C-Spine MRI and neurosurgeon consult

[Jack-of-all-trades]

I tried to post this last night but it has been a while since I started a post. I don't think it went up. I was still in a bit of shock last night after spending all day with the MRI and neurosurgeon.

I'm still trying to figure out how to take the results as it caught me kind of off guard. He said my whole C-Spine was pretty much trashed and he suggested I try steroid injections, even opiates. This is from one of the most hard nosed anti-opiate people on our planet. I told him I really didn't want to go that way again, especially long term. Base on the uninfused (no dye) MRI, he couldn't really tell whether there is one pain generator or multiple ones. There are osteophyte formations, spurs and degenerated vertebral end plates, most prominent in the lower levels. He didn't think surgery had anything to offer right now except fusing the entire C-spine. What really did not make my day was the finding of a marble sized mass of some sort that is not on but inside of the spinal cord at the C1-C2 level that was not on my C-Spine MRI in 2007 when I had encephalitis. He wants me to go have an infused MRI of my brain, C-Spine, and T-Spine including chest as soon as they can schedule it.

It was one of those times when the surgeon goes humm, humm, I not sure what that is. I need to talk to the radiologist. I'm stuck looking over his should on a computer monitor. I couldn't see very well but well enough to see what he was talking about. It was not calcified, i.e. the same density of bone. I'm not that good telling density from MRIs but it looked more cystic, or tissue but it was not something that is suppose to be in my spinal cord. He tells me just enough to scare the poo out of me. It has not been to many months since I was freaking over a high PSA of 9.8 that ended up normal after treating a UTI and passing three small kidney stones. Hopefully this will end up being something that is much to do about nothing as well.

As I type this my old nemesis the Red Headed Woodpecker is pounding on the side of our house. It is a brick house with vinyl siding under the roof overhangs and aluminum gutters without any exposed wood to harbor insects. I have heard this is some sort of mating call. He seasons are totally out of wack as it gets into the 20s nightly around here. When he pecks on the gutters it sounds like we have been opened up on by an AK-47. If he wasn’t so pretty, I would have long ago dispatched him with a load of number 6 shot from my shotgun.

The surgeon's office called me today and said my infused MRIs are scheduled next Tuesday. It will take three hours of being in the tube. I'm going to insist on a few breaks or maybe even the open MRI as I don't have enough joints in my arms to get to my face with my hand. This is usually when I have something itch. Guys always have to scratch an itch

[Justin]

I'm still trying to figure out how to take the results as it caught me kind of off guard. He said my whole C-Spine was pretty much trashed and he suggested I try steroid injections, even opiates. This is from one of the most hard nosed anti-opiate people on our planet. I told him I really didn't want to go that way again, especially long term. Base on the uninfused (no dye) MRI, he couldn't really tell whether there is one pain generator or multiple ones. There are osteophyte formations, spurs and degenerated vertebral end plates, most prominent in the lower levels. He didn't think surgery had anything to offer right now except fusing the entire C-spine. What really did not make my day was the finding of a marble sized mass of some sort that is not on but inside of the spinal cord at the C1-C2 level that was not on my C-Spine MRI in 2007 when I had encephalitis. He wants me to go have an infused MRI of my brain, C-Spine, and T-Spine including chest as soon as they can schedule it.

Mike, I'm sorry your cervical spine is "trashed" as per your surgeon. I do hope the mass is benign and that the MRI will help determine what's going on.

The surgeon's office called me today and said my infused MRIs are scheduled next Tuesday. It will take three hours of being in the tube. I'm going to insist on a few breaks or maybe even the open MRI as I don't have enough joints in my arms to get to my face with my hand. This is usually when I have something itch. Guys always have to scratch an itch

Good luck with the "marathon long" MRI next Tuesday. Keep us posted, as we do care...hang in there buddy.

[jss]

Jack,

I can imagine what a shock that news brought. Here's hoping that it's going to be "much to do about nothing".

Try not to let your mind run wild until you get a diagnosis AND a confirmation of that diagnosis. I had two consecutive MRIs (2008 and 2009) that showed a fluid filled cavity in the center of my spinal cord at my worst level, C6/7. Two doctors diagnosed it as a syringomyelia, and another myelomalacia. Three of the four doctors I saw said not to worry about it if I was going to have the continuing "trauma" that C6/7 was causing on my spinal cord fixed soon. I had ADR at that level one year ago this past Thanksgiving and have no noticeable symptoms today; unless that's what's causing the persistent numbness in my left hand. I was familiar with syringomyelia from my pre-med training, but had never heard of myelomalacia. Because of the progression of the latter, it obviously wasn't that. If it was syringomyelia it hasn't worsened, and shouldn't since my spinal cord has been decompressed. I hope that provides you with some more hope that this may be "nothing"; and of course we all hope that is the case.

