u/Dammit_Mr_Noodle

I had my follow up with an orthopedic doctor to go over my MRI this morning. MRI report said I have bulging discs at c5-c7, including an annular tear, and broad based osteophyte complex at c6-c7 causing moderate cord deformity and significant central stenosis, effacement of CFS, and moderate foraminal stenosis. Looking at the images in the office, the problem area has minimal CSF space all around, and a top view section shows only a tiny sliver of it on one side, and none on the other, where the cord is being compressed. The cord compression in that image looks like a full quarter of the spinal cord is missing because it's being pressed in.

I've been having symptoms like frequent headaches (some orthostatic), severe fatigue and brain fog for several years now. 4-5 months ago, my arms and hands started feeling tingly, which has progressed to feeling tingly 24/7, shooting pain, clumsiness in my hands, and major weakness. I've recently developed double vision (eye doctor confirmed cause is not from my eyes), and balance issues. I've actually fallen a couple times.

According to my doctor, the only problem caused by the stenosis and cord compression is the arm/hand issues. She said the loss of balance can't be from it, because the cord is only compressed and not "damaged", since there is no color change to the area. She said the debilitating fatigue and brain fog aren't from it, either, but maybe from meds or POTS.

She also said that the double vision is something else, because those nerves are higher up. I asked if the reduced CSF flow could cause it, and she insisted that since CSF flow isn't COMPLETELY blocked, it can't cause a problem.

This goes against everything I have read on these issues, but I'm not a doctor, so I don't know if I'm being ridiculous, or if she is. I do have a consult with a surgeon, but I'm worried that will also get me nowhere if the doctor is right about everything.

I cannot continue to live like this, and I need to know if my symptoms really are caused by something else, or if surgery for this could improve my quality of life. Is there still hope, or do I just give up and assume this is my life now? Hoping to hear from people who have experienced these issues.

I was in my kitchen and heard a cat meowing, but it sounded like when two cats are about to fight. I went downstairs expecting to break up a fight- two of our three cats are sisters, but for some reason they get mad at each other once in a while. But it was just one of them by herself, standing in an odd position and meowing like she was angry.

Then she just fell over, moving like she was struggling to breathe. I felt her heart, and it was beating so fast that it felt like it was vibrating. Then it just stopped. I tried performing CPR, but she didn't come back.

She was a bit overweight, but otherwise healthy, according to the vet, who she had seen about 6 months ago. She was only 12 years old. She acted a little odd earlier today (didn't finish her lunch, sat in one spot for longer than usual), but there were no other signs anything was wrong. I'm thinking maybe she had an undiagnosed heart condition, but I'm terrified it could be something the other two could catch, even though they are fully vaccinated.

I'm wondering if anyone else has had a cat pass away like this and it was from heart failure.