MRI and doctor visit.

J

Just-Clayton

Senior Member
I got my MRI on Friday. Picked up the cd today. I got home and looked through the pictures. Since, I was shown on my first MRI before surgery What to look at , I know what I am looking for......AND>>>> I see 3 bulging discs and a bone spur poking my spinal cord. But what am I to do?? My appointment is tomorrow. If It's as bad as I think it is. Time to move on!
 
R

RON_RIP

Senior Member
There is a doctor here in Pittsburgh who practices minimally invasive surgery. Said to be a whiz. If you want I will get you his name and e-mail.
 
G

gqtuazon

Gear Head
Just-Clayton said:
Mike, before I found out I had neck issues, my fingers would go numb, off balance and severe pains in neck and arms. I was actually diagnosed with rotator cup problems first. When I finally went to the doctors for severe neck pains, my doctor figured due to my age (41) it was just muscle spasms from carrying the mail. So, I got an x-ray. Within 10 minutes of me getting home, the Dr. calls and says I need an MRI and that she was sorry for not listening to me on my symptoms. Turns out I had everything wrong. Bone spurs compressing 50% of my spinal cord, one disc degenerative and one severely herniated. I also found out that I was born with a narrow spinal column. Which means less space and spinal fluid. So now, I am getting some of the issues again. I want to make sure everything is OK and to get a specialists word on whether I should keep carrying mail.
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I have similar condition but it is only on the C6 section. Yours are on the C2,3 and 4 disc section. I am also loaded with pain medications but I am treated in Tokyo every 3 to 4 weeks for steroid shot.

FYI, Tripod and a remote control can allow you to take great pictures. :D
 
J

Just-Clayton

Senior Member
Thanks Glenn for the tripod laugh. I knew my "REPAIR" wouldn't fix me forever. It just went by too fast. It's time to move on and enjoy life. If I went another 10 years to my retirement, I would probably celebrate it in traction.
gqtuazon said:
I have similar condition but it is only on the C6 section. Yours are on the C2,3 and 4 disc section. I am also loaded with pain medications but I am treated in Tokyo every 3 to 4 weeks for steroid shot.

FYI, Tripod and a remote control can allow you to take great pictures. :D
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J

Just-Clayton

Senior Member
To me it was a wasted trip. After he explained I had 2 degenerative discs and bone spurs, I asked him for his opinion on whether I should be carrying mail. He says if it were him he wouldn't, due to the repetitive motion and heavy lifting I do all day. It will cause my neck to get worse fast. I then asked if I could have what he said in writing. He says "no" because I am not disabled. Even though he just said I shouldn't be carrying mail. Time for a 2nd opinion.

My federal retirement on disability states that if I can't do my job 100% I am disabled. I am in no means looking for an easy way out. I would still go out and work. Just not this kind of work. I still have my family, a house and car payment to worry about.
Marilynne said:
How did the doctor visit go today??
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Marilynne

Marilynne

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
Is there something else you could do at the PO? Maybe a clerk up front?

I would get a second opinion. Good luck!
 
J

Just-Clayton

Senior Member
I am going to get a second opinion. As for another job in the office, there isn't any. If the Dr. limits my lifting, it affects what I do in the office. Our jobs are based on seniority . So, I would be at the bottom in the office. If not 100% I am useless to them. Right now one of my co-workers just had back surgery and another is getting ready to leave after the paper work. It's not an easy job at all. If it wasn't for my neck, I would love to keep doing this job. My plan is to get the early retirement and find a security job. No major lifting involved. I am just trying to be safe and stay away from another surgery.

Marilynne said:
Is there something else you could do at the PO? Maybe a clerk up front?

I would get a second opinion. Good luck!
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J

Just-Clayton

Senior Member
Update:

No second opinion yet. I will be bidding on another route that isn't as strenuous. I will be doing a swing route, that consists of 5 routes. Two of the routes are driving routes with no constant satchel carrying, another is partial driving. The other two are full walking. One being the one I'm on now. We will see how things go. One thing I truly don't want to do is be on disability.
 
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