[poonav]

Title: Re-Introduction

Hello Mark,Charles, Rich, 'ans' and the forum

I really appreciate all the valuable and important suggestions - enabling me better understand my situation and making me smarter in my questions to my doctors to help them help me.
I have already seen a neurologist, a neurosurgeon and today I met an Ortho-spine as well. I have seen these 3 specialists in that sequence.
To again put it in perspective, my symptoms of right sided neck pain (back of neck) started 3 weeks ago, initially mild pain for 4 days with sudden worsening to 10/10 pain on 5th day, with myokymia of right arm muscles and minimal weakness of the arm. (The pain in my arm has never been as bad as the 'spasms' in the back of my neck.)
Neurologist - seen on 6th day of symptom onset - MRI done - C5-6 disc herniation - suggested conservative Rx with steroids/ anti-inflammatories/ vicodin/ heat - helped in pain, did not notice much difference in weakness.
Neurosurgeon - seen after 2 weeks of onset - I was a little weaker in my right arm than before - agreed with conservative Rx - suggested gentle cervical traction - tried for 2 days - I am unsure whether the traction made it worse or it had to get worse any ways - the weakness of right arm/hand appeared to increase - reconsulted Neurosurgeon - suggested - if weakness worsens - will need surgery - ACDF - likely because he does not do ADRs or MICF.
- saw Ortho-spine today - in NYC - recommended MICF since I have motor weakness which seems to be getting worse and it has been 3 weeks since symptoms started.
- I am considering MICF seriously at this time, but as suggested by all of you - I need to ask him - whether I should get a discogram before the surgery?
Question I still have - I noticed very subtle, short lasting (few seconds) pain on left side of my neck for last 2-3 days - with some myokymia in left sided muscles as well - very transient though - Does that warrant a repeat MRI before the surgery?

Thanks to all
God bless

Navneet