Quix, can u help, please?

Ive had alot of people ask me about my cervical, thoracic,and lumbar MRI'S. I have multiple herniations on all 3 levels. My brain MRI showed small scattered foci that could be from migraines, an old infarct, or demyelination.They keep asking me if Ive been in a bad car accident. I have no idea why my spine is as bad as it is.My question to you is, Can MS cause all these herniations all down my spine? Im at a loss at why my back is so messed up.

[Johnny Utah]

It's interesting that they found multiple herniations on my spine as well but I have never had any back problems that I can remember. They could be genetic, I recently found out that my brother has very similar herniations and he also has never had a head or spinal injury. I was told that none of them in my case are causing any nerve damage.

Johnny

[Rutey]

Hi Johnny,
Thanks for responding to my post. I have already seen a neurosurgeon about the cervical MRI and he says I need surgery on my C7 T-1 because its compromising my spinal cord. I then asked for a complete spine MRI. Then they found i have herniations on the thoracic and lumbar, plus severe arthritis. Im not having problems with my back at all though. Its my right shoulder, arm, and both legs. It started as numbness and tingling, but now its spasms and shakyness all the time. I guess I must have some nerve damage. Im actually hoping that that is what its is and not MS. My pcp is concerned about MS due to the headaches, limb weakness, fatigue, and eye problems. Do you have MS, or were you responding to the multiple herniations that you have?

[Johnny Utah]

I have been dealing with MS symptoms for about 3 years now. I have not been diagnosed yet. I have all the classic MS issues, lesions, numbness in the right arm and right leg, chronic pain in both, I have been diagnosed with cognitive problems associated with the left brain, memory recall issues, speech problems, and weakness & fatigue.

My herniations were discovered while doing MRIs to confirm if lesions were present in my spine. My neurologist dismissed them as a cause of my symptoms which I believe to be correct. I did suffer a blow to the head about 10 years ago (smashed it on the bottom of a swimming pool) and required 22 stitches. It's possible it was a result of that but my brother has 3 herniations himself. It would seem in my case to be genetic.

A lot of your symptoms should like MS. I have no idea if nerve damage in the spine would cause all those issues, its very possible I guess.

Johnny

[Quixotic1]

This is a quickie.  Compression of the spinal cord can mimic MS with regard to the functions below that level.  However the results of NCV and physical exam can help sort it out.  But, back problems and herniated discs are common and can co-exist with MS.  This is when the picture gets horribly muddy as many members will tell you.  You need to fix the things that need fixing and see what you are left with.  I don't think I have ever looked over all of your data.  I'll try to do that.

The many way that MS could interact with, or cause herniations, would be by spasticity and uneequal pulling on an already weakened (and predisposed back), with severe changes in posture and gait, which affect the back and with falls, which are frequent in MS.  The back can also be weakened by disuse, being bedridden and the resultant loss of bone density.  So MS can have secondary or indirect effects on the back.

Rutey - The fatigue, eye problems, shoulder and probably the arm are not due to a problem at C7-T1.

I see why your PCP is concerned and should keep looking.

Johnny - thanks for your imput.  I do think overall back function, strength and arthritis are highly genetic.

Quix