C5-C6 bulge

[kris_tin29]

Hi!  I had been hanging out on the Neurological Limboland forum for a couple months.  I was having some headaches, pain, tingling, numbness, burning pains that I was waiting for a diagnosis.  My neurologist did an MRI of brain and spine to rule out MS and other conditions and found that I have moderate cervical stenosis caused by a bulge in C5-C6.  She said it was significant enough that i would most certainly need surgery at some point in my lifetime, but she though perhaps I could work through it with therapy for awhile.  She is referring me to an orthosurgeon to find out.  she will refer me to a neurosurgeon (out of town) for a 2nd opinion in 6 months if the orthosurgeon decides against the surgery and I am still having problems.  She will continue to follow up with me for pain and symptom management.  I am currently on neurontin/gabapentin and she upped my dose to 600 mg 2x day.

I know that everyone experience things differently and that my Dr is the best person to ask as far as whether or not I need surgery.  However, I would love to hear from others with similar experiences and whether or not PT helped.  I'd also like to know what to expect in PT?

Also, out of curiosity, for those of you with cervical stenosis, what have your symptoms been?  I've had a lot of strange symptoms and just curious if this is common?

Thanks, Kristin

[kris_tin29]

Thanks for your response.  I have not numbness in my face, but I do have a numb spot on my spine.

I'll let you know when/if I start PT.  My orthosurgeon appt got moved up to Thursday so we'll see what happens.

I mostly have random pain that is on and off, but the headaches are what 's really bothering me.  I also have a lot of tingling and numbness.

Thanks again.

[brneyegirl01]

I have cervical stenosis at C5-6 also.  It sounds like your symptoms are very similar to mine.  I have a lot of numbness in my left leg and left arm that comes and goes throughout the day.  I also get a mild burning sensation in that leg along with muscle twitches in my hips and left shoulder.  I also have neck pain and stiffness that extends to my left scapula.  Have you had any numbness in your face at all?  I have had some numbness in my face as well, which the neuro said is not caused by the stenosis.  (Sounds like a real mess when I type it all out!) I am waiting to see a neurosurgeon on Feb 12th.  

Let me know how the PT works out.  I have not started that so I cant give you any ideas there.  I don’t have a lot of pain on a day to day basis...  Just a lot of random numbness.  

Good luck Theresa