Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Buggy is back...test results input?

Hello Ka friends!!
Ladybuggie here...its been a long time! I've been busy with my Krav and Arthur and I are grandparents of a beautiful baby boy named Ezra..he is now 2 months old!

I finally got around to finding a new rheumatologist. A great one. He is the one that dx Gianna with her JRA years ago. He is closer to me than my former rheumy. I was free to get my MRI tests done this week just in time for my follow up! Doc had put me on diflonec and vitamin d.

I come to my KA friends for input please?
IS stenosis and hypertrophy, something that is seen in AS?
I just had MRI's done about 2 years ago and it only showed fused l5/si and osteophytes in thoracic area. This time my neck was fine and si joints. But he was very concerned with the other stuff atop of osteoporosis as well...

L1-L3 seem okay.
L3-L4 show diffuse disc bulging and mild posterior element hypertrophy resulting in mild canal stenosis without significatn neural foraminal narrowing.

l4-L5 where I already had surgery for a blown disc shows mild faet hypertrophy without canal stenosis. The endplates are obscured with susceptibility artifact... no clue what this means!?

l5-si show diffuse disc bulging and small osteophyte complex and a mildly enhancing 3 mm central focus of soft tissue attenuation most consistent with granulation tissue and posterior element hypertrophy resulting in moderate bilateral neural foranimal narrowing with mild to moderate canal stenosis.
5 non rib bearing lumbar type vertabrae are presumed along with a probably transitions first sacral segment...?
Doc told me I had three bulging discs, and one ruptured disc and stenosis and nerve pinching. He said I needed to be very careful with the ruptured disc in my thoracic area. He said my only choices for now are surgery, epidural steroid shots with a 30-35% success rate, physical therapy which he feels will not fix things, or live with it and tweak meds. He gave me a nice steroid pack for now and I can think about the shots if its something I want to do.

He is a great doc and I am very candid with him about pain meds and how I need to function and cant be zonked out of my mind with 3 kiddos and one new grandbaby boy! i told him about Krav..he said exercise is excellent...too much sleeping and bed makes us much more stiff..which I know. I sleep on minimal so thats nothing new.

Of course once he gave me copies of my reports I was confused what this means. I did leave a message with the nurse to ask if its connected to the AS. Also osteoarthritis as well...nothing new..blah! lol

I havent been hurt, or fallen or accident so I know thats not what is happening. Any and all input is greatly appreciated!!
Good evening fb peeps!! your ol' pal buggy...

Hi Ang...Congratulations on the new grandbaby!!! I'm sure he's adorable...aren't they the best?! Sorry to hear of your most recent health issues, we have plenty of members that are great at helping to understand/explain MRI results... I'm not one of them... I'm sure you'll get some great replies though... I just wanted to say hey and welcome you back, hang in there and big hugs, my friend...

Michelle

Thank you so much Michelle...he's a sweetheart! We had quite a scare with him and GG but all is well now and he's gaining every week. Which means Gramma Angie is feeling it even when I burp him. I can usually figure out most stuff on these reports but I guess because it was SO much stuff I'm overwhelmed.

I just read your post on your weight loss and dental bone loss!! I am so sorry to hear this!! Please keep me posted..here or on facebook!!! I dont like it when your own doc looks worried. My rheumy looked at me so sad as if he wishes he could make some magic act happen and fix my spine. I told him "I may sound crazy..but I'm used to my lower back pain...after 25+years its something I zone out" Thats where I had 3 bulgings discs and stenosis. I think the AS gives us a higher pain tolerance Michelle...
I"ll be thinking of you wonderful friend...you can see pics of my grandson on fb when you are up to it...
much love ! buggy

Ange, I'm no good with MRI results either, but did want to say congratulations, Grandma!!! And to new Mama G! And Grandpa Artie!

I hope you can get some clarification on those MRI readings soon. Man it's so confusing some time.

Love and hugs,

Bug good to see your post. Congratulations on the Grandmother achivement. My 13th is on the way in June. Have a great day

L1-L3 seem okay.


Small and still insignifficant bulging disc..This at least, talks about stenosis in the nerve channel that goes through your spine, and that it has not made the room needed for your nerves narrower.



Hypertrophy should be an increase in volume of soft tissue mostly (but could be bone), probably due to inflammation? -The artifact mentioned sounds like a foreign object that disturbs the pictures. (Could it be your operation had a screw or something put in place there, perhaps?)



Again, bulging disc. Osteophytes are bone spurs and granulation tissue, is the soft tissue in the middle of a wound that is healing I think. Moderate narrowing in the nerve canal on both sides, due to stenosis.



Greek to me , others should have a go

I should think both the stenosis and bone spurs would be natural complications of your AS. Bone spurs is as far as I understand a common arthritic sign, but in AS it could be the starting points of joint fusing.



Ok, I had a shot, and my interpetation could be flawed and/or lacking in detail. I'm no expert

Congrats on Ezra (I love that name) and is Krav; Krav maga? -If so, thats a pretty hardcore combat style for an AS'er, lol

Love
gilth

Bugsy - missed your wild and humourous posts. Great to know all is well with you and family - congrats on G'ma status.

Afraid can't help on interpretation of MRI results, but others will pile in.

Happy to see you - go well

Hey Buggy,

good to see you checking in and congrats on grandbaby.

Sorry no help on the reports.

Tim

Hi there!

Where is our resident PT expert? She would know what these results mean? Congrats on the grandbaby! I see you have a boxer too. Fun dogs!

It is good to hear from you. Sorry you don't have better news for us though

Craig

miss ya Bug