles in right shoulder and with my arm straight out in front of me, I can NOT turn my left hand palm up. I knew that I have problems with L4-5 and S-1 are severe. I've had daily pain for months from that. The doctors have told me it's osteoarthritis.
Surgery in 01-30-2017 XLIF L4-L5 with lateral plate to RIGHT laminectomy L3-L4, L4-L5Lumbar Stenosis , fusion 4-5, posterior decompression Lumbar Left to right. Translateral interbodies . Fusion 4-5
02-14-2017 Surgery: Repair broken pedicle screw sitting on nerve Lumbar 3-5 Lamenectomy
08-21-2018 Went to the ER with acute bilateral low back pain with sciatica laterally unspecified MRI Lumbar degenerative disc disease
09-19-2018 Surgery: Rods and pins
It was a nightmare. I did recover and was feeling pretty good until over the past couple of years, I'm experiencing radiculopathy down the back of both legs due to adjacent segmented bone disease.
This is what I have been focusing on and after my recent visit to the ER last March, I not only have lumbar pain but also major cervical disc issues. Which one do I deal with first? My pain management doctor told me if I were to get in a car accident such as being rear ended , it would be "catastrophic". Hearing that , I tried to contact my Neurosurgeon and it took me a couple of weeks for a response. He moved my appt up from July to June. Do I wait until June? I really need advice on this .
I was recently told that I have a 4.3 aortic aneurysm. They ruled out a stroke after a cat scan of my brain. I have white spots on my brain.
I'm looking at a very extensive multi level cervical surgery. And I'm diabetic. What will life be like after I my neck is fused together. My passion is playing piano, will I be able to do that after the fusion? I know this is a lot of info to take in, any advice?

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Well .. I'm back from the appt with my primary doctor. She listened to my story and felt really bad for me that my journey into the doctors of Neurosurgery wasn't going so well. She did refer me to a Neurosurgeon that has very high Healthgrades ratings. (thanks for that tip) Patients wrote very positively on his review. 2 could not tolerate him for one reason or another and I expect that everyones experiences differ even if he is a great doctor. That appointment is just a few days away. With the information you suggested, I'll question his experiences with invasive decompression and artificial disc surgery. After this appt , I'll meet up with my pain management doctor and get another referral. I hope to be in surgery soon and on my way to recovery. I'm think, not sure, that they are planning on doing this surgery posterior vs. anterior. Although one mentioned that they do both, I'll know more in a few days. Again, thank you for all the information you've given me. I'll will definitly report back as I go along this journey. -Jan

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@janagain
Hi Jennifer, I was just reading your post and listening to Paul Huttlingers beautiful music. I turn it up and it's so good for the soul. I cannot believe I'm reliving the past from 2 years ago. All the feelings have come back again and I'm terrified but ready. Anxious but meditating to beautiful music, Fearful and that part I let go to the big man upstairs. I'm looking forward to PT (can you believe that?!) I know that is such an important part of the recovery. I am , "Staying busy will help you pass the time as you wait and give you something positive to focus on."(Jennifer) you gave me the best advice and this one really worked for me. I'm making another baby quilt and it keeps me very busy. I'm getting ready to play a gig on November 8th at a community function here in Fallbrook. I've been going over the music and getting every note just perfect. I don't always play perfect but, I strive for my best. And it really keeps my fingers moving. I may send a video when I get it, It is good for the soul to share our wonderful experiences to give hope to other people as they have given me.
As Bob Seger says, ..."Here I am again, up on the stage". Here I go, playing star again. There I go, turn the page....."
-Janagain

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