MRI showed degeneration in c-spine

Artifacts on film..is a structure or feature not normally present but visible as a result of an external agent or action, such as one seen in a microscopic specimen after fixation, or in an image produced by radiology or electrocardiography. This is not something to worry about. Sometimes scratches get on the films and they need to redo the study to make sure that the films are clear for asssessment. Even motion can cause artifact on films. I cant imagine that an artifact would be confused with degeration.
I also want to let you know that just because a lyme titre comes out negative..does not mean that you have not been exposed to Lyme. Be aware that they are different types of Lyme. The disease itself varies widely in its appearance. There are many possible physical symptoms, such as rash, flu-like symptoms, neurologic, arthritic, and cardiac manifestations – to name a few. Although there are technically no other literal types of Lyme disease, there are however other clinical types of Lyme disease such as Lyme arthritis and neuroborreliosis. I dont want to ramble on,..I just want you to understand that the Lyme testss can be misinterpreted..and even though you are told you are negative, you may indeed be positive. There are also false positives that show up also.

The exact cause of rheumatoid arthritis currently is unknown. In fact, there probably isn’t an exact cause for RA. Researchers now are debating whether RA is one disease or several different diseases with common features. We do know that the body’s immune system plays an important role in rheumatoid arthritis. In fact, RA is referred to as an autoimmune disease because people with RA have an abnormal immune system response. In a healthy immune system, white blood cells produce antibodies that protect the body against foreign substances. People who have RA have an immune system that mistakes the body’s healthy tissue for a foreign invader and attacks it. One example of this miscommunication in the body is known as rheumatoid factor. Rheumatoid factor is an antibody that is directed to regulate normal antibodies made by the body. It works well in people with small quantities of rheumatoid factor. People with high levels of rheumatoid factor, however, may have a malfunctioning immune system. This is why your doctor often will request a test measuring rheumatoid factor when trying to diagnose RA. In general, the higher the level of rheumatoid factor present in the body, the more severe the disease activity is. It is important to note that not all people with RA have an elevated rheumatoid factor and not all people with an elevated rheumatoid factor have RA. The test also can come out negative if it is done too early in the course of the disease. Approximately 20 percent of people with RA will have a negative rheumatoid factor test and some people who don’t have RA will test positive.
It isnt uncommon to have deformed bones in the spine..as long as they do not press on the nerves. Spina biffida occulta is a condition where pieces of bone are missing in the spine..and people can live with neveer having any type of problems, but the risk exists when there are malformations of bone in the spine and it should be watched.
Polymyalgia rheumatica is a rheumatic disorder associated with moderate-to-severe musculoskeletal pain and stiffness in the neck, shoulder, and hip area. A diagnosis of polymyalgia rheumatica is based primarily on the patient’s medical history and symptoms, and on a physical examination. No single test is available to definitively diagnose polymyalgia rheumatica. However, doctors often use lab tests to confirm a diagnosis or rule out other diagnoses or possible reasons for the patient’s symptoms. So, in essence this is just a guess based on ruling out other disease processses that carry the same symptoms. Most people with this do have an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (what we call SED rate). Before making a diagnosis of polymyalgia rheumatica, the doctor may order additional tests. For example, the C-reactive protein test is another common means of measuring inflammation. There is also a common test for rheumatoid factor, an antibody (a protein made by the immune system) that is sometimes found in the blood of people with rheumatoid arthritis. While polymyalgia rheumatica and rheumatoid arthritis share many symptoms, those with polymyalgia rheumatica rarely test positive for rheumatoid factor. Therefore, a positive rheumatoid factor might suggest a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis instead of polymyalgia rheumatica.
Degeneration of the spine or osteoarthritis... is one of the common causes of back pain. Spinal arthritis is the mechanical breakdown of the cartilage between the aligning facet joints in the back portion of the spine that quite often leads to mechanically induced pain. The facet joints become inflamed and progressive joint degeneration creates more frictional pain. Bone spurs can form and cause more pain and make the spine unstable. RA can cause this to happen..as can increased weight, aging, genetics..and women more then men get this. Most osteoarthritis treatments are focused on reducing the pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis and maintaining the joint mobility and flexibility needed to continue with necessary and desired activities. It is clear that a combination of proper exercise, joint mobility, weight control, nutrition and use of appropriate medication is required to control osteoarthritis.
I do hope that you are able to get some correct answers to that you can move forward with the proper management of that condition. Don't give up and continue to ask questions and seek other opinions. Don't settle for just a guess unless you get a second opinion that agrees.
be well
IceDrop