Result from MRI scan

lupin15

Had doctors appointment today she explained the MRI scan results to me.. Have problems with 3 disc...this she said 3, 4 and 5 but could be wrong. I have dics hermiat and minor exit formamine stenosis.(excuse spelling not sure if i have that right.) Have been told not to attempt running...(must admit it had crossed my mind...stupid i know) Not allowed to lift heavy weights. It will explain the problem i had earlier this year when i had really bad pins and needles, pain etc in my face and arm. I had moved loads of heavy boxes up into the attic which must have triggered the attack.
Due to my stomach problems and the probs i had with tramdol keeping me awake...she has put me on amitriptyline 10mg. not sure quite how i feel about taking this....i know it can take upto a month to work and may help me sleep better. Do not quite understand how it helps with the pain...something to do with my pain been caused by nerve ending being swashed... I will have to live with the numbness in hands and pins and needles...this also explains what has been going on with my feet. Feel relieved that a lot of the problems i am having are to do with my spine but it is quite a scary thought as well. Now do i tell work.... or just avoid lifting??? A lot to take in..

dreamdaisy

Oh dear, poor you, what a lot to take in. I cannot help with much of it but I have learned from here that the amytryp is a muscle relaxant, that is why it helps with sleep. Those that take it tend to down it generally between 7 and 8pm, it takes a while to kick in and avoids the 'hungover' feeling the next morning.

As for work I always think that honesty is the best policy. If people don't know the situation they cannot help but I guess that all depends very much on the working relationship you have at your school. Are the powers-that-be understanding and helpful, or not? I wish you well. DD

tjt6768

Hi Lupes.. At least you have some answers, I know that it is no concellation hun..
As for work you must be honest with them, do your normal duties involve running or heavy lifting if so then you will have to discuss changing things at work, I think (might be wrong) that should be a matter for HR if not easily solved.

So, you won't be jogging down the A1 with a bucket of tea for me then :?: :shock:

skezier

Hi Lupin,

That's a lot to take in.... its a huge amount to take in. i know cus well i had a similar thing. I was still young and they sorted a fair bit out with surgery but can never mend the 'broken' nerves and my neck they wont touch.

Its a hard one with work.... I agree honesty is the best thing but it does sort of depend on what your doing and how nice the employers are i think? I condense mine into saying the back and neck have gone, saves trying to explain the narrowing nerves etc. I kinda lucky though cus i am self employed.

The Ampi seems to help and a good drug. I was put on pregabalin and it really helped cus it blocks the nerve receptors in your brain so you no longer know it hurts and they said that cus of them I don't need the ampi's. must mean they are as good really?

You need a bit of time flower to process that lot and just hang in there and hopefully it will settle and you will have a clearer idea as to what to do re work. Cris x

julie47

Hi lupin.....It is all confusing when the medical people start to explain in their language what is happening. I too have problems with the discs and forget if it is c3 and c4 or c4 and c5. It is sometimes just too much information to absorb.

I hope the amytrip helps you , I am not on it now but have been in the past. I can remember, for me it made me drowsy during the day.

I also agree that you should explain to your employers what the rhummy people told you. Hopefully they will understand and go out of their way to help you.

take care
juliepf x

lupin15

Not sure about theses tablets...felt spaced out all day so far and everything is an effort. Hubby thinks its fab as i have gone from manic to i cannot be bothered to move... wonder how long it takes to settle???

skezier

Hi Lupin,

Hang in there flower cus it takes a bit of time to get used to them. Hope you will soon find them easier to have. Cris x

barbara12

Hi Lupin
Im sorry to here this, I do hope they can help without surgery, I am waiting for my MRI results...not looking forward
I must say the amitryptalines have been a godsend...I take them around 7 oclock and by 10 they are starting to work.
I did feel abit groggy the day after but that soon wore off
I wish you well with it all, and dont forget know lifting.
Love
Barbara xx

lupin15

barbara12 wrote:

Hi Lupin
Im sorry to here this, I do hope they can help without surgery, I am waiting for my MRI results...not looking forward
I must say the amitryptalines have been a godsend...I take them around 7 oclock and by 10 they are starting to work.
I did feel abit groggy the day after but that soon wore off
I wish you well with it all, and dont forget know lifting.
Love
Barbara xx

How long did it take for the mushy head the next day take to stop??? It has only just now started to wear off ....think i took the tablet about 9pm.
The no lifting...what a nightmare...going to find that bit hard. Lifted a box and got through to the next class before i forgot i shouldn't have been lifting. So told the lass it was for her to have a look through so she could put it away. Not sure what kind of weight i should be ok with lifting....should have asked.ooppssss.

julie47

Morning lupin

Hope you dont have a fuzzy head today. Did you take the meds earlier last night?

Hopefully by monday your body will have got used to the new med.
Have a good weekend and enjoy the sunshine (dont fall asleep in it though)

Take care
Juliepf x

frogmorton

Hi Lupin

How you doing? Better today l hope.

