Question
I have cervical spondylosis. My MRI detials are --1) straightning of cervical spine(2)Marginal osteophytosis from C2 to C2 levels with indentation over the cal sec particularly at C5/6and C6/7. (3)degenertive disc disease.
C2/3-- posterio left lateral annular bulging is present causing significat compression of left existing nerve root.
C3/4 intervertebral disc-- mild bilateral posttero lateral annular bulging is present.
C5/6 diffuse posterior annular bulging particularly towards left side is present.
C6/7- intervertebral disc-- diffuse posterior annular bulging causing bilateral lateral recessnarriwing and compression of bilatral existing nerve roots
Spinal canal diameters are normal.

Now I am also getting difficult in sleep. In the early part of sleep I am waking up with breathing problem and during this time I fell that I am having some obstruciton in the throat. Also I am feeling shotness of breath sometimes.  

Answer
Dear Kunche,

Not sure exactly what you want me to comment on here as you have not stated a specific question but, here are a few comments.

The MRI documents a bunch of degneration.  The fact that you have thecal sac indentation at C5/C6 and C6/C7 is not good.  This means that the sac which encses your brain is being pressed on.  As this progresses, the spinal cord will eventually become compressed.  Not to mention that the disc bulging is compression upon the nerve roots is bad.  These nerve roots supply and receive information to the shoulders, arm, and hands.  As this progreses you may lose muscular function as well as have increases in pain and tingling.  Good news here is that so far your spinal canal diameters are normal...this means no present stenosis (spinal cord narrowing).

In my opinion, you should seek the advise and consultation of a neurosurgeon to see if you are a candidate for surgical correction.  Most likely procedures would be a diskectomy and foraminotomy to clean up the disc bulges and the bone spurs.  These operative procedures are commonly performed with good results for the patient.  Other procedures such as a laminectomy are probably not indicated here, but this needs to be opined on by the neurosurgeon.  

Conservative care such as chiropractic, physical rehab, etc... can help to control pain and reduce pressure on the disks and joint spaces, but it will not address the underlying degeneration which has already occurred.

Concerning the sleep symptoms, this can be due to unrelated issue such as sleep apnea, or could be the result of compression in the neck while lying down.  There is no way for me to give you anything more than a guess on this.  A sleep study would be a good avenue to explore the original cause of your sleep disturbances.  These are easily performed, non painful, and often they can start trying sleep improvement techniques during the study such as C-PAP airflow delivery systems which are very effective in increasing oxygen delivery to the lungs and allowing the trachea/bronchi to stay open.  I would recommend you also explore this option.

Hope this helps Kunche.

Respectfully,
Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman
www.suncoasthealthcare.net