I’m glad that your thyroid medication is working 1342fire, but so sorry you are no further forward with your spinal issues. Have you been given any dates for surgery?
I’ve just got my mri report back and it’s a lot to take in.
MRI cervical spine
CLINICAL HISTORY
FINDINGS
Loss of the normal cervical lordosis. Alignment is otherwise maintained.
Normal craniocervical junction.
Normal vertebral heights.
Normal signal of the imaged part of the spinal cord.
Axial images:
C2-3: Disc desiccation. No disc herniation or neural compromise.
C3-4: Disc desiccation and mild uncovertebral arthrosis. No neural compromise
C4-5: Moderate reduction in the disc height, disc desiccation and mild bilateral uncovertebral arthrosis, more pronounced on the right side, resulting in significant narrowing of the right exit foramen and compression of the right C5 exiting nerve root.
C5-6: Disc desiccation and bilateral uncovertebral arthrosis. No neural compromise.
C6-7: Disc desiccation and circumferential disc bulge. No neural compromise.
C7-1: Disc desiccation and minimal posterior disc bulge. No neural compromise.
T1-2: Disc desiccation. No disc herniation or neural compromise.
CONCLUSION
Multilevel degenerative changes, more marked at C4-5 level with compression of the right C5 exiting nerve.
RED ALERT
The radiology department has been notified.
MRI of the lumbar spine
CLINICAL HISTORY
Known history of lower neck pain Gamma lower back pain for a long period of time, walking with crutches. He had previous lumbar spine decompression and fusion, worsening back pain and leg numbness as well as arm pains, pins and needles and tingling.
FINDINGS
Comparison has been made with the previous MRI scan of 24 August 2023:
Straightening of the normal lumbar spine lordosis seen on sagittal sequences with preserved normal vertebral alignment
The patient has had previous arthrodesis L4-L5 with lumbar arthrodesis plate with transpedicular screws showing normal positioning and responsible of some mild metallic artefact on periphery.
The combination of moderate degenerative annular disc bulge with severe degenerative facet joint disease, hypertrophic ligamentum flavum and background of lumbar canal narrowing is responsible of severe acquired lumbar canal stenosis at L3-L4 seen just above the level of the lumbar arthrodesis with no cauda equina rootlets are recognised; no CS is visible, giving a homogeneous gray signal to the sac, while minimal epidural fat remains posteriorly. This appearance is slightly more severe than on the previous exam however, normal previous axial TZ sequences available covering this area.
There is also moderate acquired narrowing of the right exiting foramina at L4-L5 with possible irritation of the corresponding exiting nerve root right L4.
No other significant modification is seen within the rest of the exam in particular no additional external compression of the terminal spinal cord or the rest of the cauda equina nerve roots.
No height loss of the vertebra bodies or fracture.
There is a mild diffuse heterogenous aspect of the bone marrow related to the age of the patient..
No abnormalities seen on the peripheral soft tissue.
CONCLUSION
Severe acquired lumbar canal stenosis at L3-L4 with significant compression of the cauda equina nerve roots. This appearance is slightly more severe than on the previous exam however, normal previous axial 2 sequences available covering this area.
Moderate acquired narrowing of the right exiting foramina at L4-L5 with possible irritation of the corresponding exiting
Well done. I don’t know what your back problems are but do not rush to surgery because overall, the outcomes are poor. A lot can be done with carefully prescribed exercises that an experienced physio can do. I have been having back problems for over 25 years (spinal stenosis where the holes in the vertebrae allowing the nerves to come through grew too small , pressing on the nerves) but am managing the condition with daily exercises. These have changed somewhat over the years, so visits to good physios periodically may be necessary, but from what I hear about surgeries, non-invasive treatment is better.
Test vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin at least annually
Remember to stop B complex 5-7 days before any blood tests as contains biotin (biotin often used in lab equipment and can give false results)
In week before blood test, when you stop vitamin B complex, you might want to consider taking a separate folate supplement (eg Jarrow methyl folate 400mcg)
Helvella posted a research paper a few days ago which you should be aware of to use as a weapon in your arsenal as you navigate your treatment , going forward. It is Indian, and from the " Journal of Anaesthesiology Clinical Pharmacology, July-Sept 2024, Pain as a presenting symptom of hypothyroidism". Look up , journals.lww.com/joacp/full...
I can empathise with your tragically , horrible situation. You seem to be much worse than I am. I refused spinal fusion in 2001, though in agony. By 2007, techniques had advanced to the point that there was an alternative to spinal fusion to free my firmly trapped sciatic nerve. I had keyhole spinal surgery to shave the disc in 2007. I recently acquired my hospital records and found that my thyroid wasn't even checked prior to surgery. Over range bloods pre surgery show a possible Vit B12 problem, pre surgery ,which was ignored, and probably written off to likely stress.
Going forwards, nerve pain (radicular pain) could be a problem for you. The 2 active forms of vit B12 (adenosylcobalamin and methylcobalamin), in high doses, are quoted , if google questions, as a possible aid to treat nerve pain, and to attempt to regenerate the nerves.
I'm very proud that I can tag now, though sometimes it doesn't work. Don't understand clicking on a link and copying and pasting it. Sorry! Too advanced! I took a note of the web address on your original post so that i can put it in the google box on my computer if I want to find it again, and I quoted that from my notes. Think I have a mental block for that kind of thing.
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NHS T3 Blood Testing.
T3 on NHS
Getting T3 on nhs
problems with T3 levels, cynomel and NHS bad batches.
Private and NHS for thybon henning
