Flattening of spinal cord.

[Calceolaria]

This is one of many findings on my scans, both neck and lumbar. The quacks don't seem too bothered about it but the one in my neck worries me. Anyone else have this ?

[Boozybird]

Hi C, not heard of that one! Could it relate to the flattening of the normal spinal curves?

[Calceolaria]

Thanks Boozy. I have reversal of the normal neck curve as well although its not obvious in my appearance. The cord flattening is in two places and to do with odds and sods pressing slightly. Well, as I said, the docs say its just a degenerating spine, average for my age. Hard to believe but what do I know!

[Hidden]

Not heard of that either. Degeneration is cruel and fickle. I remember when we were children the future was going to be full of bionic parts. Nobody was going to suffer, just remove the damaged bit and click on a new part. Seems its a bit further into the future than our lives.

[Calceolaria]

Ah, there you are !

[teadrinker]

My spine curves the wrong way a bit (scoliosis) and I have some "slight degeneration" of C5 and C6 vertebra in my neck. Was told not to worry about either. All these little bits have contributed to the pain in a roundabout way.

But I think the term "degeneration" gets used a lot for minor things. As it is also used for quite serious conditions it is easy to panic. They do sometimes seem quick to tell patients about every little incidental thing they find on scans and x-rays and sometimes I wish they wouldn't! They found a tumour on a brain scan I had once - it really is quite harmless and minor and highly unlikely to have any impact on me at all. If I'd not had the scan I would never have known about it. But of course, they felt it was interesting enough to mention so now, even though I rationally know it's nothing, every so often I have a momentary worry about it.

But then again, they probably can't win, if they don't tell us stuff we'd complain.

Zanna - I AM bionic, I have 2 extra ribs as well (another incidental finding on a scan). Still hoping they might find I harbour the secret of eternal youth or something really useful, but no luck yet,