Yes I've heard of problems metabolizing medications. Smart smart doctor. It's not something you hear often if at all but I think it's wise.
After all it's one way to assure patients achieve maximum relief from a medication. I've come across a lady who had problems & took a long time suffering before they figured out her body was not absorbing (for lack of better description) the medication. Not to mention fillers used in these meds. That can make a difference in how effective the medication is.
I'll have to think on the cervical results, good old brain fog. In a hurry here I'm sure a fellow spines will beat me to explaining your results.
I'm glad you had this done. They need to know what condition your cervical is in & watch for changes.
MRIs are great but not always 100% so always listen to your body.
Blessings, Sammy

can the neurologist interpret the MRI for you in plain speak is how I call it? what I usually do is write write on the radiologists interpretation report while my neurosurgeon or neurologist talks. that's cause I know as soon as I get to the car I am going to forget what they said!!!. my neurologist also usually gets out the ole skeleton (I am dense). .

do you have pain signals? good. and do you have function? that's even better. does the neurosurgeon tell you there is no spinal cord compression? even better. of course this does not help if you are having nagging daily pain crap.

I am sorry. I happened not to like PT for this condition where it involved the ultrasound and it only made things worse. the cortisone injections into the neck worked for a many number of years. andt I loved stretching at home and wearing a neck brace backwards at work. my surgery did not happen until i lost sensation and function of my left arm. the fat lady sang so to speak.

your metabolozing meds tests sound cool. keep us updated.

depot

I like depot's suggestions-yes MRI's can be a great help but symptoms are important. When my lumbar spine had its worse problems the MRI was not conclusive enough-had to have a diagnostic test on the discs-I think it was called a discogram or some sort, by the PM doc before surgery.
Thanks for posting the site regarding medical metabolizing, I didn't realize a test like this existed & have an awful time with medication tolerance and efficacy.

Thank you for all the great information. What would I do without all of you? I had a cervical MRI a couple of weeks ago, due to a pinched nerve that lasted for almost three months. I was miserable! Two days before the MRI I suddenly felt much better. So, I cancelled the epidural. Sure hope I am out of the woods.
Lynne

i hope you are also Lynne.

You have been down this road already, and lent me a hand. I hope that it is not happening, again.

Depot

Thank y'all everyone for your answers and information. Jen-that was invaluable information for me. Thanks. I do not see where on the report (it's just one pg) where it says a width measurement. it says : C2-C3: Right unconvertebral hypertrophy resulting in moderate right foraminal stenosis without left foraminal stenosis or a spinal canal stenosis.....C3-C4: Mild right uncovertebral hypertrophy with mild right foraminal stenosis w/o spinal canal or left foraminal stenosis C5-C6: : Disc height loss with disc osteophyte complex asymmetric to the right with moderate spinal canal stenosis with the disc osteophyte complex contouring the anterior aspect of the cord without cord signal abnormality. Mild right foraminal stenosis without left foraminal stenosis...C6-C7: Disc osteophyte complex asymmetric to the right with moderate stenosis of the right aspect of the cal sac and contouring of the anterior aspect of the cord w/o cord signal abnormality. No foraminal stenosis..Then it listed the findings that I put in my original post.

I have a neurologist that I rarely see that monitors my seizure meds but I haven't seen her in a couple of years since I have been seizure free for a couple years however I will be on seizure meds forever but I think I will go see her with this. Besides feeling tight like a pinched nerve I have pain and tingling down the right side of my body (besides my regular RA pain). But it's hard to know what's what because my hips are really bad, as well as my knees and ankles so it may all be RA pain. My rheumy also is getting a copy of the disc as well as the report but I don't see her for another 3-4 weeks when I go for my next Remicade infusion. I do appreciate hearing others experiences. It helps me to know what to ask about when I see my dr.

That pain going down your right side is probably caused by a pinched nerve in your neck. Painful and nasty those pinched nerves! Feel better soon, hon.
Lynne

this makes me want to get out my radiologists report from my MRI last year. I got 2 steroid shots last June and now it feels like it's acting up again.

Your right with multiple things it can be hard to know just what's causing what.
I had the spinal mess before my RA DX.
With the MRIs not indicating enough severity to cause my pain & problems I started a journal noting any & every change.
That journal came & still comes in handy.
The Dermatome charts that can be found on line are helpful.
These charts indicate what each level in the spine effects what through the body.
Not the greatest at explaining anything with this awful brain fog but they can be very helpful, especially when changes occur.
I had unusual/ uncommon problems & symptoms with the spine.
Keeping the journal allowed me to go back & kind of connect the dots.
Also indicated RA symptoms appearing after surgery.

Tingling, burning, numbness can be related to nerves.
If it were me I'd watch for any changes there. Although RA can cause its own neuropathy type pain I've found the nerve problems connected to the spine to be much more severe. Muscle spasms also. Big time. Change in pain or range of motion. Shoulder pain was a biggie for me. Headaches as the severity grew. Ribs & problems breathing upon exhalation Which are not common in my case. That's naming a few.
Numbness & weakness hands & in certain fingers depending on what level is effected.
It's hard to explain but it's different then RA pain & symptoms.
I'm due for nerve burning & blocks as we speak. I'm Extremely sore in the shoulder area, scapula & under.
Hurts to lift my arms. The muscle spasm very easy.
Finger tips are numb with pins/needle burning. Necks to sore to touch especially in the mornings.
With the C3 thru 7 problematic for me. With C5/6 fused.
never had any substantial actual neck pain before my spinal surgery.
It seemed to be everywhere but. There were days I hurt all the way down to the ribs on the left side. Chest in such spasm my PT would say he could bounce a quarter off it. 2 PTs during that time with both worked hard to get the muscles to chill out. Never managed that. In fact the one knew it was all spine related before the doctors DXed it. Lifting or bending the neck in an up or down position to long caused me pain & problems. Till this day both are still a big trigger of pain.
When RA was thrown in I found any flares to enhance the spinal mess.
Went for an EMG right after my DX of RA to try to figure out the exact cause of the neuropathy. Once he heard I had RA he said if it does not appear on the EMG I might as well give up looking. As RA can contribute & with both you have your answer. Although the Rhizotomy (nerve burning) & nerve blocks helps to control the worst of it.
The spine is a bugger. Till this day I try to note any changes I think may be related.
I sure understand how hard it can be to try to distinguish between the two. Hope through sharing it helps you in some small way.
As it's an area you want to watch for any progressive problems.
Take good care
Gentle hugs
Sammy