r/SpinalStenosis

First of all, I know its not spinal stenosis, and im just looking from advice.

My neck looks like it went downhill in a couple years from bad posture at pc and phone, gym training, basketball and probably stress and depression. It got worse 4 months ago after a gym injury and I'd like to know if you guys can see anything radiologist missed or neurosurgeon didn't take into consideration and only mentioned my cervical rectification as my source of pain. My symptoms are numbness , tingling and pain on the left arm, but in report there is just the right side being mentioned caused by foraminal narrowing, where I sometimes get symptoms but they are most likely caused by median nerve compression at some level, proved by a previous emg I had. They pain comes and goes, and sitting or bending head forward makes it worse. Laying in bed or walking makes it better. I haven't tried anything yet and im reluctant on taking medication because its not that bad yet. I also quit going to the gym and I'm sticking to walking and I'm probably gonna start swimming. I had this cervical MRI one week ago and I will add sagittal and one approximate axial view of every level and also the report translated. One thing I've noticed is that they don't even mention my c5-c6 where I see a bulge or bone spur(?) Here's the radiologist report:

Correct alignment of the cervical vertebral bodies in the sagittal plane

Mild loss of physiological lordosis

Early signs of osteochondrosis with signs of dehydration of the C3-C4 and C4-C5 discs. Along with mild uncoarthrosis causing:

At C3-C4: narrowing of the right intervertebral foramen.

At C4-C5: right foraminal narrowing.

Bulbomedullary junction, cervical spinal cord, and spinal canal without additional abnormalities.

Any help or additional information would be appreciated. PD: I know not every pain or symptoms cant be explained just by imaging, but its a place to start. Thank you.

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Hi everyone,

Anyone here with C4-C5 cervical cord compression had burning in the genital area and burning while urinating?

My MRI shows around 5 mm cord compression with focal intramedullary edema. Surgeon asked me to monitor symptoms for now.

Just wanted to know if anyone experienced similar symptoms...

I’m really scared and anxious about these symptoms🥲

Can handle take as needed opioids with zero side effects or addiction issues (how they make anyone high is beyond me...), so obviously I'm one of the people they refuse to give any. Zanafex (tizanadine) I handle quite fine with zero side effects but take sparingly so they actually work.

Gabapentin/neurontin makes me feel insane, terrible and illiterate - unable to even function, much less work. I'd rather be in pain. Lacosamide, not quite as bad mentally (but not good) - with added heart arrythmia (no good after a heart attack a couple years ago).

Steroid shots made me swell and blood pressure jump 30-40 points continually for 2 months, while I was bright red and couldn't bear the sun... along with 2 trips to the ER with bp 80 points above normal and pulse flying. Felt horrible! Another 2 months about half as bad, then finally at 4 months, I said "Wow, my neck doesn't hurt as bad - then I did a couple hours work & overnight 110% of the pain was back and constant since.

Cannot take NSAIDS either, a few regular ones and I start to get that reaction as well. Cox-2 inhibitors to the extreme. They gave me Meloxicam a decade ago and multiple ER trips and I swear, 1 more pill and it would have been the graveyard for me. Took me 6 weeks after quitting it, lying in bed with my hands on my head, trying to meditate and control my breathing and pulse, constantly checking my bp - until I was finally back to normal. My wife's coworker's husband expired before 40 taking Meloxicam, like the infamous Vioxx they finally took off the market.

They'd rather you end up deleted than give you 10 average opioids a month, when you have zero side effects or addiction issues. The problem with steroid injections, is if you have a reaction, you can't get the %$&#@!^ sh!^ out of your system for months... never again!!!

Wondering if surgery will even help after 25 years of pain, numbness, weakness, falling on the ground shaking a few times a month (and that tight muscle electrical feeling over my whole body, where I'm close to that point - probably 25 days a month)? I can't deal with being worse off after surgery... at least I'm still alive after quitting some of these other "treatments" in time.

I'm sure I needed lumbar surgery as a teenager, 35 years ago, for the congenital stenosis & associated radiculopathy and array of other lumbar nerve issues & cervical fusion 25 years ago, after getting T-boned on my side by a truck going over 70mph (didn't even x-ray me in ER, but whole body deteriorated over the next 5 years). Didn't know what was wrong with my neck until T-boned again in 2012 by a car doing 50mph & bringing the CD home of my CT scan myself & bringing it back to my next appointment and having to point out my c2 displaced over my c3, with the c3 off the c4... that finally got me an mri & a prescription for Meloxicam, which came very close to truly deleting me (which I was accused of being crazy, until the Voltaran cream they replaced it with gave me the same symptoms & I never saw another Dr. the next 10 years until I had a massive heart attack with 99% blockage an drove myself to the ER).

I'm finally getting treatment for my spine again after going back to the ER with the same chest, back, and arm pain 2 months later - as I had with the heart attack & telling them I can't tell if it's from my heart or spinal issues & the good doc I was lucky to get that time did a new CT of my neck and shoulder area, when my heart tests came back good.

