Boring health update

So here's the latest "scoop" on my neck.

I met with the spine specialist today.  The entire experience was pleasant.  From reception, to the assistant, to the doctor himself.

They took about 85 8 xrays, none of which showed anything of significance.  Overall I'm a healthy person.  The doctor asked me several questions and did an exam of my reflexes.  The usual, run-of-the-mill doctor-y stuff.

And then...the best part...

He ordered an MRI of my ENTIRE spine.  I have known I needed this for quite some time.  Simple tasks, like cooking, switching laundry, loading/unloading the dishwasher, etc...are all very difficult for me.  They all cause pain in my lower back.  This...on top of my NECK issues.  It makes it very difficult to keep up with the daily tasks at my house that need to be done.  Even standing in church, or anywhere for extended periods of time (say, oh five to ten minutes...) leaves my legs feeling weak and my feet almost numb.

So, now I wait.  They have to call my insurance company to get approval for the MRI.  The doctor's office will call me in 2-3 days to schedule my appointment to have the MRI done.  Once I have that, I will, of course, have more waiting to do for the results.  But, I feel good again that I am moving forward in hopes of getting some answers.

And to take it one step further, the doctor told me that IF there was nothing wrong with my discs/nothing shows on the MRI, he can do epidural injections in my neck and back, at the very least, to help with the pain so that I can function at what is considered "normal".