Neck MRI results

[Pax]

Glad you got some sleep! And such a lovely way to get it.

[salsabike]

To amuse and inspire you, here is my favorite image about this. My husband found it on the internet some months ago (we've searched and searched but can't find an attribution) and said to me, "This totally reminds me of what you do when you've been injured. You may have to change what you do but you NEVER GIVE UP." Best compliment I ever got.



I figure if we can do our best to keep that kind of attitude as long as we can...we'll keep figuring out something we can do. We might not know what it is today. But we'll find it.

[Catrin]

Great image Salsa, thanks. Yeah, I totally agree with that attitude

My coach told me of someone he once knew who wound up in a body cast for some period of time. He was in pretty good condition when they finally released him from it, he had focused on a regime of deliberate muscle contractions and it worked well to prevent his muscles from atrophy. We will keep figuring it out!

[FlyingScot]

2001 Herniated C3-4, herniated C 4-5, herniated and ruptured C 5-6, bulging C 6-7. Severe foraminal stenosis with spinal cord compression. Neural root compression. Severe radiculopathy. Complete reversal of my lordotic curve. The initial injury happened in June. By the time I went to the doctor in October I had irreversible nerve damage. This isn't something that gets better. I ended up in emergency surgery to decompress my spinal cord (discectomy and fusion with cadaver bone) I have almost constant nerve pain and a left-sided weakness which might have been prevented had I not been so stubborn and taken care of things sooner. Things I can still do;cycle, hike, race sailboats, downhill ski, skate, rock climb, rappel, swim, highland dance, Olympic style weight lifting, circuit train, Zumba. Things I can't do; ummmm nothing. What changes have I made? I can do everything I want to do but I have to be more mindful of using good body positioning and mechanics. So now you know at least one person for whom surgery was successful.

And I wanted to address the kettle ball thing. Because you will not know when your grip has become too weak I would not recommend any swing type exercises with this equipment. Not only can you hurt yourself but you could potentially hurt someone else if your grip breaks and you send it flying.

[Catrin]

Wow Flying Scot, just wow! So glad you're doing so well 15 years later after all that!

My situation has been long-term. It looks like that only real difference between you in 2001 and me now is I've only one herniation, the other disks are bulging only - outside of that our MRI results look remarkably similar. Apparently the herniation + nerve root compression are in an unusual place - leave it to me! Next is a neurological consult that will include a nerve/muscle interaction test to attempt to determine how permenant my damage may already be, and also to help us determine how quickly that surgery needs to be done I won't accept any bets of sooner over later...

I've had neurological symptoms since my MTB injury in 2011 and they've checked things from time to time. Sometimes I think having a high tolerance for pain and being stubborn can work against us as well as for us. I DO ignore things, especially if I don't want to hear the answer. I really didn't think things had progressed this far however, but such is life. Thanks for sharing your experience with me, it IS good to hear of your positive outcome.

[emily_in_nc]

Wow Catrin, so sorry to hear this news. My father-in-law had pretty severe cervical stenosis some years back. He was a woodcarver, gardener, and a very handy fix-it type guy, plus lifted weights at the Y and cycled. The stenosis eventually weakened his hands and caused numbness and tingling to the point that he could do almost none of his favorite activities. He did finally have the surgery and was much improved thereafter. He was a lot older than you when he reached that point, though, in his 70s.

I am sorry you are having to go through yet another limitation in your activities -- seems like you have given at the office already! :-(

[Catrin]

Thanks Emily, I must admit that it feels like I've a LOT going on to be only 56. However I don't give up, and I'm a lot better off than some. I suspect the surgery won't wait for my 70's though I am not saying much at work about it until there is more information.

Where do I apply for a neck transplant?