Post by gb2847 on Jul 12, 2021 13:53:00 GMT -6
Tomorrow I get a 2nd opinion about my L4 area tumor, which is in the spinal cord. I've had MRI's done locally, and at UCLA. The local was 1st, reporting a 6mm ovoid tumor, and that it was likely a benign neurofibroma or meningioma . The 2nd MRI, w and w/o contrast, was at UCLA 27 days later, and the report showed it at 4X5X8mm and say that it is a schwannoma or ependymoma. To make it easier, I am copying and pasting what I put together for the 2nd opinion neurosurgeon from a local USC affiliate:
05/05/21 sudden onset of lumbar pain and pressure as soon as I got out of bed, went to urgent care, told to go to primary doc or ER and get an MRI
05/07/21 saw primary doctor, had x-rays of L Spine at Visalia Medical Clinic
05/11/21 telehealth with primary doctor, told to get x-rays of T Spine due to some pain there
05/17/21 x-rays of T Spine at Visalia Medical Clinic
05/21/21 saw primary doc, he ordered MRI of L Spine
06/03/21 began PT for Grade 2 Spondylolisthesis in L5, S1
06/04/21 MRI of L Spine – no contrast at Visalia Medical Clinic
06/09/21 discussed newly discovered 6mm ovoid tumor in spinal cord near L4, urged to see 2 neurosurgeons for a first and second opinion
06/14/21 Decided to cancel PT after 3 sessions because it was only stretching and only caused more pain – wanted to consult with neurosurgeons first
06/24/21 Saw neurosurgeon at UCLA Spine Center in Santa Monica, (had sent x-rays and MRI through their portal). Failed the reflex test when he tapped below the right knee. The other reflex and nerve tests seemed to go well.
He viewed the imaging, but couldn’t find the reports, even though they were on the CD’s that I had copied to the portal. He didn’t care for me to get the reports to him. He had me get new lumbar X-rays with flexion and extension, and ordered an MRI with and w/o contrast – seemed to think it was all no big deal
07/01/21 MRI with and w/o contrast at UCLA
07/09/21 telehealth with UCLA neurologist - he contradicted the X-ray and MRI reports, from VMC and UCLA regarding tumor size, telling me that it is 5mm, when in fact the UCLA MRI report states it to be 4x5x8mm (possibly 33% growth in 27 days). He also said that my arthritis wasn’t that bad for my age (my arthritis specialist AND my primary doctor each told me that the current degree of my degeneration, which began when I was 30, is usually seen in patients over 70). He had no explanation for sudden onset and steady increase of new pain and other symptoms, and told me to see somebody in sports medicine.
The UCLA MRI report contradicted the UCLA X-rays regarding my spondylolisthesis (5mm verses 18mm). The VMC MRI report states that the “spondylolisthesis defects are better seen on the plain film exam”. The UCLA neurosurgeon seemed to base everything on the UCLA MRI report, except for the tumor size.
Meanwhile, since the onset on 05/05/21, my pain has slowly increased and become constant. I have had more symptoms (though intermittent) of pain, tingling, and/or numbness in hips, buttocks, legs and feet. My slight stress incontinence has increased, though still mild at this point. Sometimes I get lumbar pressure and pain leading up to bowel movements. I get occasional nausea now. I have had 2 occasions in the past week in which the pain in my hips/buttocks made my legs weak, and I thought I may fall. I decided to get a walker to be ready for when that happens more regularly.
Any input or insight would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!
GB
05/05/21 sudden onset of lumbar pain and pressure as soon as I got out of bed, went to urgent care, told to go to primary doc or ER and get an MRI
05/07/21 saw primary doctor, had x-rays of L Spine at Visalia Medical Clinic
05/11/21 telehealth with primary doctor, told to get x-rays of T Spine due to some pain there
05/17/21 x-rays of T Spine at Visalia Medical Clinic
05/21/21 saw primary doc, he ordered MRI of L Spine
06/03/21 began PT for Grade 2 Spondylolisthesis in L5, S1
06/04/21 MRI of L Spine – no contrast at Visalia Medical Clinic
06/09/21 discussed newly discovered 6mm ovoid tumor in spinal cord near L4, urged to see 2 neurosurgeons for a first and second opinion
06/14/21 Decided to cancel PT after 3 sessions because it was only stretching and only caused more pain – wanted to consult with neurosurgeons first
06/24/21 Saw neurosurgeon at UCLA Spine Center in Santa Monica, (had sent x-rays and MRI through their portal). Failed the reflex test when he tapped below the right knee. The other reflex and nerve tests seemed to go well.
He viewed the imaging, but couldn’t find the reports, even though they were on the CD’s that I had copied to the portal. He didn’t care for me to get the reports to him. He had me get new lumbar X-rays with flexion and extension, and ordered an MRI with and w/o contrast – seemed to think it was all no big deal
07/01/21 MRI with and w/o contrast at UCLA
07/09/21 telehealth with UCLA neurologist - he contradicted the X-ray and MRI reports, from VMC and UCLA regarding tumor size, telling me that it is 5mm, when in fact the UCLA MRI report states it to be 4x5x8mm (possibly 33% growth in 27 days). He also said that my arthritis wasn’t that bad for my age (my arthritis specialist AND my primary doctor each told me that the current degree of my degeneration, which began when I was 30, is usually seen in patients over 70). He had no explanation for sudden onset and steady increase of new pain and other symptoms, and told me to see somebody in sports medicine.
The UCLA MRI report contradicted the UCLA X-rays regarding my spondylolisthesis (5mm verses 18mm). The VMC MRI report states that the “spondylolisthesis defects are better seen on the plain film exam”. The UCLA neurosurgeon seemed to base everything on the UCLA MRI report, except for the tumor size.
Meanwhile, since the onset on 05/05/21, my pain has slowly increased and become constant. I have had more symptoms (though intermittent) of pain, tingling, and/or numbness in hips, buttocks, legs and feet. My slight stress incontinence has increased, though still mild at this point. Sometimes I get lumbar pressure and pain leading up to bowel movements. I get occasional nausea now. I have had 2 occasions in the past week in which the pain in my hips/buttocks made my legs weak, and I thought I may fall. I decided to get a walker to be ready for when that happens more regularly.
Any input or insight would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!
GB