u/FoodYarnNerd

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43 year old female patient with progressive neurological symptoms since early March. Initially presented as right wrist and hand pain, an orthopedist ruled out Carpal Tunnel with a hand EMG/NCS and referred to physiatrist in the same practice as symptoms had progressed to right side C5-C6 radiculopathy. Cervical MRI without contrast was performed in April, showing reversal of lordosis, moderate foraminal stenosis at Right side C5-C6 and C6-C7 nerve root exit, central canal narrowing to 10mm, ventral cord defect without visible signal disruption, and near total disc desiccation/degeneration at C5-C7. Physiatrist recommended an epidural injection and dismissed questions about additional escalation of symptoms in the previous six weeks, so I sought second opinion from a neurosurgeon in May.

Symptom list at initial neurosurgeon appointment 5/21/2026 – radiculopathy progressed to bilateral paresthesia in all four limbs, urinary urgency, imbalance with tandem walk, 4/5 tricep and grip strength bilaterally, give away weakness in both arms and legs, loss of dexterity.

Neurosurgeon ordered a CT Myelogram, performed 6/8. Follow up appointment with Neurosurgeon on 6/21 resulted in a referral to Neurology due to progressive cervical myelopathy symptoms but no visible cord compression on any imaging. Between first appointment and Myelogram follow up, symptoms progressed to sensation loss in lower limbs, 3/5 tricep and grip strength, bilateral hyperreflexia in lower limbs, heaviness in torso, further loss of dexterity and hand function.

I am still awaiting consult with a Neurologist while symptoms are continuing to progress and function is continuing to decline. First neurology appointment scheduled for February 2027. Second referral scheduled October 9th.

Current symptoms include all from 6/21 as well as further loss of hand function and dexterity, further sensation loss in lower limbs, tripping/falling on level ground, dysphagia, facial numbness up to cheekbones on both sides, right sided numbness around back and crown of the head, and intermittent hemisensory loss on the right side. I now use adaptive utensils, a forearm crutch for walking, and can no longer sit upright at a desk while working (I have created a reclining setup in bed to adapt). Paresthesia, loss of dexterity and strength, and sensation loss are constant, but other symptoms are variable and cumulative in response to sustained activity level.

Referring neurosurgeon is unresponsive to patient messages asking for escalation of urgency with neurology referral but I am extremely concerned about waiting an additional 2 months with current rate of symptom progression and function loss.

Current medications - adzenys 15.7mg, bupropion 150mg, duloxetine 20mg, gabapentin 300mg x 3. Using CBD/CBG daily, which provides the most symptom relief but nothing really helps much.

This feels like a big deal. But doctors are acting like it's not a big deal. I don't know what to do or how to proceed when every professional I speak with agrees that my symptoms are problematic but then shrug and say they can't help me, send a referral to a different specialist, and then offers zero support for how to maintain any sort of quality of life while I am left in limbo and continuing to decline.

I am happy to provide any reports, notes, or imaging if it would be helpful. I have images from the myelogram but only the radiology report from the MRI.

What should I do here? Am I really just stuck here like this, getting worse, with no answers for months?

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43 year old female patient with progressive neurological symptoms since early March. Initially presented as right wrist and hand pain, an orthopedist ruled out Carpal Tunnel with a hand EMG/NCS and referred to physiatrist in the same practice as symptoms had progressed to right side C5-C6 radiculopathy. Cervical MRI without contrast was performed in April, showing reversal of lordosis, moderate foraminal stenosis at Right side C5-C6 and C6-C7 nerve root exit, central canal narrowing to 10mm, ventral cord defect without visible signal disruption, and near total disc desiccation/degeneration at C5-C7. Physiatrist recommended an epidural injection and dismissed questions about additional escalation of symptoms in the previous six weeks, so I sought second opinion from a neurosurgeon in May.

Symptom list at initial neurosurgeon appointment 5/21/2026 – radiculopathy progressed to bilateral paresthesia in all four limbs, urinary urgency, imbalance with tandem walk, 4/5 tricep and grip strength bilaterally, give away weakness in both arms and legs, loss of dexterity.

Neurosurgeon ordered a CT Myelogram, performed 6/8. Follow up appointment with Neurosurgeon on 6/21 resulted in a referral to Neurology due to progressive cervical myelopathy symptoms but no visible cord compression on any imaging. Between first appointment and Myelogram follow up, symptoms progressed to sensation loss in lower limbs, 3/5 tricep and grip strength, bilateral hyperreflexia in lower limbs, heaviness in torso, further loss of dexterity and hand function.

I am still awaiting consult with a Neurologist while symptoms are continuing to progress and function is continuing to decline. First neurology appointment scheduled for February 2027. Second referral scheduled October 9th.

Current symptoms include all from 6/21 as well as further loss of hand function and dexterity, further sensation loss in lower limbs, tripping/falling on level ground, dysphagia, facial numbness up to cheekbones on both sides, right sided numbness around back and crown of the head, and intermittent hemisensory loss on the right side. I now use adaptive utensils, a forearm crutch for walking, and can no longer sit upright at a desk while working (I have created a reclining setup in bed to adapt). Paresthesia, loss of dexterity and strength, and sensation loss are constant, but other symptoms are variable and cumulative in response to sustained activity level.

Referring neurosurgeon is unresponsive to patient messages asking for escalation of urgency with neurology referral but I am extremely concerned about waiting an additional 2 months with current rate of symptom progression and function loss.

Current medications - adzenys 15.7mg, bupropion 150mg, duloxetine 20mg, gabapentin 300mg x 3. Using CBD/CBG daily, which provides the most symptom relief but nothing really helps much.

This feels like a big deal. But doctors are acting like it's not a big deal. I don't know what to do or how to proceed when every professional I speak with agrees that my symptoms are problematic but then shrug and say they can't help me, send a referral to a different specialist, and then offers zero support for how to maintain any sort of quality of life while I am left in limbo and continuing to decline.

I am happy to provide any reports, notes, or imaging if it would be helpful. I have images from the myelogram but only the radiology report from the MRI.

What should I do here? Am I really just stuck here like this, getting worse, with no answers for months?