Question
MRI showed L5/S1 posterior disc bulge and annular tear, asymetric to the right,with mild stenosis of the right lateral recess. Could you please interpret this? Also, why do I feel sick to my stomache when I stand up and/or walk around much? Celebrex is the only drug I,m on.

Answer
Dear Keith,

The outer portion of the lowest disk in the spine has torn (annulus), and the inner material is pushing outward to create a bulge to the back-right side of the spinal cord.  Stenosis of the lateral recess means that the right areas surrounding the cord (inside the spinal canal)has been made smaller, therefore reducing the amount of space the cord has to move and most likely this will result in inflammation and pain.  Good thing is that the MRI does not indicate that the cord is actually impinged upon,  or that the exiting nerve roots have been compressed.

Feelings of being sick to your stomach could be from compression of that disk and inflammation around the cord when weight bearing, it can be a reaction to increased pain, could have to do with the celebrex, or it could be completely unrelated.  You need to tell your doctor about this though so it can be followed up with, and make sure they know about any bladder or bowel troubles if they occur.  

For a better understanding of the relevant anatomy and terms you can get more information off my website.  I have a glossary section which gives definitions of stenosis, bulges, annulus, etc... to clarify.  In addition, I will list the links to the anatomy for explanations and illustrations to include the stages of disk bulging/herniation below.

http://suncoasthealthcare.net/chiropracticinformation/discherniation.html
http://suncoasthealthcare.net/chiropracticinformation/spinalanatomy-overview.htm...
http://suncoasthealthcare.net/chiropracticinformation/spinalanatomy-detail.html

Hope this all helps Keith.  Good Luck.

Respectfully,
Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman