Hi Quix...sorry it's me again!!!

Hi Quix,

Hope you are ok?  Missed chatting to you when I was away.

Sorry to ask but I have a really stupid question.  I was just catching up on some recent posts and I was reading the post you bumped up about the McDonald Criteria...thanks, great info as always.  

I just wanted to ask you something though.  On one of the subsequent posts on that thread you mentioned when reflexes are...I think you said 'hyper' something during a neuro exam, that it may mean a lesion within a certain area of the cns.  When I had my first, what I call, physical exam, done by my neuro he did the reflex test on my left knee and ankle and there was no response at all...what does this mean? Has my leg finally fallen off...he he!

I know there is a similar post on here about what neuro's do when they do the examination but I've never really understood what they are looking for and what the findings mean?  Really hope that makes sense..probably not..get rather confused these days.

As always I really appreciate your help and wise words.  Got my first MS Specialist apt in 2 days and I'm trying to equip myself with a calm attitude and basic understanding of symptoms, tests etc.

Thanks again

Em  

[EL18]

[Quixotic1]

I dopn't mean to ignore you.  The forum has gotten big, which, makes me glad, but I cannot keep up and I'm in one of those bad eye things again.  I can't really answer your question of the reflexes well because I need to review that part of neuroanatomy.  The reflexes are most often hypereactive in MS, but if the spine lesions become severe they can cut of the part of the pathway which causes the hyperreflexes.  And the reflex can be lost.  Also damage to the peripheral nerves at the spinal will cause loss of reflexes.  In the peripheral demyelinating desease CIDP the reflexes are absent.

So it could well be just a continuation of your underlying disease.  

I know your appointment is tomorrow and it is already 11pm ( I think your time)  Its only 3 pm here.  I'll try to look at your other post.  Your timeline looks GREAT.  See your brain still works, even if nothing else does!

I'm so sorry, Quix

[EL18]

Thanks Quix...just checking my legs were attached....!

Glad the timeline is ok...I had a good teacher!

I am glad to say that these days I can remember my name so I think the brain is improving.  I was hoping it might go to sleep so that it wouldn't recognise the pain of the cramps and spasms I seem to constantly have nowadays but you can't have everything I guess.

Thanks again

Em x