Myelomalacia - I'm scared

Hello CC & welcome to the chronic pain forum. I read on this condition & certainly can understand your fears.

From what I read the spinal cord softens. The sooner this is caught the better. If this were me I would be be finding myself a board certified neurosurgeon as soon as possible. If you can also find one fellowship trained, even better. Neurosurgeons have more experience when it comes to dealing with the nerves & such. My PM dr uses only a neurosurgeon to implant pain pumps in his patients if a patient needs one. He says they have the best hands & I agree. Any time there is a possibility of spine surgery a neurosurgeon is who I would opt to go with. Think about it, if they can do something as delicate as brain surgery they have good hands.

What type of symptoms are you having & how long have you been having them? I know what you are reading is terrifying & in all honesty, I would stop trying to look for more info on this. The problem with trying to read up on this at several different sites they all say something different & it just scares & upsets you more which is not going to help. Get busy looking for an excellent neurosurgeon & see what he/she offers.

Keep us posted.

Thank you Susie and Vickie. I can't tell you ho much I appreciate your replies. I don't feel so alone now. I will post all the results of the MRI. My back is really messed up.

I'm going for an abdominal ultra sound shortly. Another problem.

Blessings,
Mary

Thank you Susie. This means a lot to me.

My PCP's office called and is sending me to a neurosurgeon this Friday. Needless to say my anxiety is sky-high. I've read so much about myelomalacia and all is so very terrible!

I had my aorta ultrasound this morning. Guess I'll get a call tomorrow. I've really been through nerve wracking days lately.

Again thank you so much.

I'm really upset now. I had an aorta ultrasound Thursday. The doctors office called and said I had to see a cardiovascular surgeon this Thursday at 8 AM. I have a 75% blockage of the right common iliac artery. Stenosis in other words. What more can go wrong! Well, a lot I'm sure. Looks like I'll be on another board now.

So, Thursday I see the cardiovascular surgeon, Friday I see the neurosurgeon! I guess they will flip a coin to see who gets me first!

Thank you for reading. Please say a prayer for me.

The good news is that likely explains one of the symptoms indicative of the spinal disorder being present and in a more progressed state. These days blockages can be a simple fix with some of the newer clot busting drugs,a small incision and a stent placement,or the very worse another small groin incision and angioplasty,the insertion of a catheter with a ballon on the end that actually passes through the artery widening it to allow for better blood flow. Lifestyle changes are the biggest treatment plan and I am sure you've already heard these things and will no doubt hear them again.

I can't begin to tell you kind people how much your messages mean to me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

My results of the ultrasound reads: "Greater than a 75% stenosis of the right common iliac artery. No aneurysmal dilation of the abdominal artery." I see the cardiovascular surgeon in the morning.

And of course the neurosurgeon appt is Friday at 3 PM. I think I[m more frightened of this surgery than the vascular one!

I am feeling a bit better and more hopeful that all will go well. I'm a devout Christian but sometimes I have to remind myself that God has complete control and I must trust that He is always with me, especially during the difficult times.

Thank you kindly,
Mary

Thank you so much for all the support. I am curious about one thing though - is mentioning God forbidden here? I certainly hope now. I respect non-believers and appreciate being respected for my belief. Thanks

I had wonderful news yesterday from the cardiovascular surgeon yeswterday! He said the common iliac artery was a very simple fix and since I didn't experience any pain, I didn't need surgery as I had very good blood flow! I thank God and give Him all the praise!

Today I had an appointment with a neurosurgeon for the myelomalacia. One hour and 15 minutes prior to my appointment, his office called and canceled my appointment and said that Dr. L had an NP or PA evaluate patients prior to his seeing them and I would have to wait until June 15 to see one. WHAT! I said when my PCP setup this appointment this was not mentioned to me. I then called my PCP and told him. Within 15 minutes, Dr. L's office called me and said, "Dr L has a canceled surgery this coming Tuesday and HE can see you then". Yeah, right! My PCP must have called Dr. L's office.

Anyway, I'm here now hoping someone might be able to help me understand my MRI report. Here is is:
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MRI SPINE CERVICAL WO CONTRAST

Craniovertebral Junction within normal limits. Vertebral height and alignment well maintained and marrow signal within normal limits. Multilevel anterior and posterior marginal spurring with concomitant disc desiccation ad minimal uniform loss of heitht at the C5 - 6 abd C6 - 7 levels. No acute fracture or subluxation. No paraspinous mass or loculated fluid collection.

C2 --3: Minimal posterior degenerative disc ridging without herniation or protrusion. Bilateral uncovertebtal osteophyte formation ad foraminal narrowing. No central stenosis.

C3 – 4: Minimal posterior disc degenetative ridging without herniation or protrusion. Bilateral uncovertebral osteophyte formation with mild right and moderate to severe left foraminal stenosis. No central stenosis.

C4 –5: Posterior degenerative ridging with slight central prominesve. No acquired central stenosis. Prominent uncovertebral osteophyte formation with mild bilateral foraminal stenosis.

C5 – 6: Prominent posterior osteophyte disc complex with effaced anterior subarachiod space. Slight flattening and posterior displacement of the cord without central stenosis. Midline AP diameter 1.1 cm. Uncovertebral osteophyte formation bilaterally with moderate to severe left and moderate foraminal stenosis. Heterogeneous increased signal within the cord consistent with myelomalacia.

C6 – 7: Posterior broad-based concentric disc ridging or bulge with effaced anterior subarachoid space, flattening and slight posterior displacement of the cord. Ho central stenosis and midline AP diameter is 1 cm. Heterogeneous signal within the cord consistent with myelomaliacia. Uncovertebral osteophyte formation with mild to moderate bilateral foraminal stenosis.

C7 – T1: Minimal disc desiccation. No herniation, protrusion or extrusion. Ho acquired stenosis.

Impression:

1. Multilevel spondylosis with most pronounced findings at the C5 – 6 and C6– 7 levels.

2. Minimally effaced cord with increased signal consistent with myelomalacia at the C5 –6 abd C6 – 7 levels.

3. Additional findings as above.
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I would really appreciate if someone could help me with all this.

Thank you very much,
Mary

I'm 72 Susie. I've been in really good health except for this neck issue which started back in January.

Yes, the cardiologist news was so welcome!

I'll go to SpineUniverse to see if I can learn about this problem.

Thanks again Susie,
Mary

Mary, I was hoping that you could read there about what is showing up on your MRI. With it being a holiday weekend most forums are very slow as a result. I thought perhaps you could look up the terms used in the MRI report & read what it meant. I did not realize they have an actual forum. I am with Vickie, you being 72 your bones are in great shape, wow. You have the natural aging process going on that some have much earlier than 72. Try not to let this stress you out so, that certainly will not help you at all. Hang in there.

Mary no one here is against religion and speaking about yours is fine as long as you do so with respect and remembrance that not everyone believes nor practices yours and as a forum with many cultures and religious beliefs present so posts with a overabundance of religious theme may be offensive and here we take prayers of any kind.

I've often seen people write God as G-d due to their own beliefs. Never considered it would be a way to get around message board rules.

Thank you, Vickie, for making this forum a welcoming place for people of any religion or no religion.

JamesBW, I'm at a loss for words except to say you are so right in thanking Vickie for making this a welcome place for believers of every kind.

James, I will add you to my list of people for whom I pray. May you be truly blessed as you continue your journey on this earth.

Mary