Multiple diffused discs in spine. 3 in neck, 2 mid back and 4 lumbar

Have you discussed the MRI results with your doctor? I’m not familiar with the results you provide, so I can’t offer anything with that regard, I hope you can find some relief.

I was convinced that I had a couple of neurological conditions last year, including ALS, but after a full neurological evaluation, I discovered that I did not.

I’ve been experiencing a lower back and neck for a while. The last few months I’ve had sore legs, and they’re not always sore in the same spot. The pain moves from my hamstrings to my quads, to my calves to my feet. And I’ve noticed that it differs based on my position. I got an MRI a few weeks ago, and have yet to talk to my doctor about my results. But, I did get a copy of my results. They show multiple bulged discs as well as narrowing in my spinal canal. Nothing about nerve compression though, which would’ve explained my sore legs. I’ve googled my symptoms and everything I read on there is very bad and scary. Hopefully someone is experienced why I’m going through, I just want an explanation for my pain.

@alex199407 Welcome. You've come to the right place. Dr. Google doesn't see patients and really has no expert opinion that can specifically be about you. I do know how that feels when something is wrong and your mind runs away with you. A doctor did authorize your MRI, so there must be some sort of followup in the future. It is scary when you get the first news that there may be a spine problem. I knew when I found out I had central canal stenosis in my neck that the only way to resolve that was surgery and I was afraid of surgery. My experience of actual spine surgery was that the spine surgery wasn't that bad, and the experience of breaking my ankle with 3 related surgeries and a longer much more painful recovery was a lot worse. I had spinal cord compression at C5/C6 which did cause pain all over my body and weakness in arms and legs. Spine problems do cause pain that can be referred to the body, and every mapped nerve root exits the spinal cord between the individual vertebrae. If you have nerve compression there, it is very specific as to where you will feel pain. If you have spinal cord compression, it is pot luck as to what nerve pathway is getting compressed in that big bundle.

Spine issues change things and you learn to adapt and not do things that could make it worse. Because the spinal cord has to move inside the spinal canal with different body positions, take note of what activities and body positions cause your symptoms so you can tell your specialist. Actually that is a good sign if you know what to do to reproduce symptoms. If you really had ALS, symptoms would be random. I talked with an ALS patient at Mayo in the waiting area while I was waiting for my testing appointments and I could see muscles twitching randomly all over his arm, and not always in the same place. Hopefully, that will ease your mind a bit until you have an official opinion about where your symptoms are coming from.

Have you been referred to a spine specialist for a consultation?

Jennifer

Thankyou for responding to my post. I do have an appointment with my doctor to go over my results later this week. The anxiety is getting to me though, it’s hard not to look up symptoms. It’s been going on for 3 months now, my legs started off hurting in the hamstrings and gluts. Now I’m noticing it’s more my calves, but not in my hamstrings anymore? I’m pretty sure that als symptoms don’t go away, they would stay and more of body would progressively be worse. I also don’t think pain is common with als. Im hoping more people see my post and are able to ease my mind.

Sounds about exactly like what’s happening to me. I am presently doing physical therapy and will be doing a epidural in l3/4 in two weeks. Then we shall see how that goes. My orthopedic spine specialist says he will know what we need to do if the shot helps. It’s such a guessing game ugh.

Good morning. I hope you're having a good day today.

I can't speak to ALS but I can speak to the pains you've been experiencing in your legs in various places. I also experienced pain (sometimes extreme) in my quads, hamstrings, and glutes. Both thighs eventually became numb to the touch. The pain moved around some and there were days that were worse than others. Sound similar?

My MRI and X-rays were similar to yours showing stenosis, bulging, and spondy. No doc ever mentioned ALS or anything other than "spine problems". You didn't say - but what kind of doctor have you been consulting with?

Thankyou for responding. I’ve only consulted with my family doctor and my chiropractor so far. Did the pain ever affect your calves or feet? Sometimes it moves around based on the position that I’m in. Were you able to find relief from the pain, and discomfort? If so, what did you do?

Hello @alex199407 - I moved your discussion on bulged discs and combined it with your first post on diffuse and bulging discs, "Multiple diffused discs in spine. 3 in neck, 2 mid back and 4 lumbar" - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/multiple-diffused-discs-in-spine-3-in-neck-2-mid-back-and-4-lumbar/.

I did this so members like @cathy2223 and @upstatephil could see your newest update as well.

Thankyou!

Pain had a mind of its own and moved through my legs and lower extremities. I don't have a firm recollection of feet pain? I ended up undergoing a 4-level decompression and fusion L2-5 in May 2023.

Here was my thinking: I wanted to defer spinal surgery as long as possible. If lucky - for ever. But what I call "sudden onset leg numbness" was occurring multiple times a day and with no advanced notice. My decision became clearer. I could either continue to place myself in personal danger (legs go numb while at the top of the stairs) or I could subject myself to the risks and long recovery from back surgery.

In other words - doing nothing was no longer the best option.

I am 9+ months post lumbar work and I'm 85% of the way back to normal. Pain is gone. Sudden leg numbness is gone. Spine conditions such as stenosis, spondy, and bulging discs do not magically repair themselves...

Have you considered when/how you will decide what you will do?