Almost speechless...

[Crankin]

I am not starting a separate thread for the results of my MRI, since I didn't really talk about it here, too much. So, it was kind of what I expected.It shows some age related degenerative disc issues, which are worse than 10 years ago. There is some disc bulging, but no nerve involvement. The message from my doctor, via the nurse was continue with PT, I will authorizemore sessions. If that doesn't make a difference, here is the name of a spine doc... DR. Spinelli (which I thought was hysterical), who is qute well known around here.
Riding has been fine. My tabata class today exacerbated the symptoms a bit, but I am learning what exactly sets it off. I brought my travel foam roller to work and used it 3X today! Icing and stretching now.

[Catrin]

So glad you can ride! I hear you about it being too much. It is interesting that he passed along the reference to a spine doc via a third party - well -not in person. May you never need that reference! I've been putting this off myself since the mtb crash in 2011. So glad your figuring out what works, and doesn't for you.

[Crankin]

That's the way my practice works. It's a very large group, they do almost everything in house (lab, x ray). In the past, I think there was somewhat of a negative reputation, but there are a lot of new, younger doctors there and I have not had anything but professional interaction. You do need to advocate for yourself and know how it all works. I really like my PCP; she is conservative in her approach to everything. It was not necessary for me to go back and see her for the referral. I have a PT appt. for Tuesday morning, before work, and before I go to CA Thursday, for my son's graduation.
Today I also went to see my endocrinologist, since somehow, I didn't go back to her after my last Prolia treatment for ossteoporosis, in 2014. It worked well, but latest scan shows bad regression. I will be restarting the Prolia and now the protocol has changed... it had just been approved when I took it before and they didn't really know what happened when you stayed on it indefinitely. Apparently it's OK. My doc has 300 people on it and only 5 have had to stop.
Too much medical stuff today. And one of my friends, who is really well meaning was trying to talk to me like i have some terrible thing wrong with me, concerning my back. She is appalled with the stuff I do at the gym, although she does ride. I love her, but all she talks about is who has what disease!She wanted me to call her tonight, but I did not, and opted to enjoy my quinoa bowl and glass of white wine.

[Catrin]

So I've a better idea now regarding the extent of the neck surgery. I need an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion - but only 1 disc is involved. There ARE others that could be included but he thought there was a lot of tread left on those discs and they may never present a problem. Only a week or so off work...which means the shoulder will be fixed in mid-fall. I really liked the spine surgeon, his manner may not be the most polished but he was very kind and careful that I understood everything - down to what was in those expensive pictures they took last week! Apparently I won't notice the fusion since he said my cervical spine is effectively fused already from all of the large osteophytes, etc.

Both scary and a relief at the same time. I guess that last part means it's time to get it fixed!

[Pax]

That is wonderful news, Catrin! So glad he explained things and it's not as awful as it might have been.

I was thinking of you this morning when I had my mammogram, she asked me if I had shoulder issues and said how difficult it can be for women who do (3D mammogram).

[Crankin]

Good news, Catrin. Glad the timetable is faster than you thought it would be.

[Catrin]

Good news, Catrin. Glad the timetable is faster than you thought it would be.

Yes, and I'm glad he is being conservative and he isn't trying to remove all of those others that are also heading south - but they aren't there yet. Who knows if they will be? I'm more concerned over the shoulder surgery recovery at this point but we will see. I suspect that will be a more "normal" surgery recovery time-line. I refuse to worry about more than one surgery at a time!