New to this Forum - ?'S ON MRI...

[BEGLET]

Hi folks,
I'm a member of the peripeperhal neropathy forum - have had foir six years - they assuem its CIPD - also have pretty severe autonomic neruopathy - have lived on liquids only for six years cause stomach doesnt digest propertly, has also affected my heart, BP, etc..... anyway, I use a wheelchair when I leave the housee due to the neruopathy (no balance and very weak) - but also have increasing lower back pain...... an MRI on Lumbar Spine a year ago showed disk desicreation and degenertion at L4-L5-S1 - but it was tolerable...

In the past 8 months (and I had a fall several months back I think could have contributed) I am in severe pain - especially sitting straight up (position of worst pain is ini wheelchair - no matter how many tylenol I take (cant take opiates because of allergies)... its like being stabbed across my back and around my hips - after about 4 hours in the chair I'm literally crying in pain...

Just got MRI results - but I've got so many other ongoing issues with my neruopathy that need to be addressed first my doc just said - maybe we try PT for now - we need to address other issues first (I've tried PT - doesnt help).....

He didn't even go over the results but here they are:

1) Broad based bulge L4-L5 - endplate degenerative changes, some of which is acute and to right of midline. Likely impingement upon the intracanalicular L5 root on right and lesser degree mass effects on the left without foraminal stenosis or central canal narrowing.

2) Broad based disk bulge at L5-S1 with at least moderate and possibly severe effacement of the leftlateral recess and likely mass effects and/or impingement upon both the lateral recess nerves and the foraminal nerve on the left side.

Can anyone interpret this? Also, anyone with similar problems that have found a non-invasive therpapy (I already take 10 meds to control complications from neropathy and am super sensitive to medications)

Appreciate any feedback.

Thanks

[sallyb]

I am unable to interpret that MRI, but I just want you to know that I feel for you. Sorry you are having so much pain. I, also, have my worst pain sitting. That is really a bad thing for someone who has no choice but to sit.

[Boopers]

I am also unable to interpret but also wanted to say how sorry I am. I know that the disc bulges are very painful. I have seven herniated discs in my neck and back, so am very familiar to the pain.
I wish you all the luck with your health problems,
Linda

[BEGLET]

Thanks for the good wishes - its hard cause if you have a nerupoathy question thats what I know about - but this back stuff is new.... I called a spine doc I saw over a year ago - pain was not nearly this bad or the MRI - he's having me fax the reoprt to him and we'll see if he can expain and/or offer treatment options........

[Bobbi]

Do you have the Findings/Impressions part of the report?

I don't understand the medical jargon embedded in most, yet, often have seen (by my reports and others') that the more understandable info. is frequently in the section(s) I asked about.

[BEGLET]

Hi - boy, am I slow answering posts! The info I put in my first post on this thread are really summary of the findings.... since then I have talked to the back/pain doc.... he said at this point he doesnt feel safe doing steroiod injections anymore because the damage has gotten so much worse since he saw me last - and he doesnt think I'll be able to lay perfecty still on my stomach for the lenght of time it will take for the injections (he said takes a while to position me - then at least 15 mintues for the injections) because of the pain I'm in.....

Suggested I talk to my neurologist about non-opiate pain killers plus am trying some PT to strengthen back - but with my other health issues its a real challenge.....

The PT has also suggested a soft back support - anyone have good luck with these?

Any thoughts appreciated! Thanks!