What Does This Mean?

[RabbitMum_1965]

Can anyne help? A neck mri showed widespread degeneration in my spine. The report is a bit long so I've taken a couple of points from it.

What's - bilateral uncovertabral joint degeneration and disc/ osteophyte bar which indents the ventral CSF. Right mild neural exit canal stenosis, C3-4.

neural exit canal narrowing C2-3.

there's also stenosis at C4-5 and C5-6, along with indenting of ventral CSF C4-5, C5-6 and C6-7 (minor at C6-7). Moderate disc/osteophyte bar identing ventral CFS touching the cord at C5-6 with neural exit canal stenosis.

No compressive myelopathy.

I'm female in mid-50s. Not overweight. I was a lone parent and raised them myself from when they were toddlers/babies so haven't had time to look after myself. They are now in their 20s and doing well. I don't want to be in chronic pain when I retire.

I'm in pain already which I manage with herbs/spices like ginger, turmeric etc. Will the above cause paralysis?

My other symptom is intermittent left hand numbness but the neurologist said there was nothing on the mri that showed nerve damage. He didn't tell me about the above, only saying - 'mild degenerative changes' and advised on pain medication. My GP gave me a copy of the report.

I'm not a pill popper so rejected his painkillers as they made me ill, which in turn caused me to lose weight.

My next review is in Feb 2021.

[HeronNS]

It's wise to avoid regular use of NSAIDs as they interfere with cartilage regeneration. Can you access physio? A physiotherapist can prescribe exercises - probably really boring ones - which will strengthen the muscles which support your spine. I've been doing these usually twice a day for ages now. It's a lifetime commitment, but a lot better than being in worsening pain and eventually crippled.

I thought I was having a stroke one night as my left side felt a bit numb. In those days you could go to the hospital emergency and get reasonably prompt treatment, which I did, and it helped that I was relatively young, too. I think they tend to be less anxious about old people because, well, we're old. Anyway everything was checked out, and in the end my GP said the only thing left was my spine. I had complained off and on for years about intermittent back pain. So off to the physiotherapist with the x-ray report. As I said, this was literally years ago, maybe about twenty-five years, and my back is okay. Not perfect, but I have good quality of life. By now I have exercises for nearly every joint in my body!

[RabbitMum_1965 in reply to HeronNS]

Thanks HeronNS. It's this covid thing that makes it difficult to get an nhs physio. I'll need to see one privately but will first check if my place of work's one can see me. I have my good days and bad days. Today is a bad day re pain; I was doing some paperwork (it's tax return time) so I think the stress and posture have had an impact. Doing the actual return tomorrow or Monday but gathering paperwork today; (

[HeronNS in reply to RabbitMum_1965]

Good luck. 🍀

[Hidden in reply to RabbitMum_1965]

Good luck, I am not Dr, but had similar results, in lumbar area L5-S1. Have Dr interpolate to you in non medical terms. It seems to me, the 15 minute visit is becoming standard. Really sad that happened to you. I have been to pain management & start PT in week or so. Best wishes & heath

[RabbitMum_1965 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks REM1970. I also start physio in a few days. I sent the results to the physio and hope she will be able to discuss. It's an online assessment via zoom or something like that. When I asked my GP what the scan results meant, he said - 'minor changes'.

Hope you are well also.

[Hidden in reply to RabbitMum_1965]

Please ask him/her what minor means. Minor can develop into major problems if missed. Sharing & trying to support. Chronic pain is rough-Physical therapy is a try, my appointment coming up-try to be well. I find focusing on others helps as well as some games. I did not see if you have gone to pain management. If not, is it an option? I hope so

[RabbitMum_1965 in reply to Hidden]

I'm not a fan of chemicals so go to mother nature instead Eg ginger, turmeric . I don't know how I'd be with being told I needed surgery as the only surgery I've ever had was when I had my kids by c section. I will definitely see either a chiropractor or osteopath privately. will probably need to see an endocrinologist privately also.

[Hidden in reply to RabbitMum_1965]

Just read about turmeric today. Trying to change diet to as little sugar as possible. Surgery on what? Knee, back. I have several issues. Neurosurgeon was going to do surgery Dec 12 or 23 2019. My mother in law was just diagnosed with cancer & I knew she would not make it to New year. So after she passed Dec 27, went back to neurosurgeon who then changed his mind- Drs oh well. If any surgery may/might help, consider all options with open mind. I hope you find some resolution. In meantime stay as well as possible

[Hidden in reply to RabbitMum_1965]

I will add I went to pain management. Several rounds of injections in back helped for a while, Had what is called medial branch block(did not seem to help) as well as sacroiliac joint injection( helped a bit) Now physical therapy