Cervical stenosis 'mystery man'

[the_aborigine]

My going to LSI was based on having my MRI reviewed at a seminar in Rhode Island. The physician saw the films, listened to me and said I was "definitely a candidate".

The surgical nurse who spoke to me first at the LSI facility was surprised I was there because I am not a "pain patient".

I'm not sure how much detail to go into, the specific facilities, doctor's names, etc.

I believe my condition is the result of a trauma in high school football (1977), helmet-to-helmet and I went to the ground feeling like I'd been hit by lightning. I was back-boarded and examined but I had no peripheral symptoms at the time. In fact, I played that weekend wearing a neck roll

I have disc compression and herniation and an osteophyte, cervical spine. In the MRI you can see the very subtle pressure on the spinal dura, just enough where the cerebral spinal fluid disappears. The images are taken when your lying down. The disc instability is enough where, if I walk or rake or vacuum I am disabled from the waist down in about 35 minutes. My symptoms (burning, clonus, hyperreflexivity) have been acknowledged to be cervical in origin.

I believe I am a candidate for MISS but I feel the Fibrin therapy may be very appropriate.

[jsewell]

Hi Aborigine
Funny , i am from Rhode Island and never hear much about the state except in jokes.
I understand more about what is going on now. Now i have no idea what fibrin therapy is so i must find out.
Judy

[Maria]

Aborigine..
I'm from Mass. Used to live in Somerset and walk across the bridge to Fall River.. know where that is?? It was little Portugal as I recall back when we were living there (I was in my teens back then and am nearly 60 now).

Have you had any good consults in Boston by any chance? Please let us know if you decide on a certain procedure and how you fare.

I orig injured my spine in the early 80's.. I think my choices are limited now just based on number of years with probs .. unless a terribly new injury tho most of what bothers me is from the past~

Would like to hear more about the Fibrin therapy should you undergo this.

Best and take care ~ Maria

[karreymetris]

Are you talking aboue Laser Spine Institute in Florida?

[the_aborigine]

Originally Posted by karreymetris

Are you talking aboue Laser Spine Institute in Florida?

Philly, but, yeah . . .

OK, folks. Did a search here, did not find anything; 4 surgery groups, 2 neurologists, 3 chiropractors, no one said,"maybe you should look into disc decompression therapy."

I'm at work one day talking to our sales guy who's not in the office much, describing what I'm dealing with and he says,"the chiropractor I see has a machine for that I think."

I started SpineMED therapy 12/4/13. It's expensive and not covered, not FDA approved. I go everyday, 30 min session with heat before, ice afterwards. And today I can say I am pretty sure I am quantifiably better.

Has no one else heard of this??!!

[Maria]

I have heard of it as I'm sure here in SoCal there must be machines like this but I've not actually known anyone that goes.

Tell us more if you're so inclined. What does a daily 30 minute session involve? What is the out of pocket cost?

glad to read that you are improved! I wonder if imaging would show any difference in findings after the amount of treatment to date?

[the_aborigine]

Originally Posted by Maria

Tell us more if you're so inclined. What does a daily 30 minute session involve?

I show up, heat is applied to the neck, climb on the table, 1/2 hour treatment of computer controlled cervical traction. Not painful but not 'comfortable' per se. At the end, ice is applied. I am now also doing some light leg rehab exercises.

Originally Posted by Maria

What is the out of pocket cost?

Mine is a package, covers treatments until recovery, not totally sure what that means but they've said some folks have gone for months, approx $2K

Originally Posted by Maria

I wonder if imaging would show any difference in findings after the amount of treatment to date?

Me too but I ain't gonna pay to see

[Ringo]

You can buy a similar device I think on ebay. I did that in PT and it works but doesn't last. My head feels great when I do it. The home device works by filling a jug or water bottle and hanging it on a door or something. Doing it that way is more affordable. Terry

Originally Posted by the_aborigine

Philly, but, yeah . . .

OK, folks. Did a search here, did not find anything; 4 surgery groups, 2 neurologists, 3 chiropractors, no one said,"maybe you should look into disc decompression therapy."

I'm at work one day talking to our sales guy who's not in the office much, describing what I'm dealing with and he says,"the chiropractor I see has a machine for that I think."

I started SpineMED therapy 12/4/13. It's expensive and not covered, not FDA approved. I go everyday, 30 min session with heat before, ice afterwards. And today I can say I am pretty sure I am quantifiably better.

Has no one else heard of this??!!

[Ringo]

Did they do flexion and extension x-rays on your neck. You might have a profound instability. You symptoms sound like cervical spondolosis with some intermittant myelopathy. Get a neurologist to look at you and tell him what is going on. Ask him if you are having some type of intermittant myelopathy. I am not an expert but that is what I would do. Usually myelopathy from cervical spondolosis happens real slowly over time. You might be starting to experience it and it just hasn't gotten to the point where they think you are a surgical canidate. I think that I have similar symptoms. My neck is trashed and I get weird stuff happening in my legs but I have also had 4 back surgeries. I will see a physiatrist in about a month and I will be seeing someone that specializes in migrains as well. When my neck gets real bad I tend to loose a little feeling in my hands and feet and I sort of feel like I walk funny. But, my doctor has me parade around the room and says you look fine to me. They're terds! Just sort of joking.... Any MD's out there need not take it too serious. They have to go by the book and untill you cross the magical red line, they typically won't touch you or shouldn't touch you. You have something going on. Severe flexion or extension can damage the cord and cause problems also but, I would think they would be more constant or permanent. All just my humble opinion based on my own experiences. Take care, Terry

Originally Posted by the_aborigine

My going to LSI was based on having my MRI reviewed at a seminar in Rhode Island. The physician saw the films, listened to me and said I was "definitely a candidate".

The surgical nurse who spoke to me first at the LSI facility was surprised I was there because I am not a "pain patient".

I'm not sure how much detail to go into, the specific facilities, doctor's names, etc.

I believe my condition is the result of a trauma in high school football (1977), helmet-to-helmet and I went to the ground feeling like I'd been hit by lightning. I was back-boarded and examined but I had no peripheral symptoms at the time. In fact, I played that weekend wearing a neck roll

I have disc compression and herniation and an osteophyte, cervical spine. In the MRI you can see the very subtle pressure on the spinal dura, just enough where the cerebral spinal fluid disappears. The images are taken when your lying down. The disc instability is enough where, if I walk or rake or vacuum I am disabled from the waist down in about 35 minutes. My symptoms (burning, clonus, hyperreflexivity) have been acknowledged to be cervical in origin.

I believe I am a candidate for MISS but I feel the Fibrin therapy may be very appropriate.