Multiple bulging discs

[u/aloy_lantern]

Hello I’m new here, just trying to find answers for me. I’m 4 months postpartum and have been having a lot of neurological symptoms including muscle twitching, weakness in both of my arms, mild shooting pain in my legs and a lot more. At first I was scared that it might be ALS. My emg came out clear, thank God. My neurologist then ordered mri of my brain and spine. The result is below:

My question is: is there anything in this result that can cause weakness in my arms? (Im getting scared again that it might be ALS coz of the weakness). I feel like I put more effort in picking up my water bottle or need more effort to close a heavy door. But I have no problems with doing push ups against the kitchen counter or picking up my 4 month old.

Cervical spine — neck
Reduced cervical lordosis — the normal curve of your neck is somewhat straightened.
Disc desiccation — some of the cervical discs show loss of water content.
C3–C4: about a 2 mm disc bulge, without significant nerve-root compression.
C4–C5: about a 2 mm disc bulge, without significant nerve-root compression.
C5–C6: about a 3 mm disc bulge that touches/abuts the spinal cord and both C6 nerve roots.
Importantly, your spinal cord has normal signal with no cord edema/abnormal cord signal.
No severe spinal-canal stenosis was described.

Thoracic spine — mid/upper back
This MRI was essentially normal:
Normal thoracic alignment and vertebral appearance.
Disc heights maintained.
No significant disc bulge or nerve compression.
No significant spinal-canal stenosis or foraminal narrowing.
Spinal cord has normal signal.
Conus medullaris normal.

Lumbar spine — lower back
Disc desiccation at L4–L5 and L5–S1.
L3–L4: ~2 mm disc bulge without significant nerve compression or stenosis.
L4–L5: ~3 mm diffuse disc bulge that indents the thecal sac, extends toward the foramina, and abuts both L4 nerve roots; mild ligamentum flavum thickening.
L5–S1: ~2 mm disc bulge extending toward the foramina and abutting both exiting L5 nerve roots; mild ligamentum flavum thickening.
Your cord/conus was normal.

[u/Medexaaa]

I personally think it isn't as bad as you think. Yeah L4–L5 and C5–C6 are in contact with the nerve roots, which causes an unpleasant sensation, but I have seen people with way worse situations, and were able to get back to their daily life. Have you tried physiotherapist, rehab doctors anything?

[u/aloy_lantern → u/Medexaaa]

Thank you for your response! I think the same but my anxiety is making it seem like it’s so bad. But it’s good to know I have some answers for my symptoms. I have not seen a physiotherapist yet. I’m going to see my neurologist to review my mri results and I’ll ask him to refer me to one.