We'll all be looking forward to an update when they figure this out.

Oh. And good luck with the woodpecker. Maybe it will score tonight and leave ya'll in peace.

Good luck, Jeff

[Cindylou]

Mike, I am sorry about such unsettling news as well. It's going to seem like forever waiting for this MRI w/contrast next week. You're gonna have to stay as busy and distracted as possible. I would definitely need some breaks for an MRI that long too. I used to not have any problem with the closed in feeling of an MRI compartment. Yet, lately, as I've gotten older, I seem to be getting more anxious during them, and have even needed a Xanax every now and then to calm me. I hope you fair better than me. Keep us posted Michael. I pray this is nothing of consequence. As Justin said, we really do care about you. Cindylou

[Gilbert P]

Mike I am so sorry for the news I know you will search for the best procedure.

Spine issues are a test of our strength as a group we can get through it.

Take Care

Gil

[KBear]

Jack- So sorry for the bad spinal news. That is definitely a long MRI, I did a L & C-spine at the same time once and I was in so much pain when it was over from having to lay still, it was unreal. Definitely insist on breaks (maybe a sedative- LOL), need to stretch and move around.
Hope your woodpecker takes a break, that would definitely be annoying. We have birds that sit atop our fireplace and sing loudly for hours at a time in the Spring that will make me insane some days.
Praying for you,
Kathy

[Katie]

Jack, I too am so sorry about your consult results, but will come back in a bit with some feedback on that.

For now, re: Woody Woodpecker....often these pesky birds can be discouraged from hanging around if you put a big plastic owl or two in strategic areas.

Hang in there...there is probably a reasonable explanation for that cyst that doesn't involve bad scenarios.

[Katie]

Hey Jack, I'm back...with coffee in hand

Not to minimize the newest report you received, but I'd like to add my latest experience and hope it gives another perspective. I just got a new CT scan (at a newly renovated hospital with fancy new equipment) and the report I received was much, much worse than the last CT scan I had a year ago.

My new family doctor was stunned...he said I had the spine of a seventy year old, one that was ridden hard all her life and put away wet in horse lingo He'd never seen a spine as bad as mine after over thirty years in the business. I laughed and told him that was after I got fixed!

I asked about the discrepancy/change in the two reports and he did say that some of it could be attributed to the zealousness of the different radiologist, and the better equipment picking up more problems. Either way, my back is what it is and has been all along, with no new pain issues.

In that same CT scan, the doctor discovered a moderate sized cyst on my thyroid, again something that was not there last year. I've since had an ultrasound, and my doc called me last night at 7 pm to tell me that it doesn't seem to be problematic, but I need another US in six months.

We all know that every report we get is often different from the last, even when done fairly close together. Mild vs moderate facets, etc. It's been put down to how each doctor interprets them. I hope there is something of this in the new report you received.

As to the part where your doc just recommended taking pain meds instead of further treatment, that is the same I received from very 'well respected' doctors all over this province. Ones that were at the top of their game here. I pushed on and found successful treatment as you know. I hope that you can find some resolution soon, better than what you are imagining.

All the best, Jack.

[Jack-of-all-trades]

Had the three hour MRI today. I had three much needed breaks. The first hour was the worst. Toward the end of the first hour I started getting neck and shoulder muscle cramps from have to hold still. My shoulders were wall to wall and couldn't move much even if I wanted to. The last two hours I just daydreamed. I use to be good at that in elementary school, or at least so I was told. Time went by lot faster.

I haven't gotten any results yet. The techs are not allowed to tell you anything and my interrogation skills met a dead end with those two. I'm calling my neuro guy tomorrow and see if I can get them fired up. I did get a copy of the studies on a CD. Of note was the fact that in their description they called it a "brain tumor". I suppose it could be called that as it's location is in the lower brain stem just proximal to the odontoid (top of C1) inside of the spinal cord.

Like Jeff suggested I looked up syringomylemia and myelomalacia. These are still possibilities, but now look a little farther down on the differential list of possibilities. I'm trying to get the official word but doesn't look good right now from what little I know about reading MRIs. It almost seems like it has a finger trying to spread out the rear or something has leaked out the rear. I'm not asking for interpretations, but maybe a prayer.

[Lynda]

Mike, my prayers are with you right now and I am sorry you are going through this experience. I can understand how you must be feeling; my brain tumour was picked up incidentally when I was being investigated for vertigo and also being considered for cervical surgery. It all felt sureal for me, the time from diagnosis to surgery was not pleasant. The cervical surgery was put on hold as the resection of my tumour took priority and all I could do was go with the flow.

I can see what you mean on the scan about the projection to the rear and I hope you get a definative diagnosis soon and can then face can whatever is ahead. You'll be in my thoughts and I hope you get the results tomorrow as not knowing can be so tormenting.

Thinking of you and sending positive vibes

Lynda