Cervical Disc Bulges at C3-4, C4-5,C5-6 and C6-7

[JilHix]

I have been a passive, yet loyal reader of this forum for awhile and decided today is the day that I post my question. I have learned much from others' questions, but I do have issues that I haven't found addressed so far. I am asking for help and guidance...

In May 2008, I experienced right side numbness in my arm while driving home from work. The numbness continued to the point that I lost use of the arm and it extended down into my right foot and leg and eventually into the right side of my face. Thinking that I was experiencing a stroke, my primary MD transferred me to a larger hospital where I underwent an MRI of my Head and Carotid U/S, and nothing was found at that time that could explain what was happening to me. My symptoms seemed to come and go without explanation, and I returned to my primary MD still seeking answers in Sept. 2008, and she ordered an MRI of my Cervical Spine.

This is  the results of my MRI:

C2-3: No disc bulge or protrustion.
C3-4: Mild diffuse bulge is present. No focal protrusion is seen.
C4-5: Mild diffuse bulge is present. There is mild flattening of the anterior aspect of the thecal sac. There is mild narrowing of the neural foramina bilaterally.
C5-6: Mild broad-based left posterolaterally disc protrusion is present. There is mild compromise of the left lateral recess.
C6-7: Mild broad-based right paracentral disc protrusion is present. There is minimal compromise of the right lateral recess;

IMPRESSION;
1.  MILD BROAD-BASED DISC PROTRUSIONS ECCENTRIC TO LEFT AT C5-6 AND CENTERED TO THE RIGHT AT C6-7. ASSOCIATED COMPROMISE OF LATERAL RECESSES AT THESE LEVELS.
2. BROAD-BASED MIDLINE DISC PROTRUSION AT C4-5 WITH MILD SPINAL STENOSIS. AGAIN, CORRELATION WITH DISTRIBUTION OF RADICULAR SYMPTOMS IS RECOMMENDED.

This MRI report was six months ago, and my primary MD felt that this was due to some type of trauma that I may have experienced as a young child that is now causing me problems, I am 43, and recalled an incident of being hit in the back of my head with a bat while participating in softball. At the time of this diagnosis,I elected to just wait and deal with the symptoms as they arise.

I have been experiencing increasing symptoms for the past month or so, with increasing fatigue and migraines, then last week while sleeping, I felt an odd feeling of a "squishiness" in the back of my neck, then experienced the feeling of some liquid running down my neck, I was lying on my side at the time. Since this occurrence, I have been in constant pain and discomfort with my neck and my head feels so "heavy" and I am just exhausted most of the time. I was prescribed Elavil to help me sleep, but I experienced so much grogginess with it the next day, I only take it when I have to. Lately though, with the help of Tylenol PM, I am able to rest some, but within an hour of rising, those recurring symptoms of my head feeling heavy and pain in my neck now extend into my upper back through to my mid-chest. I also experience pain under my right arm and I have this feeling of a stick or poker-like pain in my right armpit.

I have been referred to a neurosurgeon and will be seeing him for the first time on March 24th. Does anyone have any experience with the above symptoms, and what would be your opinion about what I might be expecting to hear from the neurosurgeon? I am wondering about PT or epidural injections, or will he recommend surgery? The one thing I keep reading is the recommendation to wait on surgery until the last resort, and I can understand this, yet I am in pain now most of the time. How much more must I endure before I will know that it is "time"? Any and all opinions would be welcome right now!

[ASJtired]

Yes, I have the same issue only mine is complicated with a Harrington rod that extends from C6 threw T12. The pain is unbearable and it feels like a million bee stings, when they sting and that initial pain zap only it never stops or goes away. It varies in degrees like I have been awake and in pain (with pain medications on board) for 4 days and nights. I too am having an appointment with neurosurgeon I swore I would never allow them to cut me open again. I am beyond ready. I too am 43 and have a lot I still would like to do. This has been on going for me since April of 08. I am so done nothing helps at this point. I was diagnosed with DD in April of 08 and but Jan of 12 my disc are shot so mine seems to be very progressive. If I were you and they offered surgery I would take it. I have heard really good thing compared to even 4 yrs ago.Mine are all going to the right and my left side is the one affected. but the symptoms are almost identical. You are not alone.

[skip5324]

I too have these same symptons, It started november 26 2010 I have sence seen several doctors who have me on a physical therapy session twice a week. It is only helping the stiffness I get from having the c3-c4-c5-c6 buldging. I have also had several other areas ache and when pressure is applied to the area by the therapist I get numbness in my right leg. As of now I am still in limbo as to what is going to fix this problem. I must say being 26 years old and feeling helpless(as I cant lift anything that is heavier then a gallon of milk with out having pain and numbness) is starting to get rather annoying.

[quin310]

I had a car accident in 2009 that left me with mild  bulging disc in my neck and back c3 c4 c5 c6 and c7 L4 L5 Know treatment for about six month now am in pain all the time i had two month of PT and injection nothing working.  How do you heal from bulging disc.

[pal17]

Dear sir / Madam

My father was experiencing a neck pain and numbness in his right arm,wrist and fingers without any pain in the area.the MRI report shows :
1) Mild Posterocentral disc protrusion at C3/4 and C4/5 Levels indenting the thecal sac.

2) Broad based posterior disc bulge at C5 /6 level which along wih bordering osteophytes and hypertrophy is causing canal narrowing indenting the thecal sac and bilateral exiting nerve roots.

Please tell me what it means and what will be the treatment for the same.can it be cured with medicines or will it need surgery? can this problem increase impacting the other limbs or part of the body......

[sunshine410]

On October 28, 2008, I fell on concrete on my job and hit my head, neck shoulders on the refrigerator in our community center and landed on my left hip.  I just got an MRI which  c3-c4 broad-based disc bulge, c4-c5 right paracentral disc protrustion and proliferative cahnge.  The foramina are patent.  C7-T1 there is a mild bulge.  There is limitation due to motion artifact.  Please explain.  I take medication which makes me drowsey and I can not take it at work only in the evenings.  Is my job responsible - I was told that this was pre-existant, but I never had a problem before the fall.  I have had one set of injections in my neck and shoulder and in my hip, but it yet hurts.  I am a secretary and at my computer 75% of the day as well
Elaine

[CFOliver]

I hope you have had increased progression to health since writing this but I can assure you that your issues have occurred over time. I have very similar findings and worse and have had 3 disc fusions and now have post surgical changes. My surgeries were in 2008, 2011 and 2015. I pray you are better

[mick009]

I have wedging from T2 to T9 and a wedge fracture at T6, disc protrusion C3/4 and have been in pain since December 2006  have had physiotherapy from highly qualified physcians. Numbness in both arms and fingers is common. I have had all scans and MRI's but no succes in helping me living a comfortable life. I am only 27 and have a young family, Is surgery and option?