I suppose this has been quite a long post, but after so many "treatments" being worse than the original suffering itself, I'm wondering what improvement I might get after 25-35 years of symptoms that people end up getting surgery for in a matter of months, so the nerve damage isn't permanent I'd assume mine is by now ?). Or is surgery just worth debating the risk for not much likely immediate benefit by now, with the chance of being worse off - versus doing it now in my early 50's, knowing sooner or later there's a huge likelihood I would need both the lumbar & cervical in more of an emergency situation when I'm even older and in worse health (severe stenosis at multiple levels now in both places, DDD, severe arthritis, spondylolisthesis, straightening of lordosis, ligamentum flavum buckling, and a ton more). Also, my mother's side, her father died of massive heart attack (clots) in his early 60's, 6 of his brothers had the same fate late 40's to 60's, and a 7th brother died of stroke (clot) at the same age & as I said before I had a massive heart attack (clot, 99% blockage) at 49.

Just wondering how many people reacted so horribly to so many of the "conservative treatments" & gathering more to consider before deciding what I'm going to do about this cervical fusion surgery & knowing my lumbar is just as bad... I will also have close to zero help or support, post-surgery. At this time, after 25-35 years, I break a tizanadine in half every few nights, take a whole one maybe once a week & can't take anything they're willing to prescribe me for pain - I guess suffering 24hrs a day all over your whole body is just another day alive after so long. Don't know how much more I can deal with though, going through with this and ending up even worse - is something I can't even contemplate right now...

Diagnosed with severe foraminal stenosis C6. Have had tremendous nerve pain that has increased quickly. Im not sleeping as most of you know the pain intensifies at night. I am an athlete and do not take any medications. Im understanding PT can resolve this and Im looking forward to that but in the meantime can gabapentin help me sleep? I terrified of the side effects/withdrawal. If anyone else is not taking other meds other than gabapentin can advise me I would greatly appreciate it.

Edit: Thanks for the replies! Saw doc today and told my concerns and doc was supposed to prescibe 100mg for sleep only. I got the prescription and it says 300mg 3x day. Wth? I know everyone is different but any thoughts on withdrawal from 300mg just at night.

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I have nerve compression at C5-C6 and C6-C7 are partially fused congenially. I am 36 , was leading an active lifestyle with no pain or discomfort until 4 weeks ago when I started having sharp shooting pain near shoulder baldes , which initially doctors treated as spasm . I had sleepless nights and then after Xray it was clear that I have bulge went to consultation to a nuerospine surgeon .

I still cannot process the fact , no matter to which doctor I go they are suggesting surgery . I have some tingling but not majorly affecting , I some times feel affect in my grip , its little shattering me from the inside. Like a month I was doing everything , now I cannot even walk longer , because I might feel pain in my arm and I want to avoid that sharp pain.

I took some ayurvedic treatment for a week. I did gave me relief , I am constantly on Gabapin , initially It was 400 mg a day, now It has come down to 100 mg a day .

Please suggest whats the road ahead I am a mother of two , Should I go for sugery and hows life after that ?

or should I live like this depending on processes and medicines ?

Its a big decision going for a spine surgery , I am a mother of two.

Please suggest

The following is the report from my EMG.
Abnormal study.
There is electrophysiologic evidence of a:

1. Chronic C5-6 radiculopathy on the right as evidenced by the decreased recruitment and chronic denervation changes in the above-mentioned muscles.
2. There is no evidence of a median ulnar neuropathy bilaterally.
   Upon seeing my neurosurgeon after this study wants to fuse my neck from my C2 all the way down to my T1. I feel mad as or extreme for a pinched nerve. Could anyone give me any input or has anyone been in the same situation? I just do not feel that big surgery is necessary for a pinched nerve. I do have bilateral numb hands, and my upper arms are heavy feeling. Thank you for any input or possible advice that you may be able to give me.

Met with my Physical Medicine doctor for first time yesterday to go over my MRI and discuss treatment going forward. Began the prednisone 6 day treatment and will be scheduled for a cortisone shot. This is Kaiser, so he said that appointment may take a considerable amount of time to be scheduled. He also said to go ahead and make the appointment when scheduling calls me, but if the oral treatment is still working then cancel the appointment.

He stressed "lifestyle changes" such as absolutely no more heavy lifting or house chores. He really told my husband I was no longer allowed to sweep and mop. As a perfectionist this is going to be difficult as every one knows wives clean houses better than husbands ;). Just when your decades long marriage thought it couldn't face any new challenges, right?

Most importantly the Doctor said I needed to get either an indoor walking machine or bicycle to break up my time spent on computer which is my favorite pass time on days we do not have any outside places to go. Keeping my legs moving and strong will relieve pressure on my back and neck. He said "our heads are very heavy and need neck and back support".

There are often ads in local social media Marketplace for used exercise equipment, but if someone could recommend something that truly works for them I would definitely consider the investment on a newer model machine.

My challenge is that I am only 5 feet tall and have all my life struggled to take advantage of equipment at gyms and hotels facilities. I need something truly adjustable to my arms and legs. Everything needs to be the correct height, especially any bars for my arms as they feel 300 pounds if lifted up more than 1 minute even do to my make up.

