Uh Oh

So TB and I went to see the pain management orthopedic guy this morning. TB's condition is about the same and the doc just tweaked the medications a little.

I'd been having more and more pain on the right side, radiating down the side of my leg. We thought maybe it was my sciatic nerve and so the doctor sent me for an MRI. He gave me the report results today and I think I would have preferred the sciatic.

According to the report, I have "Grade 1 anteroliethesis". What that means is:

The vertebrae are the bones that protect the spinal cord. Each vertebra has a thick drum-shaped area in front called a vertebral body. Between the vertebrae are spaces that allow nerves (nerve roots) to go from the spinal cord to other parts of the body.

In anterolisthesis, the upper vertebral body is positioned abnormally compared to the vertebral body below it. More specifically, the upper vertebral body slips forward on the one below.

The amount of slippage is graded on a scale from 1 to 4. Grade 1 is mild (20% slippage), while grade 4 is severe (100% slippage).

The doctor took X-rays of my spine today and had me in several different positions. The condition I have is worse when I bend and so my back isn't "stable". I need to be careful not to fall and if I ignore everything, fall or otherwise injure myself I could become paralyzed. Maybe I'll need surgery--pins inserted into my spine. Maybe I'll just need an epidural or physical therapy.

If that wasn't enough, I also have a bulging disk although it's not herniated and I don't have spinal stenosis like TB does. On the other hand, there is something on both kidneys which could be cysts or an extrarenal pelvis which is confusing when I looked it up but didn't sound deadly or anything.

So when I left that office, I had 4 referrals: to a spinal surgeon, to have an EMG, to a urologist for a spectrum test because the condition I have messes with your bladder and bowel function, and for epidurals.

We also saw the dietician today for our second visit before having weight loss surgery. Just when we need it the most, we need to seriously cut back on the comfort food.


Waaah, it's always something isn't it?