Results

I went today to see my specialist who is not a Neurologist but an Internal Medicine specialist.

Results
Blood work came back ok
Urine showed that Diabetes may have been present longer than we thought so it is a warning sign to keep weight down and maintain tight control of sugars which I am doing.
Bulging discs lower spine and neck.
Head CT mostly ok but he did not elaborate.

He tried to tell me the bulging discs would be why my right leg has pain down the back of the leg. I said to him I have never had pain in my right leg down the back. I have more trouble with the left leg but not pain down the back of it. I have itching and burning pain in my outer left thigh and now beginning in outer right thigh a little. I have burning pain in other places on my body too.

He then said it is Meralgia Paresthetica caused by a trapped nerve in the groin.  Now I did read that MS can also cause Meralgia Paresthetica . I researched this and it said it is always on one side of the body only, when caused by a trapped nerve in the groin. I have it on both sides and in other places on my body.

I did ask about the MS as I had been told by Primary care Dr that he has suspected MS, he said yes he did as any young (he is flattering me now) woman presenting with neurological symptoms that is first thing comes to mind. I have also had a past history of MS symptoms which maybe he has now forgotten. It started years ago with  bad vertigo and vomiting. Balance issues and co-ordination problems. Eventually it settled and returned for brief periods not as severe over the next few years sometimes with a break of years between. Every time i got a flare up of neurological symptoms I got more symptoms and some of the old ones would return some did not. I have had times where I could not walk and also walked with a cane. Chiropractic mostly did not help at all except for one time with a man who had a different approach to the norm.

My symptoms this time have been happening for months, balance issues, co-ordination, clumsiness like falling into things bumping everything in my path, numbness, tingling, electric shock type symptoms, bladder problems, blurry vision, reaching for things and falling short or over shooting, tremor, cognitive issues etc

I asked him about my vertigo and nausea and he said maybe the bulging discs are causing that. I asked about my balance and co-ordination problems and you guessed it bulging discs could be causing that to.I did not go on to list my other symptoms cause I knew the answer now. Even my worsening cognitive symptoms he said were due probably to being ill and tired. I find that condescending as if I have lost my intelligence and do not know the difference between cognitive problems and mind and body fatigue.

I do not think any of the above findings proves or disproves I have MS. However he did say he would treat me the same if I do have MS???

He wanted to start me on Cymbalta for the burning nerve pain but unfortunately it is not covered on my drug plan so I have left a message for him to prescribe something else.

I want to know what you guys think.................and have any of you also got bulging discs as I am wondering if that is in fact the cause of everything and I should just accept that, but when I do read up on bulging discs it says they are common and often cause no pain at all and do not usually need treating.

I am not asking you to diagnose as I know you cannot I am just asking for your thoughts, experiences anything helpful.

I have never had an MRI done or lumbar puncture etc.

I feel as if the answers I have gotten from the DR do not explain in my eyes all my symptoms nor do they make me feel less worried.

Thanks everyone in advance.

Hugs

Sarah

Sarah

[young at heart]

WELCOME,

SWEETIE YOU NEED A NEUROLOGIST AND A NEUROSURGEON FOR EXPERT ADVICE.

BULGING DISK CAN CAUSE MANY SYMPTOMS,BUT THE NORM IS BELOW THE SITE OF THE DISK.

A CT SCANS ARE OKAY,BUT FOR EVEN BULGING DISK ARE BEST EVALUATED BY AN MRI.

THERES A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BULGING DISK AND HERNIATED.THE ONLY WAY A BULGING DISK OR A HERNIATED DISK WILL CAUSE NEUROLOGICAL DEFICITS IS IF THERE IS ENCROACHMENT INTO THE SPINAL CORD AS IN A SPINAL CORD DEFORMITY.

I HAVE HAD 2 LUMBAR HERNIATED DISK,HAD PAIN BUT NOT UNTIL THEY PUSHED ON THE SPINAL CORD.

YES PAIN FROM SPINAL ISSUES CAN CAUSE RESIDUAL SYMPTOMS SUCH AS ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION.

THEY DO NOT CAUSE COGNITIVE ISSUES NOR VETIGO WITH NAUSEA.IF THE DISK ARE CAUSING IMPINGEMENT THEY CAN CAUSE LOSS OF BALANCE,BUT WHAT YOU HAVE WROTE IT DOESN'T SOUND LIKE IT.

FOR THE DISK GET AN EXPERT OPINION AS IN AN NEUROSURGEON,FOR THE VERTIGO,SEE AN ENT----THIS DR CAN RUN A ENG/VNG TO TELL IF ITS PERIPHERIAL OR CENTRAL.A NEUROLOGIST CAN SORT OUT WHAT NEUROLOGICAL AND WHATS NOT.

MRI'S WILL TELL WHAT IS TRUELLY GOING ON.

YOUR INTERNIST MIGHT BE A SPECIALIST AS AN INTERNIST,BUT YOU TRUELLY NEED THESE OTHER SPECIALIST TO RULE IN WHAT IS WHAT AND WHAT IS NOT.

WHEN DEALING WITH THE SPINE TO MANY DRS WANNA BLAME EVERYTHING ON THE BULGING DISK,WHEN I WAS HAVING NEUROLOGICAL PROBLEMS,I HAD SEEN MY NEW NEUROSURGEON,A NEUROSURGEON AT THE CLEVELAND CLINIC AND I WENT BACK TO MICHIGAN TO SEE THE ORIGINAL SURGEON AND THEY ALL RULED OUT THE PRIOR LUMBAR SURGERIES,IT WAS MY NEW NEUROSURGEON WHO SENT ME TO MY NEUROLOGIST,THROUGH MANY TEST AND DIFFERENT SPECIALIST I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH MS.