I appreciate everyone who took the time to read through all of this and look forward to any recommendations you may have.

L4-L5 there is disc uncovering with pseudobulge. There is moderate facet

arthropathy. There are bilateral facet joint effusions. There is hypertrophy of ligamentum flavum. There is mild narrowing of the central canal and subarticular recesses. There is mild foraminal narrowing bilaterally. Findings appear relatively stable

L5-S1 there is minimal bulging disc. There is moderate facet arthropathy.

Central canal is patent.

Hey guys I (27M) have a question for you. Has anyone encountered the pain getting better, but numbness getting worse?
My physical therapist told me I shouldn’t walk so long that I feel numbness, but I’m practically numb in my foot all the time now.
Bonus info: I started symptoms 1,5 years ago and got an MRI in march/april. It’s a herniated disc L5/S1 with some protrusion in other places. It’s absolute recess stenosis with extra on the right. I understood it so that numbness and the pain doesn’t come from the same place? Just sounds weird. The numbness started in January, pain January last year. And numbness has been increasing ever since, while the pain started getting better in march/april. I started exercising April aswell.
I feel really stuck and my entire life revolves around my back. Especially now that I can’t even walk longer than 2 minutes.
The surgeon dismissed me and sent me to a back clinic last week. Idk what to do.

Any tips or suggestions? Would be very appreciated, thank you for reading.

I’ve been in constant pain for a year- had an acute episode after Mother’s Day weekend last year- spent the weekend doing landscaping, cutting tree branches etc etc and couldn’t move the day after. I thought it was my back “going out” which has happened over the years but the pain got worse instead of better.

Finally got some answers in August, referral to a good Ortho practice, had anMRI= severe bilateral stenosis L4-L5, same L5-S1, spondylolisthesis, disc degeneration, one veterbrae degenerative… just what I can recall without pulling up the results.

i have muscle spasms often during the day- low back, thigh muscles. The absolute unbearable pain eased up some last October - not sure why but I can maintain my daily routine if I never bend, lift or carry heavy things. basically all I can do is walk, stand and do kitchen work, etc. pain is constant but only intolerable if I do too much. I’ve tried everything- injections, PT, nsaids, muscle relaxer … a few “unapproved therapies,” but this is it I think until I choose surgery.

Lately I’ve noticed by midday I’m just done. I’m tired, feel like I’m hauling a huge weight around and just feel like gravity is pushing me flat.

I’m normally pretty busy, physical and mental- managing a farm, raising a teen granddaughter, cook and bake mostly from scratch. I’ve kept up most during this last year but lately it’s all becoming too much. I have to be very careful about how I move but I’m afraid to stop moving as that seems to be the beginning of the end- I’m in my 60’s.

There are so many things Im sure I can blame on the spinal nerves- have some annoying bladder complications, stupid muscle cramps in the middle of just about anything- usually movement.The baseline low back pain is pretty consistent. It now feels like other muscles higher on my back, rib cage etc are just starting to ache earlier each day. Only recently I’ve started to feel mentally exhausted, I had a particularly busy day recently and for more than 24 hours I just didn’t want to get off the couch! There’s plenty needing done - spring in the frozen north here (US), I’ve got dahlia‘s potted up for transplanting , all of last years canna needing planted, haven’t touched the leaves and junk in flower beds.

Do others find they reach a point where nothing’s fun anymore? Everything’s a slog and it’s starting to affect me mentally.

Any tips? advice?

I’m 25 and this has honestly started ruining my life mentally. I’ve had back problems for years already. I have 3 lumbar disc issues, sciatica/radiculopathy and Bertolotti syndrome on the right side. My right hip/glute/leg have always been tighter than the left but the last few months everything has gotten way worse.

My calves twitch nonstop now. Hamstrings feel like they want to cramp if my legs are bent too long. Sometimes my feet twitch, hands twitch, even weird pelvic/groin twitching at times. My legs constantly feel tight/heavy and my right calf feels almost like someone is lightly squeezing it all day.

The weirdest part is I can STILL do things. I can golf, walk, do PT, lift lighter weights etc. I don’t have foot drop or paralysis or anything obvious. But my body just feels OFF constantly.

I had an EMG done on my arm and it was clean. Cervical MRI was normal too. Doctors don’t see clinical weakness. But my brain keeps convincing me something horrible is wrong because the twitching/cramping/heavy feelings are literally every day now.

I also notice:
- symptoms get worse when I focus on them
- stress/anxiety makes them explode
- straight leg raise reproduces nerve pain down my leg
- sitting certain ways makes everything worse
- I wake up exhausted constantly
- muscles get sore/fatigued super easily now
- I get internal vibrating feelings sometimes trying to sleep

I’ve gone so far down the ALS/MS rabbit hole that I honestly don’t even know what’s real anymore. Half the time I can’t tell if it’s my back issues, nerve irritation, muscle guarding, anxiety, BFS, or just my nervous system being completely fried from being in fight or flight 24/7.

Mostly just wondering if anyone else with lumbar disc problems/radiculopathy/anxiety has had similar symptoms because this stuff is exhausting mentally.