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What Do These Following MRI And CT Scan Results Indicate?
Question: I have been seen by a lot of specialists and have been treated for fibromyalgia, anxiety, insomnia, neuropathy, and spinal issues. I have been looking for another doctor because I haven't made much progress and she's literally said she has no more ideas. Seems like every doctor has a completely different idea for treating my symptoms. Or some turn me away due to the number of symptoms I have.
MRIs and CAT scans (done early 2012 or before) show sinuses are normal, but I have reversal of the normal lordosis and spinal stenosis of cervical spine. Also in my cervical spine I have: C3-4 - a posterior disc bulge, broad based with narrowing of neuroforamina bilaterally; C4-5 - central disc bulge with increased signal in the disc material suggesting subligamentous herniation which causes some narrowing of the central canal, C5-6 large central disc protrusion, maybe subligamentous herniation causing narrowing of the central canal, C6-7 posterior disc bulge.
L1-4 - significant central or foraminal stenosis, L4-5 - there are degenerative facet changes, disc is mildly desiccated, disc bulge is present with a small broad based central disc protrusion deforming the ventral thecal sac, L5-S1 - mild degenerative facet change, minimal disc bulge
After some 'education' I've gotten from neurologists, rheumatologists, internal medicine, pain management specialists, and of ourse the internet, I really think that my issues stem from my spine and/or is neurological.
I'm getting pretty convinced that my symptoms are not a form of FMS. I've been treated for it for five years and no meds except narcotic pain medicine has done anything significant. I don't want to be on all this medicine unless it's needed. I want to find the cause of this pain! I'd like to stop the pain, stop all the other issues such as nausea, vomiting, migraines, loss of appetite, extreme muscle tightness, trigger points and pain.
I'd like your opinion, suggestions. Is this pain just fibromyalgia? Or is the FMS caused by spinal, neurological issues? I think if the spine/brain pain/issues are solved, maybe the FMS will dissipate. ??
The pain is stabbing, throbbing, muscle spasms, achy, burning, tingling.
Thanks for your reply, XXXXXXX
MRIs and CAT scans (done early 2012 or before) show sinuses are normal, but I have reversal of the normal lordosis and spinal stenosis of cervical spine. Also in my cervical spine I have: C3-4 - a posterior disc bulge, broad based with narrowing of neuroforamina bilaterally; C4-5 - central disc bulge with increased signal in the disc material suggesting subligamentous herniation which causes some narrowing of the central canal, C5-6 large central disc protrusion, maybe subligamentous herniation causing narrowing of the central canal, C6-7 posterior disc bulge.
L1-4 - significant central or foraminal stenosis, L4-5 - there are degenerative facet changes, disc is mildly desiccated, disc bulge is present with a small broad based central disc protrusion deforming the ventral thecal sac, L5-S1 - mild degenerative facet change, minimal disc bulge
After some 'education' I've gotten from neurologists, rheumatologists, internal medicine, pain management specialists, and of ourse the internet, I really think that my issues stem from my spine and/or is neurological.
I'm getting pretty convinced that my symptoms are not a form of FMS. I've been treated for it for five years and no meds except narcotic pain medicine has done anything significant. I don't want to be on all this medicine unless it's needed. I want to find the cause of this pain! I'd like to stop the pain, stop all the other issues such as nausea, vomiting, migraines, loss of appetite, extreme muscle tightness, trigger points and pain.
I'd like your opinion, suggestions. Is this pain just fibromyalgia? Or is the FMS caused by spinal, neurological issues? I think if the spine/brain pain/issues are solved, maybe the FMS will dissipate. ??
The pain is stabbing, throbbing, muscle spasms, achy, burning, tingling.
Thanks for your reply, XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
New imaging studies needed.
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX and thanks for being on HCM.
I have read your question and understand your concerns.
Regarding to MRI and CT scan results you described, there are at least, spinal cord and nerves involved that may cause your symptoms.
It seems to be degenative and herniated discs disease of the spine.
However, it is necessary to know if the symptoms you describe are the same or worsened since you had those imaging studies.
If the symptoms worsened, new MRI of the spine is needed to evaluate if there is progression or not, of the degenative spine disease.
Those imaging studies are too old to evaluate correctly current condition, they may serve as a comparison of new imaging studies instead.
If fibromyalgia is the main reason of your symptoms, this needs to be evaluated again after new imaging.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care.
New imaging studies needed.
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX and thanks for being on HCM.
I have read your question and understand your concerns.
Regarding to MRI and CT scan results you described, there are at least, spinal cord and nerves involved that may cause your symptoms.
It seems to be degenative and herniated discs disease of the spine.
However, it is necessary to know if the symptoms you describe are the same or worsened since you had those imaging studies.
If the symptoms worsened, new MRI of the spine is needed to evaluate if there is progression or not, of the degenative spine disease.
Those imaging studies are too old to evaluate correctly current condition, they may serve as a comparison of new imaging studies instead.
If fibromyalgia is the main reason of your symptoms, this needs to be evaluated again after new imaging.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
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