Question: I'm having low back pain going down into right buttock sense injury. Had MRI which shows "axial T1 an interval mild central to right subarticular disc protrusion associated with a small annular disc tear/fissure that is slightly indenting the thecal sac". I'm wondering, can be causing my low back pain? I thought T1 was higher. Injury happened in an elevator fell about 6 feet with me and a sudden stop. It's been about a month now and it's not getting better, maybe worse. Please help

So even though T1 is well above the area that hurts it could be causing the pain? What is Pregabalin? Over the counter or prescription. I've been taking Aleve and it does help some. There was also a mention of: "There may be a mild interval increase in size of a still small 7.5 mm focus of high signal intensity on T1/T2/STIR images in the mid to posterior L2 vertebral body suggestive of a vertebral body hemangioma." My doctor told me this was nothing - do you agree? "This study is somewhat limited. The axial T2 images could not be performed." I got sick (having trouble with closed in spaces sense elevator accident). Sense the problem was found at T1 should I try to go back and try again (try to find an open MRI)?

I am seeing counceling (3 days a week) and psychiatrist. Some of my meds were changed this past week from Ativan to Xanax. I really think it's going to help. My memory has been like swiss cheese on the Ativan and I think I'm having fewer physical symptoms from the anxiety with the Xanax. So T1 injury will not be causing low back pain. You say other causes should be ruled out. Can you give me some examples of other causes (please remember this low back pain started only after accident). I have had back aches and pains for years (bulging disks at L4&L5 level that the MRI said there was no change to) but never pain this low. I did get them to X-ray the sacrum (two weeks after the fall) and they said no acute problem. I wish I could show you (or describe to you) exactly where the pain is. I sorry I keep asking questions. I'm just having so many problems with pain and anxiety (I was put in psychiatric hospital for 3 days after accident) sense the accident. Before this I use to help my husband map caves that were miles long, far under ground, now I can't finish a MRI (I started vomiting and couldn't breath in the machine). Do you believe the hospital would ever lie or play down my injuries? The elevator that fell and hurt me is one in this particular hospital, but I do believe it is the best hospital anywhere around.

Calcium is good. Vitamin D is low and I'm taking supplement. It's just that this pain started after accident. As I was reading back over (multiple times) your responses I noticed you mentioned I needed a L/S MRI. The one I had was just lumbar: "Noncontrast T1, T2 and STIR sequences of the lumbar spine followed by noncontrast T1 images of the intervetertebral disc spaces from L1-L2 up to L5-S1." "axial T2 images could not be performed" (I started throwing up) I'm just wondering if I should try to get another MRI? What can they see on the L/S MRI that wouldn't be on the one I had? You said that an open MRI was inferior to closed - that stinks. Maybe I could ask doctor for something extra to help with nerves for one time thing. Could my husband sit at end of tunnel and hold my hand or something (this was his idea and I'd like to know if possible). Again sorry so long. Can someone sit at end of tunnel and hold hand or do doctors sometimes give something extra to help with nerves? Can they see something on the MRI you suggested that was not on the one I had?

Thyroid level OK - on synthroid. I'm in therapy and seeing psychiatrist sense accident for anxiety. Thanks for all your help. I will ask about getting a L/S MRI and asking for something extra to help with anxiety before procedure.