Please help MRI

[Sickandtired822]

Since this MRI, I have had a fusion of C-6 through thoracic 1. Which did not solve my problems. I had another MRI and CT scan and the doctor says he doesn’t see anything . I still have terrible headaches, numbness and tingling in the back of my head, head bobbing, muscle spasms in my neck and shoulders, pain in my arms and hands, and legs and feet. I have hyper-mobile joints and my kneecaps dislocate. I also have had surgery for scoliosis. Some people that I talk to in some groups think that it may be a connective tissue disorder. And I should have an upright MRI but my doctor will not listen to me.

[Barbara]

Don’t have time to look in detail but one or two things spring to mind. You have a short clivus, that is the bone, to the front of the opening at the bottom of your skull, it’s an anatomical variant. I have it and it didn’t cause me any problems what-so-ever until I suffered a head and neck injury, which caused cranio-cervical instability – then it was a whole different ball-game, with symptoms similar to yours. Have you had such an injury ?
Do your symptoms worsen with your head in flexion ?

You also have a loss of lordosis to the upper cervical vertebrae, so your neck has lost it’s ‘C’ curvature. It would seem that your Atlas (C1 vertebra) is forwards and the posterior arch of it encroaches into the spinal canal. I’d perhaps ask them to check for Cranio-cervical instability, using the Milhorat, Bolognese, Nishikawa, Francomano method, publicised Dec 2007.

[Barbara]

Here’s a bit more info:-
http://prettyill.com/forums/viewthread/712/P15/#4115

Further info on a Short clivus can be found in the following thread
http://prettyill.com/forums/viewthread/712/P15/#4079

For those interested in the Bolognese/Milhorat method I mentioned, here’s the paper:

Dr._Francomanos_article_CCI.pdf

[Sickandtired822]

Thank you so much! I knew there had 2 be something else in the MRI. No I haven’t been in any accidents. I know this sounds weird but my ex-husband used to push on the back of my head all the time just to irritate me. Now 2 just convince the Drs. Trying to find a Dr in Madison Wisconsin that knows about EDS.

[Barbara]

No probs.
In the meantime, it’s important to eat, drink or take vitamin C regularly throughout the daytime to help form good collagen.

It’s also important for you to observe the following:-
  Forget working with the body bent forwards, or with your head down (in flexion) find another way;
   Help your head to stay as balanced on the body as possible (sit up straight – no slouching!);
   Look at ways of doing your tasks sitting down, wherever possible (this puts head less into ‘flexion’);
  Sit opposite the person you are speaking to always, never keep your head/neck at an angle;
  Unstable Cranio-cervical joints need support – wear a Philadelphia (or similar) collar;
  Your computer screen & your work need to be elevated, so you are looking straight forwards and not hanging head in flexion;

[Sickandtired822]

Thanks again, and yes I do find I have more problems when my head is bent forward, backward or turned. The more research I do into this, I do believe I have pots among other things. I’ve been wearing my collar again even though I hate to. To be honest I can barely make myself a sandwich. Thankfully my daughter is letting me stay with her.

[Author]

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