Have endured chronic back pain and injections and physical therapy for 3 yrs now. I can't even walk 1/2 hour at the grocery store without pain. Still chronic and bad. Just met with my neurologist today, I have RSS MS. ( mild). She read my most recent MRI: Severe facet degenerative change at L4-L5 identified with facet fluid indicating altered biomechanics. Small formainal disc herniation approaching the L-4 nerve root. She said she isn't sure what this means and to see pain management. I am sick of pain management. What are other options if any. Pain is relentless and affectins my quality of life...more than the m.s
Q: Options for a diagnosis of sciatica and abnormal MRI
Answers (2)
4/29/12 11:59am
Hi cdcap1119,
So sorry to hear that you are experiencing so much pain. Since your neurologist openly doesn't know what the MRI results mean and is already suggesting that you see someone else (eg. pain management), I recommend that you get a 2nd opinion.
Having these MRI results might change the recommended course of treatment from pain management and physical therapy. You should definitely start there. And then perhaps consult someone who deals with spinal degeneration. Maybe you will eventually need back surgery. I don't know.
But I do know what it's like to live with MS and it sounds like this pain is interfering with your ability to function much more than MS is. I wish I knew more to help you but you must know that we are medical professionals here.
I definitely think that you should get another opinion though. Good luck
4/29/12 9:47am
cdcap1119, Sounds like you have had a hard time with your back. I feel for you having had some problems there myself, it's so debilitating! You talk about seeing a neurologist, have they suggested that surgery might help? Have you seen a nerosurgeon? I think at this juncture, I would at least seek a second opinion and get someone else to look at those MRI results. Get a disc from the lab with the actual pictures on to take with you. By the way, you are in a rheumatoid arthritis forum - you might get more and better responses in another area. Is it RA that is causing your back problems? I know that the general wisdom is that RA doesn't target the lower back, but I can't help thinking that if there's a joint, RA can go there. Heck, it goes where there aren't any joints! Get yourself a second opinion and don't stop trying. You deserve to have your pain and disability treated.
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By cdcap1119— Last Modified: 04/29/12, First Published: 04/25/12
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