| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Mando1 |
Posted - 08/27/2007 : 22:17:47
1. Severe central canal stenosis at l4-5 secondary to a 10.0mm disc herniation and anular tear of the disc with associated mild compression of the traversing L5 and S1 nerve roots bilaterally as discussed above.
2.Mild central canal stenosis at L3-4 secondary to a 7.0 mm broad-based disc herniation.
3.A 2.0mm bulging of disc at L2-3 without central canal or neural foraminial stenosis.
And the doctor gave me a Spinal Surgery booklet.
Is this bad?
when he told me i was dissapointed but then i kept telling myslef that ,that isnt the cause of my pain.. |
| 8 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| lidge |
Posted - 10/09/2007 : 19:26:15
I'm still caught in the trap and in horrid pain. But some things are clear to me after my endless MRIs. I may have pain from some of the things found on my cervical MRI and perhaps even that one herniated L4-L5 has bent me over in endless pain. But even that is in doubt.
But I can clearly see that you will never get an MRI report that isn't at least a full page. If nothing noteworthy is found, they will fill it up with all sorts of other potential problems, recommendations for future MRIs, etc. They are clearly overwritten. I could go into details of some of the ones I just had but too much to print.
It is clear that they will never say this or that is absolutely fine.
That might fill up a few lines.
Maybe they need to keep the typists busy too.
And yes, hearing them catastrophize the findings only makes us feel worse. Totally agree with Mizlori on that. I have been on
the end of endless "nocebo" effects.
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| ralphyde |
Posted - 08/30/2007 : 10:50:05
Here's another quote by Dr. Marc Sopher about the benefits and dangers of MRIs and CT Scans:quote:
"With the availability of CT and now MRI scanners, it is possible to obtain remarkable images of the body. That is the good news. The bad news is that many of these images will be reported as abnormal - one study reported in the New England Journal of Medicine that greater than 60% of spine MRIs showed abnormalities, the same percentage in those without pain as with pain. Virtually every person over 20 who has a spine MRI will be told they have degenerative disc disease, disc herniation, degenerative changes, or some other abnormality. As these findings are present equally, no matter whether symptoms exist, it is Dr. Sarno's and my contention that these are incidental, rarely the cause for pain. Unfortunately, physicians are taught to find a physical cause for physical symptoms and thus tell their patients about their "back problem."
"Being told that you have a "problem" or "condition" can aid the "nocebo response." This is the opposite of the placebo response. With a placebo, belief in a worthless remedy can provide relief, almost always temporary, due to the desire to be well and faith in the value of the remedy. With a nocebo, symptoms will persist or intensify as a result of being informed, incorrectly, that a significant defect or problem is to blame. This is a critical part of conditioning - coming to believe that certain actions, circumstances, or aspects of the environment are the cause of symptoms, when in fact the cause lies in the mind."
Hope this helps to banish the fear your MRI has given you.
Ralph |
| ralphyde |
Posted - 08/30/2007 : 10:34:10
quote:
Unfortunately, if your physician does not consider TMS in the process of generating a differential diagnosis of your symptoms, it is possible that he or she will give an incorrect diagnosis. This occurs all too frequently as a physical cause is mistakenly offered. This results in a treatment plan that is often unsuccessful. As an example, many people with back pain are told that their symptoms are due to a herniated disc or disc degeneration, when in fact these findings are often incidental and normal. This helps to explain why physical therapy, medications, and surgery are often unsuccessful." To Be or Not to Be... Pain Free Dr. Marc Sopher, pp 5-7
Hope this helps. Also, the lawyer in the Sarno 20/20 video was diagnosed with seven herniated discs, but was able to recover rapidly in Dr. Sarno's program.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6660313127569317147
Don't worry about a herniated disc, it's a non-issue.
Ralph |
| mamaboulet |
Posted - 08/30/2007 : 09:57:12
Maybe it is a combination of having read a lot of Carl Jung as a young adult and being a geologist, but I find Dr. Sarno's ideas to be logical, firmly rooted in knowledge about both mind and body, and very insightful about the human condition. And he has tons of clinical evidence. Doubt is part of being human, and following an "unpopular" idea can keep it hovering, but Dr. Sarno's ideas are so firmly rooted in real, measurable, reasonable, rational concepts that I feel no need to "believe." Maybe it's because I'm an atheist (the simple kind, lacking in belief) that I have no interest in faith-based Sarno. Who needs faith when there is plenty of real evidence and research? |
| mizlorinj |
Posted - 08/30/2007 : 09:11:51
Overcome the fear. Easier said than done, I know. When I was told I had a LARGE herniation at L5 S1 and that if the steriods and p/t didn't work, I'd need a discectomy (or whatever it's called), I was scared to death! I actually felt more pain at that point. So bad I could no longer roll myself over in bed (or get up, out, etc.). I felt the hot sweat come over me after the results were told to me and I cried for hours.
BTW, Dr. Sarno said no anti-inflamms are needed because nothing is inflamed! But pain meds can help you cope a bit. I took one vicotin and it helped, but after that one no more did so I got writing. Immediately.
Address your issues. Probe. Start writing. I have found as I write down something I'm angry about, the pen just keeps on going and I'm amazed at what comes out. That is my best suggestion as it worked for me. Believe that the normal "abnormalities" are NOT the cause of your pain.
I am 100% better. Very grateful for that. I've learned to address every issue that seems not to sit right. I write in a journal at least a few times a week to keep my head clear. It works but you must believe it for it to work. No matter how bad the pain is.
I have read Candace Pert's 2 books (whom Dr. Sarno credits for the bodymind term) and have been even more convinced of the connection between our brains and bodies.
-lori |
| Mando1 |
Posted - 08/28/2007 : 10:06:54
When he told me i got mad but i didnt think that was the cause of the pain until this morning. I was gettingg scared. But im kinda better. What can i do so i wont think like that? |
| mamaboulet |
Posted - 08/28/2007 : 08:02:31
surgeons always choose surgery. It's what gives their lives meaning. In all my years of hearing people talk about their bad backs and surgery, I don't think I've heard one person say that the surgery made them "better" or took away the pain. Funny, that. |
| stanfr |
Posted - 08/28/2007 : 01:22:11
it's probably not much different than what an MRI report would read from anyone randomly pulled off the street--doesnt sound bad to me, sounds like some surgeon is looking for a new car. |
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