Just got the results from my thoracic spine MRI and it liiks like among a few non active lesions I have a bulging disc and a likely benign tumor. I am thinking that this may be a contributing factor in my rapid decline over the last couple years.
I am being referred to a neurosurgeon and hopefully they can determine the risk of taking the tumor out. I know there is a huge difference between tumors that are just on the surface and those that are more deep in the cord.
My question is, has… read more
Thanks Stacy, I am getting a referral for a neurosurgeon and I'll see what they recommend. My neurologist doesn't think there is any impingement on my cord because of the tumor or disc but also thinks a neurosurgeon would have a better idea of what it may be doing and if it is something I need to worry about.
On another note, I used to manage a Walgreens in Chicago and the pharmacists were my best friends in the company! We had some great times. Hope your issues ease up too.
I have had MS over 20 years and counting. I have DDD (degenerative disc disease) on top of it but did not know this until I started having much more back pain 2 years ago. I have always had upper and mid back pain, neck pain, and lots of problems with spasticity, pain and cramping in basically all my muscles (mostly legs and back). I had new low back pain present suddenly in August 2013 and it was severe, 24/7, unrelenting, sharp pain that also shot through my hips and down the legs. I have about 20 lesions in my brain from MS but nine in my spinal cord. I had an mri in October 2013 that showed the disc disease all through my lumbar spine and 3 bulging discs (L3-L5 all affected). I went through physical therapy and 2 rounds of epidural steroid injections. Unfortunately, I am a retail pharmacist and my job entails me standing all day working 60 hours a week and 14 hour days with ZERO breaks. So...1 if the discs completely blew out. I had a microdiscectomy surgery November 2014 and missed 3 months of work. I am still recovering today and doing physical therapy and my latest mri taken just 4 days after my surgery showed 3 bulging discs again...including the one they operated on and took half of the disc out. As far as the connection with MS: for me, the 2 were mutually exclusive. One did not have any effect on the other. I have no lesions in my spinal cord though and in your case, the tumor could complicate things. I think my recovery from the surgery would be better if I did not have all the pre-existing issues with muscle spasticity and weakness from my MS. I think getting a surgery consult with a neurosurgeon will be your best bet and they should know the best course of action. Good luck to you. I hope you find relief and your MS slows down and gives you a darn break!
@A MyMSTeam Member I have bulging discs in my c-spine as well as degenerating discs. My GP urged me to go to a Orthopedic and Neurological Surgeons. Despite the fact she knew I had my MS lesion there. I contacted my MS doctor who sent me for a MRI. He agreed I had the disc problem it is getting worse, but he would wait a little longer because of complications I would have. He said he would send me to one when it "was time". I am happy with that plan. However, I don't know about the tumor. It is great that you will have multiple doctors looking into the possible surgery rather than "jumping the gun". Good luck! Keep us informed.
*that is NONE. No lesions in spinal cord. Typo says NINE!
Yes I do being suffering for years, going to a pain specialist now I have had three injections but they didn't help me. I have just learn to deal with the pain.