Still 'Doin' the Limbo Rock'

[essdipity]

I went to my ENT doctor yesterday (he's just great--why can't neuros be like that??) to have my ears gone over. I didn't think ear trouble was what's causing the rocking and swaying feeling and balance problems, but figured there'd be no harm in making sure.

Well, I was right, my ears are just fine. And as a bonus, a hearing test showed outstanding hearing, which means I've defied a bunch of genes lurking around in my DNA.

I'm still trying to get Hopkins' MS clinic to even answer the phone with a real person, so have made no progress on that front, but I'm keeping on keeping on.

ess

[essdipity]

This forum has so many posts I missed yours. Thanks so much for your comments.I will definitely be looking into a VNG test just to make sure.

As to my MRIs, I'm showing "more" of whatever they are, in the subcortical and periventricular white matter. The radiologist thinks this is most likely microvascular ischemic stuff, and the neuro goes along with that. He didn't look very hard, that's for sure.

ess

[6-paq]

Hmmm.... don't know what to think about the letter.  Although, I must say that I would love it if my neuro would send me one of those!  

The tremors he mentioned sound like "intention tremors".  Intention tremors are often seen in MS.
The 1-2+ reflexes may indicate "hyper" reflexes???  Not sure on that, though.  Hyper reflexes are also seen in MS.

So, your MRI showed no active lesions.  Did it show any lesions at all (sorry, I can't remember if you posted about this)?  My brain MRI didn't show any active lesions either, but my neuro still suspects MS due to the location of one of the two lesions.

A comment about the ENT and your dizziness.  I also have dizziness.  My neuro sent me for a VNG which showed an inner ear vestibular problem.   I went to see an ENT.   I passed my hearing test with flying colors as well as my typanometry test (although I did get dizzy during that one).  

A look into my ears by the ENT looks fine ~ no problems were noted.  However, I do have a test result that shows that I have an inner ear problem.   For some reason, my ENT won't look into it, but I just wanted to comment on my experience since my hearing is fine/ears look ok, but I do have some inner ear-caused dizziness.

Perhaps you can get your neuro (or even the ENT) to order a VNG just to make sure??

Take care!  Pat :)

[pins_n_needles]

I too am in limbo. The letter sounds like something your insurance company might require? Did your PCP refer you to him? Then he might have to send an update to your PCP for your records. I was having trouble getting into OHSU neuro clinic and I am an extremely unpatient person. So when my symptoms were really bad I went into the OHSU emergency. I was there for 10 hours but finally saw an OHSU neruologist. Then the ER referred me to the OHSU clinic, so I got in there on priority instead of having to wait for months on end. Kinda sneaky, but it worked.
pins

[essdipity]

The oddest thing has happened and I don't know how to interpret it. This morning in the mail came a letter from my neuro, sort of parroting back what occurred at my last (and unsatisfactory) session with him. First he described all the things I told him about, symptoms and so on. He said the last MRI did not indicate any signs of any active lesions. By that he was talking about 'with contrast.' I'll have to read Quix's MRI post again to understand this better--when lesions are active and what shows and so on, though I'd appreciate more clarification from this forum.

Anyway, then he described all the tests he did in the office, one by one, and noted that each was normal, except, "You had tremors that worsened towards the reaching of targets, be it either of my fingers or your nose. When you walked in tandem (one foot in front of the other), both your legs shook somewhat and when you walked routinely, you did sway from side to side." He said my reflexes were at 1-2+ bilaterally, which I guess is normal, but I have no idea how reflexes are measured.

He went on to reiterate that he doesn't think I have MS, nor does he recommend a 3T MRI, because no comparison could reliably be made, but will cooperate, etc., etc. Then he said what further tests he ordered, including the carotid ultrasound and the paraneoplastic blood work to look for cancer.

The only parts of this that are new to me involve the way he worded the tremors and walk problems, but I knew about them and everything else he said. So why would he write this letter?? He CC'd my PCP but no one else. Is he just strange? (He's pretty strange interpersonally.) He could sense I didn't like his manner when I was there. Is he trying to cover his behind in some way? I've never gotten a letter like this before. So what do you all think?

ess

[Momzilla]

Glad to "hear" you've overcome your genes!  Good to know that your ears aren't to blame for your troubles...

Good luck with getting a real person.  Isn't that annoying?

I am still enjoying the Limbo Rock, too.  It's got a good beat, and it's easy to dance to!  Well, I don't dance much these days...Let's say the floor moves, and I try to stay still!  Just like you!

Keep on keepin' on!

Zilla*