mri report

[confused]

Hi all i have recently had an mri scan on my lumbar area, my GP got results and has reffered me to a nuerosurgeon, but unfortunatley that will be approx 8 weeks. GP said basically she cannot tell me anything as it's not her area of expertise so i have no idea what the report means.
I was diagnosed with a herniated disc 4 years ago but this seems somewhat more complicated, i am worried now and would like an insight into whats wrong before the 8 week appointment. If any 1 could review this report and enlighten me a little it would be very appreciated.

There is early reduction in hydration signal in the lower lumbar discs.
There may be a segmentation variation and for the purpose of this report i take the most inferior complete disc to be at L5/s1.
There are rather lateral disc bulges at L4/5 and L3/4.The largest is at L4/5 where it narrows the left lateral recess and just enters the inferior aspect of the exit foramen. The left L5 root may well be compressed.
The changes are less marked at L3/4, but again the disc is directed towards the left.
There are quite marked facet joint hypertrophic changes which together with the disc bulges do narrow the central canal giving it a rather triangular configuration at L3/4 and L4/5.

 

[sunflower16]

Hi Ryback911,

Nobody is qualified to give medical opinion or diagnosis on this forum.

Namaste,
Myarka.

 

[Dog Lover]

I'm qualified to do both, but only on feet.

In reality no-one can give an accurate opinion or diagnosis based on one MRI report.
It would also be foolish in the extreme to give a medical opinion/diagnosis out on an open forum.

If you are worried why don't you ask your GP for a private appointment. It will cost around £200 (depending upon where you live - generally more expensive in the south).

Davidh

 

[PolotinnK]

Asking for a private appt is a great idea - it well help settle your mind. One thing to watch out for though is whether any subsequent appts/treatment by the same consultant would need to be private too.

Doesn't seem exactly fair but a couple of my patients who went private for a cardiology appt now have to pay every time they see him, even though it would have been the same person on the NHS only about 4 months later.

I do think there is a way of making sure this doesn't happen though - think you can ask for it as a one-off private consult - but please do check first

Blessings & sending some healing thoughts your way (with your permission?)

Wispy~Misty x

 

[rR918]

Hi all ty for the replies. As it turns out i have been 'fast tracked' from a 54 day waiting list to see a neurosurgeon to 6, i go to see him/her tomorow so i will have all my answers.
I have no idea if that 'fast tracking' is a good or bad sign tbh but atleast i will know 1 way or another. will post my verdict on here for any 1 that maybe interested.

 

[qistwldr]

If any 1 could review this report and enlighten me a little it would be very appreciated.

There is early reduction in hydration signal in the lower lumbar discs.
There may be a segmentation variation and for the purpose of this report i take the most inferior complete disc to be at L5/s1.
There are rather lateral disc bulges at L4/5 and L3/4.The largest is at L4/5 where it narrows the left lateral recess and just enters the inferior aspect of the exit foramen. The left L5 root may well be compressed.
The changes are less marked at L3/4, but again the disc is directed towards the left.
There are quite marked facet joint hypertrophic changes which together with the disc bulges do narrow the central canal giving it a rather triangular configuration at L3/4 and L4/5.
[/quote]


The other posters are quite correct, giving or recieving detailed 'patient specific' medical diagnosis on a forum is not advisable.

What is clear however, is that you have a extensive lumbar disc bulges and spinal canal narrowing issues in almost all of your lumber region (L) and it will take a lot of 'scan studying' before anyone can pick out a target area to treat first.

I know that these medical reports leave people cold, but you need to find research information on these descriptions and come to understand thier meanings, because you will need to know what is wrong with you before you can decide what treatment you want. I know its scary, but its the only way to be sure.

PS: If you still do not know what some things are when you see your Consultant, demand simple to understand answer from him/her.
DONT BE FOBBED OFF!

Good luck.

SPINELF

 

[aqeppuqwibzilgens]

I agree with Spinelf, research all you can so that you understand your mri. I did that with mine. I also bought a skeleton (lol) one with discs and moving joints and it helped me understand where my problems were and how certain movements made it wors. But also how some made it feel better, so for me it was well worth the small outlay, lol the kids love playing with it too !

 

[Evilcharm]

Brilliant Idea cassie!

 

[speywfug]

Lol, that was ages ago lol! Actually Mr Bones fell on the floor this morning and his back skewed, I had to do some physio on him to get him hanging back straight rofl!

