Hi everyone--Loulou here. I am hoping someone out there has had a similar experience, and can provide some advice!
In August of 2008, I woke up with a numb left forefinger. No pain, just numbness. Wound up at a neurologist's office, who noted hyper reflexia in both legs--and sent me for an MRI.
The MRI shows two herniated discs--C3-4, and C6-7, and the accompanying bone spurs. I have been told (and I can see it pretty clearly on the MRI) that these discs and spurs are compressing my spinal cord (the situation is exacerbated by the fact that I have a congenitally small spinal canal).
I am 45, in excellent health (other than this @#$%&*)
and I am (have been) very active--I ski at a high level, windsurf, kiteboard, do yoga regularly (but NO MORE HEADSTANDS--EVER).
I have seen three neurosurgeons (Dr. Ron Rich, Dr. Patrick Hsieh of USC, and Dr. Justin Paquette of Cedars-Sinai), the head of orthopedic surgery at UCLA (Dr. Jeff Wang), and a spinal pain specialist at Cedars-Sinai (Dr.Avrom Gart)--and the advice from all (except Dr. Gart--who said I don't need surgery) is that if I am to continue in my active lifestyle, I need to have surgery, and that fusion is the "gold standard". They want to fuse in both spots.
The numbness has long gone away, and I have no noticeable symptoms (i.e no weakness, no balance problems) other than the hyper reflexia in my legs.
Any advice? Of course, I don't want to have surgery--but I also am not willing to not ski, etc., nor do I want to end up paralyzed!!
I am in such a quandry--I appreciate any insight you may have.
THANKYOU!
Loulou