Brief Answer:
Total Body Pain

Detailed Answer:
Good morning. My name is Dr. Saghafi. I am an adult neurologist and would like to add some comments to your questions to see if I can't help a bit.

I agree that finding the root cause for your pain symptoms should be the goal before deciding upon treatment or changes in treatment.

Obviously, a doctor such as myself is at a decided disadvantage in trying to make accurate diagnoses simply based upon the fact, that I cannot physically lay hands (or even eyes) on you. Therefore, I hope that point is taken into consideration as you read on for my recommendations and suggestions.

You mention that your herniated, injured, and bulging discs are all in the thoracolumbar spines. Can you specifically list their levels such as T10, T11, T12, L1, L2, etc. etc. and tell me which disc is which (which is herniated, which injured, which bulging, etc.)?

As far as your symptoms of numbness, tingling, and pain in the upper extremities I can tell you that disks in the thoracic and lumbar spines should have nothing to do with that situation. If they haven't gotten cervical spine films to check and see if you had any bulging or herniated disks there then, it may be worthwhile to do that. Secondly, if there is any question as to whether or not you may be suffering from either an ulnar neuropathy or Carpal Tunnel Syndrome then, an electrical study such as EMG/NCV can be performed.

In addition, I would recommend that the following labs be ordered if not already:

1. TSH, FT4 (thyroid tests)
2. CBC w/diff (blood counts to check on anemia or not)
3. HbA1C (checking for diabetes if not done recently)
4. B12, folate, Vitamin D (total), D2, D3
5. LIver enzymes and Renal function tests
6. ESR, CRP, RA in order to check for the presence of an inflammatory type of arthritis such as Rheumatoid.
7. MRI of the brain and cervical spine to rule out any demyelinating process in the brain that could be doing this (unlikely) but should be on his radar.

I hope this answer satisfactorily addresses your question. If so, may I ask your favor of a HIGH STAR RATING with written feedback?

Also, if there are no other questions or comments, I'd appreciate it greatly if you would CLOSE THE QUERY on your end so this question can be transacted and archived for further reference by colleagues as necessary.

Please direct more comments and questions to me in the future at:

bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi and I would be honored to answer you and continue this discussion.

All the best.


The query has required a total of 58 minutes of physician specific time to read, research, and compile a return envoy to the patient.

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