Question
Hello and thank you for your time to review my symptoms.
Through the years, I've had 2 car accidents that have tremendously hurt my neck and back.  Diagnosis in 2001: cervical radiculopathy.
But in January and February of this year of this year I could not walk, felt numbness in my left fingers and left toes, could not stand for a long time because I have shortness of breath, and my heart feels like it is going to pop out of my chest, plus a throbbing head ache, like a pounding.  Grocery shopping is a nightmare now.
I am so tired all the time and I cant stop hearing like a popping on my thighs, its like my legs get very stiff and they crack when I try to move them.
Back in March at County Hospital, twice, two different doctors at two different times told me to come back when I had no bowel and bladder control.  I FREAKED!! On the MRI says that I have Kyphosis cervical spine and: "prominent soft tissue density just posterior to maxillary sinuses in anterior nasopharynx and along anterior aspect of nasopharynx." Also: "Small scattered cervical lymph nodes in submandibular regions - 9mm. Mild uncinate process hypertrophy. Mild right neural foraminal narrowing at C4-5.
3mm right paracentral and lateral disc bulge extends into right lateral recess.  Flattening of anterior thecal sac at L4-5.  3-4mm left paracentral disc protrusion which is contiguous with emerging left-sided nerve root.  Minimal facet hypertrophy at L5-S1.  
The following was on bold writting:
LOSS OF NORMAL CERVICAL LORDOSIS, BUT NO FRACTURE OR DISLOCATION. PUNCTATE CALCIFICATIONS NOTED IN CENTRAL ASPECT OF T12-L1 INTERVERTEBRAL DISC. SCLEROTIC CHANGES NOTED ALONG IFERIOR ASPECTS OF T12 AND L1 VERTEBRAL BODIES WHICH MAY REPRESENT SCHMORL'S NODES.
When I looked up Kyphosis cervical spine on the web, I was looking at all of my symptoms.  I have no deformities on my back but I have been in pain for over 7 years.
Why did they told me to come back to the hospital when I HAD NO BLADDER AND BOWEL CONTROL? I am very afraid of what is to become of me.

Answer
hi claudia

basically your spine is losing its natural curve. in "extreme cases" loss of cervical curve can cause paralysis- which would be seen to be beginning if you lost bladder or bowel control

this is not how it normally goes though. you have no fractures of the vertebrae seen in advanced cases, so as long as you get some therapy you ought not to get to the loss of function stage.
prognosis: "The majority of patient with kyphosis respond very well to a combination of physical therapy, exercises, and medications. Even in more severe cases that eventually require surgery, patients are able to return to normal activities without restrictions, in most cases, after they have fully recovered from surgery."

that is quoted from
http://www.medicinenet.com/kyphosis/article.htm

the calcifications mentioned are likely (guessing) a general beginning to arthritis- would not alone cause dramatic issues. You should be checked for osteoporosis as good measure- don't want the vertebrae to be unnecessarily weakened. Other than this, your regular doctor or perhaps an orthopedist should be able to get you started on managing your pain.

good luck!
leslie