First time l took my amitrip l was zonked out till 2pm!!!! had taken it at bedtime...now l take them at 8pm and they work fine...i think the theory is that you sleep and the muscles relax so they do start to hurt way less. Trust me it works and if it was for depression you would be on a bolt load more 100's of mgs

Try and stick with them a bit eh?

Love and hugs

toni xx

lupin15

Well must admit sleeping better normally awake ever hour throughout the night. Think i only woke up twice last night...which is unheard of so that is good. I will hang on in there with the drugs as i am on school hols so i do not have to be up early etc so this is a really good time to allow my body to get use to them. It will be interesting to see if they do take away the pain that i get...if it works great . Not sure that it will take away the numb feeling or pins and needles but time will tell. Well i am going to drag on ....out of bed have a brew and walk the dog...don't want to miss the wonderful weather we are having...

barbara12

lupin15 wrote:

barbara12 wrote:

Hi Lupin
Im sorry to here this, I do hope they can help without surgery, I am waiting for my MRI results...not looking forward
I must say the amitryptalines have been a godsend...I take them around 7 oclock and by 10 they are starting to work.
I did feel abit groggy the day after but that soon wore off
I wish you well with it all, and dont forget know lifting.
Love
Barbara xx

How long did it take for the mushy head the next day take to stop??? It has only just now started to wear off ....think i took the tablet about 9pm.
The no lifting...what a nightmare...going to find that bit hard. Lifted a box and got through to the next class before i forgot i shouldn't have been lifting. So told the lass it was for her to have a look through so she could put it away. Not sure what kind of weight i should be ok with lifting....should have asked.ooppssss.

Hi Lupin
I take them around 7... they have up them to 75mg but I was fine on 25...so I think I may stay on that,
Has for the lifting, I find that anything that pulls on my back...sorry but it can sometime not be very heavy....it has taken me a few years to be sensible....but after this bout of sciatica i am taking no chances.
Good Luck
Love
Barbara xx

toptottie10

Hiya Lupin, I am in the same situ as you, I got my MRI results a couple of weeks ago, I have a prolapsed disc at c5 causeing nerve compression, and two bulging discs at c4 and c3, am waiting for an appointment with a neck specialist at the Royal orthopedic hospital. I like you have terrible pins and needles and also loss of grip in my hands, the consultant who gave me the results said that I was not to lift anything heavier that a pint glass, this is really difficult and I tend to do things and then have to stop and think about what i'm doing. I know my spine is a huge issue as i'm already disabled with my lumber spine three discs there are shot, they would not do surgery at the time because of my age and the fact that it comes with a hole heap of big risks.So I will have to wait and see what they have to say when i go.....
gentle hugs XXX Sally XXX

lupin15

toptottie10 wrote:

Hiya Lupin, I am in the same situ as you, I got my MRI results a couple of weeks ago, I have a prolapsed disc at c5 causeing nerve compression, and two bulging discs at c4 and c3, am waiting for an appointment with a neck specialist at the Royal orthopedic hospital. I like you have terrible pins and needles and also loss of grip in my hands, the consultant who gave me the results said that I was not to lift anything heavier that a pint glass, this is really difficult and I tend to do things and then have to stop and think about what i'm doing. I know my spine is a huge issue as i'm already disabled with my lumber spine three discs there are shot, they would not do surgery at the time because of my age and the fact that it comes with a hole heap of big risks.So I will have to wait and see what they have to say when i go.....
gentle hugs XXX Sally XXX

Mine thankfully are not collapsed so no specialist for me thanks goodness but i was told by my GP when this happens that is when they do it is surgery... to relieve the pressure i think she said. My are in the same area as yours as well. I am going to ask how much weight i should be lifting when i go to see her at the end of the month. It is funny really because i have been having a pulling feeling in my neck for some time...but just put it down to sleepy awkwardly..... this maybe why i have not been sleeping well as well.
Let me know what happens as and when you are told and good luck ..

ironic

Hi Lupin,
You do have a lot to think about after your appointment. Sorry not much help to you but I just wanted to wish you well with the new meds. Fingers crossed you get used to them soon and you come out of the fog quickly.
Hugs,
Lv, Ix

lupin15

Well felt slightly better yesterday but head more mushy this morning.....did not sleep as well last night but hey hoy. Will give them a go for a month and see what happens but will talkwith doctor then. I am already taking a drug that did make me sleepy when i first took it and wondering if it is that is what is making the effect so strong!!!! I am sure there are other meds out there that can help just have to be patient....not one of my qualities i am afraid..

toptottie10

Hi Lupin, I will keep you posted I got my copy of the referral letter today and it has knocked me for six, i'm an emotional wreck, I have to wait for my appointment to come through, but somehow seeing it in black and white was a real smack in the jaw.....so to speak.........
gentle hugs Sally