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Excruciating chronic left side neck pain plus lumbar issues
Spine Health | Last Active: Nov 18, 2023 | Replies (360)Comment receiving replies
Alfred, I didn't mean all cervical 4 levels, multi level is usually maybe 2, possibly 3 levels. A good neurosurgeon may want to see the images not just the report, so get a disc of your images from the MRI office to take to your appt.
You would have to ask the surgeon about laminoplasty, but I don't think that would work for retrolithesis and spondylothesis. I hope you have researched those terms.
The injections didn't cause this. Over adjustments and too frequently by a chiro or osteopath can cause issues. Continuing to exercise too hard and ride your bike with your condition could have caused this. Perhaps the first MRI was not with contrast and the second MRI used contrast dye to highlite the problems better? Was it the same machine? Did they use a new stronger MRI 3T machines like they have at Mayo. The benefit of pain relief from the meds to me outweighs the side effects at this point. Pain breeds more pain, you have to stop the pain cycle. Adapt and plan you day around it, like someone said "welcome to the club" Gabapentin is very very good drug for serious nerve pain, so don't understand your pain Dr's response at all. Wish you had time to replace him.
I already told you how to deal with the constipation so it should not be an issue any longer and keep icing consistently. And no more " might have done some inappropriate movements and stop bending , it just really worries me how much worse you have become in just 5 months! My past suggestions work for most folks with nerve pain. Good Luck with your doctor's. Just know they can never put you back together 100% . At this point there will always be tradeoffs. Prayers for you.
Replies to "Alfred, I didn't mean all cervical 4 levels, multi level is usually maybe 2, possibly 3..."
Hi jm1,
how are you?
A few days ago you asked me:
"Did they use a new stronger MRI 3T machines like they have at Mayo"
I just found out that my local MRI services provider, called Marina Radiology, only uses MRI 1.5T machines unfortunately.
I suppose that the MRI 3T machines would provide twice the details compared to a MRI 1.5T machine.
Anyway this is my 2cents worth today.
Thank you.
Alfred
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Hi jm1,
how are you?
10 days ago I bent down to pickup my socks which may have overextended my spine.
I spoke to the pain management doctor today and explained the situation.
He does agree that the condition is worse than before but advised be to keep taking the pain medication. He won't prescribe me Gabapentin and told me to keep using Lyrica/Pregabaling 75mg, plus the others.
I haven't been riding since September 2022. When I feel OK I might do a 1.5-2km slow walk to keep some activity, I am not doing weight training either. Obviously I have to lift light things during my everyday things to do.
I don't think I have had a MRI with contrast. I told the doctor about the contrast a while ago but he said that was not necessary.
I do have all my MRI/Scans CDs and can also access the images online, but I can't really understand the significance of the images apart from recognizing the neck and thoracic structure.
I remember that in 2 occasions 2 physiotherapists were a bit rough on me and was told that the pain would go away after 2 days. This was back in October and December 2022.
The osteopath performed massaging below the neck and some dry needling plush traction. At the end he gently held my head an told me to gently turn my head in the opposite way to the way he was holding my head.
When I looked at my images I took a snapshot of my neck and can see that there are some vertebrae a little close to my spinal cord. Once gain I am no expert.
I attached the image and placed 3 arrow where I believe it is close.
It would be good if I could have these images evaluated by some experts.
I found a web site https://mri.deukspine.com/ which provides free assessment but I think it is for people that live in the US.
I am not sure if Australia uses the MRI 3T machines. Normally us Aussies a little behind the rest of the Western World. I know that in Thailand they are pretty advanced with spine surgery.
Thanks again.
Alfred