Foramina stenosis

I got a letter from the hospital yesterday, after having a MRI scan they say I have got multi-level Foramina stenosis. I had this scan because I can hardly move my neck and am getting pins and needles down both arms and can’t pick up things very easily or keep dropping things, my question is does anyone else have anything similar and also is there anything that can be done about it?

Had it due to osteoarthritis. In my case they had to go in and remove bone spurs. Similar symptoms you describe.

I have got osteoporosis as well as psoriatic arthritis so that would fit in I expect. Am not getting any relieve from the pain and not sleeping in the least it is awful.

It sounds awful. Has surgery been suggested and, if so, how do you feel about that?

Hi Gill,

Which doctor ordered the MRI? Your GP, or orthopaedic specialist or your rheumy for your PsA and osteoporosis? And when is your follow up appt to discuss the results of the scan? When that happens they’ll likely go through all your options, which I imagine will be surgery to help release things. If you haven’t got any follow up appt do chase it.

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It was the rheumatologist that referred me for the scan then I got referred to a neurosurgeon he wants me to have tests on my nerves so am waiting for an appointment for that. It will be very unlikely that they operate any time soon as I had a heart attack a few months ago and they will avoid any ops for now as long as they can. Am feeling so down just now it is terrible

You poor thing. Biggest hugs. That’s a rock and a hard place to be in.

Do you do any talking therapy? I do and I’m in the UK too. Seeing a proper psychotherapist can truly give you better coping skills. That helps so much especially when things are virtually conspiring against you.

You can get a referral from your GP or indeed self-refer which is faster but then you tend to pay for the sessions although most take account of your financial circumstances too. Some are happy to do it by phone too if you’ve got mobility issues which I assume you might do.

It helped and continues to help me enormously. And what’s lovely about it is that it doesn’t mean taking yet more meds which is always a bonus in my view. We’re rattling pin cushions sometimes with the amount of injections and tablets we seem to take.

Give that some thought and do some research as to what’s available in your area and see if you can talk to someone. It really can help lessen the fear, panic and the sheer overwhelming feelings of being so ill and in so much pain. xxx

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Well I’ll be … I was about to post about my foraminal stenosis too. Where nerves branch off the spinal cord (which is inside the spine) they have to go through a hole in one of the spine bones. The hole in the bone (the “foramen”, plural foramina) can get narrow because of extra bone growth or the bone itself can get squashed by force, narrowing the hole. Then the nerve that passes through there gets squeezed and that results in pain, tingling and all kinds of nasty symtoms in whatever part of the body that particular nerve “services”. For you it’s arm, for me it’s leg.

I have foraminal stenosis in my lower spine and it gives me sciatica-like symptoms. Really burning, tingling and radiating pain from the small of my back down my entire leg, right to my foot. Mine isn’t due to my PsA they say. What I have in my leg is likely similar to what you have in your arm. Fortunately, when sitting or lying down, my pain is tolerable.

Here’s the thing: you need to go the whole route with MRIs and whatever tests they suggest. It’s a long road, not smooth, but you need to gather as much info about this thing as you can. I’ve had MRIs, CT scans, nerve tests, etc. and I’m at the treatment/decision stage. It does get better when you get to that, because something can be done.

I’ve been experimenting with temporary “fixes”. Right now I’m trialing a nerve pain drug called Pregabalin (Lyrica). It’s helping quite a lot, although I’m not at all happy with the side effects. But as temporary relief, it has been good. I also tried an x-ray guided steroid shot in my spine and that was magic instant total relief. Unfortunately, the miracle only lasted two weeks. Some people get months out of one shot. I’m going to try one more injection, but I’m coming 'round to the idea that I’m probably heading for surgery.

Can you ask your GP about trying a nerve pain drug like Lyrica? That might ease things for you temporarily. You’ve had an MRI, so it wouldn’t hurt to ask the GP whether an x-ray guided injection of steroid might be a possibility. If so, get a request in because it’s likely to take a while to get to the top of the waitlist for that one.

Hang in there, and be the squeaky wheel. Ask your GP for help, because there is something that can be done. Chin up, Gill!

S

PS You’re in Renfrewshire Scotland, and I’m in Renfrew County, Canada. Too funny.

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They can do surgery to remove bone spurs and widen the holes that nerves pass through. Try ice packs to decrease swelling (the nerves getting pinched get bruised and irritated), cold can help with nerve pain. Also warm showers.