Gotta keep smiling

I have also got some chiropractic training manuals, not to do it but for the diagrams and to help me understand everything I can, so I recommend research in anyway

 

[NikoleusFC]

Brilliant Cassie, all of you reading cassie's last posts need to take a leaf out of her book, this is what it takes to find a true understanding of your own condition people, untill you do, you are at the mercy of the medics!

Do your research people!

SPINELF

 

[Bahhhh]

Lol you make me sound like Saint Cassie lol, but you are right, knowledge is a great pain releiver! I am with a chiropractor now and he was quite shocked at first when I could discuss the treatment with him and make suggestions lol. But when lying flat one can get a lot of reading done! Now he explains everything he is doing and I feel much safer

But most nhs surgeons and consutants don't seem to like it when the patient does their homework, and can comment and suggest or disagree with them, they have had the upper hand far too long.

 

[Adn]

Hi there, It seems so long after my last post i have had such a bad time i never felt like /capable of sitting down and writing a followup.
After my appointment with the neurosurgen he told me that my back was so damaged all he could do was take away the pain in my leg as he 'Cannot do anything for backpain' I felt that after 5 years of continued agony from leg and back this was still a warrented risk, I had a micro discectomy on the 15th of Septmber this year, I initially started to feel so much leg pain 2/3 weeks after which i was assured would go away, 8 weeks post op i was in a very bad place, the pain in my left leg which was the original 1 and now in my right also was just too much to bare, i then started to get a very bad increase in back pain and suffered bowel weakness, I had an emergency mri scan which revealed 1 of the other bulging discs i had was now 'prolapsed' but apparently was not a 'danger' to myself, i ended up crawling on the floor for most part of 2 weeks taking the max dose of Tramadel having no effect. Finally i went to the 'kernow doc' and after some time on the phone to an out of hours neurosurgen i got prescribed Gabapentin.
I must say from reading the leaflet that came with it i was very reluctant to take it, but being at the point of not caring any longer i took it.
I can say after the 2nd dose i had dramatic reduction in leg pain and after 5 days as where i stand now ALL my pain is gone EVERYTHING i feel for the first time in nearly 6 years i feel normal, my brain is flooding me with thoughts of doing things i honestly belived i could never do it was if i held back these thoughts as i knew i couldnt, i just wish to say Gabapentin saved my life in more ways than 1, if i can help atleast 1 person from reccomending this drug than i am happy.

 

[pvxlkvsm]

Welcome back amongst you friends Ryback!

I'm sorry you went through hell before finding this pain management drug, I hope it continues to work for you in the long term and if it does'nt, You know where we all are.

All the very best

SPINELF

 

[kpwqslfi]

Yep, what works for one doesn't always work for another, but all information is good I don't like taking meds, but what else can one do?

 

[mommy 2010]

I don't like taking meds, but what else can one do?[/quote]

What you could do is to be given a full, complete, fully funded NHS investigation and tests, with a fast, full, freindly and detailed consultation followed by a minimally invasive, endoscopic laser decompression surgery
at your local spine unit -----------------AAAAH, listen, I'm sorry, I'm just being stupid, All this is ridiculas, cloud cockoo land, it will never happen lol ---- or will it? mmmmmmm


All the best Cassie

Elfie

 

[Whoaaa33]

Putting that on my Christmas Wish List xxxx

 

[Willow Born 2.2.10<3 (:]

Hi all glad to be back , but not for long i have to see neuro surgeon on Monday turns out i need another operation on the disc above the 1 i just had lol.
Seems it's not uncommon to have the 1 above go now it's getting more strain apparently, i had a good long chat with my GP, he put me at ease and spent a long while talking to me about options. very nice chap

 

[denissnowy]

Thats a shame, are you getting pain again then?

 

[Shiite Zionist]

Unfortunatley yes i am, but it's not terribly bad with the gabapentin but they only do so much, i asked the doctor if i would ever be 'fixed' as im only 29 and have had this for coming on for 6 years now. He said our best hope is to make you pain free but i will always have trouble with it, atleast he was honest lol.
Atleast i have Christmas to look forward to, all that extra ale and food will do me wanders im sure

 

[Norma]

Seems it's not uncommon to have the 1 above go now it's getting more strain apparently,

If the weight and stress transferrence at the post operative stage, is not uncommon, why the 'bloody hell' didn't the Surgeon operate on both levels when he/she was in there the first time round? The incision is big enough!

These 'wise after events' consultations really 'wind me up',
for the lack of a thorough assesment, you now have to undergo a second operation. I'm gutted for Ryback!

Best Wishes

SPINELF