ITS NOT AN EASY ROAD BUT ONE WELL WORTH TRAVELING IF MS IS SUSPECTED.

T-LYNN

[Freespirit24]

Thank you Lynn, that is a very informative post. My husband and I are going to move to a city for a time to get it sorted out as we live in a small country town right now. So in a few months hopefully we can go.
In the meantime I am hoping the new meds I am waiting on for the nerve pain will help with the burning pain I get in different places on my body. If i see him again I will also ask if I can have something to help the spasticity, spasms and cramps.............if not i will have to live with those a bit longer. I have problems with muscle weakness too but we intend to get it all sorted out in a bigger place whit more medical help.

Sarah

[floridamom2]

Hi!  I don't think we have met but my MRI has bulging discs in cervical and lumbar spine also along with Facet arthropothy and synovial cysts.  I have been doing some research on the relationship of Arthritis of the vertbrae and MS and apparently there is a correlation which may be why so many of us here have spinal issues along with the neurological MS type symptoms.  I will try to find a link to good info to attach.

Take care and I hope you get some answers soon!
Kristin  

[Freespirit24]

Thank you so much for your reply and if you find the link I will be most interested to read it. I feel very low right now and need to get the pain dealt with then step back and breathe and listen to my body instead of my mind and see what to do next.

Hugs

sarah

[monotreme]

Hi Sarah,
  It is very interesting that so many forum members have spine issues.  I would be interested in the link too.  Best of luck.  Is there any way you could just travel to doctors instead of moving??   I have found that the larger medical centers are not necessarily the best way to go.  

  Large medical centers tend to be impersonal and overwhelmed with patients.  I would research some centers and just travel to some.  It may not be worth the time and trouble to move.

  Elaine

[Deb61]

Sarah,

I have bulging discs in the cervical spine and have many of the symptoms you have.  But the problem is MS causing most of the problems--not the bulging discs.  The bulging discs are not pressing on my spinal cord.  That was evident in the MRI.

You're long overdue to see a neurologist/MS Specialist.  I think that that person is the most likely person to figure things out for you.  

Deb

[sllowe]

Hi there,

I too, have the bulging discs in the C and T spine, and HNP neck area(C) with moderate mass effect on the thecal sac.  This was seen at the time of my MRI's and MS workup.  My Neuro did not feel it was causing my problems, and I was dx'd w/MS.  2nd opinion did not feel it was the problem either.

Just adding my experience too, I did a lot of digging as well on the spine and discs, and HNP's.  Some of the literature does say you can have Neurological problems as "T" says, however, it's up to the Neuro to put it all together.

Interesting though, how we have so many people on the board w/spine problems. I think bulging discs are common, but the MRI's should reveal if they are pressing on the cord.

good luck to you, I hope you find a good thorough Dr,
be well,
SL

[Freespirit24]

I value and appreciate all the info you guys have given and your thoughts and experiences it is very helpful. I got so stressed over the visit with the specialist that my ulcerative colitis has flared up so bad it has knocked the socks of me. You know to my fellow friends that Ulcerative is an autoimmune disease and on my research I found it is also associated with MS. I was only recently diagnosed with it after having it for over a year.

I have been worry myself sick literally over what the IM specialist said and didn't say and what is my next step. I have tried to relax a bit today to ease the stress levels and give my body a chance to calm down.

Sarah

I will keep you updated as I process things better but i know for sure I have to take over control of my medical stuff and find the right Doctors and let them know what I need from them. You know they are there to serve us without patients they would not have a job. They are not gods they are people who we pay to find out what is wrong with us and treat us.

Kristen,if you find that link please post it here I will be very appreciative.

[sllowe]

Hey Sarah,

It's understandable that your head is all over the map.  Makes you feel like you've gotten "dumb" when cognitive issues surround you.  So much of what you write, I can relate too.  All I can say is that my Dr told me that I would continue to improve, and I looked at him in tears, something I rarely do, and said are you kidding me?

I did start to improve after 3 months or so.  Some things have not gotten better, but if something gives for you, it makes it easier to deal with.

The best thing you can do, is what you are with giving your body some time to heal, and calm.  I was so glad to read you were doing that.  It's so very important.  

One thing at a time girl, it's all you can do for now.  I was prescribed xanax when everything started.  It didn't get rid of symptoms, just helped me get through them without sending anxiety through the roof.  All this is so very hard when you are not in control of what is happening, and you want to be.

Keep us posted,
be well,
SL

[Freespirit24]

Thank you for your reply. I started Lyrica today for the nerve pain, it is not covered on the disability drug plan here so it was a major decision for us, but i am trusting that we will be able to pay for it. I need to deal with the pain so I can feel clear headed to move forward to finish getting some proper diagnosis.

It is important to step back sometimes, and be still. That is when we truly hear.

Hugs

sarah

[Freespirit24]

Hey did not Know those A's at the top right increase the size of the print that is cool.!!!

Well thought I would research a Neurosurgeon here in Ontario and ask for a referral. But there is a shortage of them here, I found info on 2 only. People are waiting a year or more.

So I am now wondering if I should ask the Family Doctor if they can organise MRI's that way at least then I can see if I need the Neurosurgeon or if i need go straight to an MS specialist.

I am not sure what to do.?

I have neuropathy in many places on my body which i now just have started on Lyrica so will be over a week and a half till I know if it is helping. I have spasms and cramps in legs, and feet and my face is still numb on the left side and the left side of my throat also. I have cognitive problems too. Now i know some of the symptoms could be related to the bulging discs but wonder if all of them are.

If I ask my family Dr from MRI's what should I ask for...................any help is appreciated.

Thanks

Sarah

[essdipity]

In my opinion you should put off the neurosurgeon. Surgeons like to operate, after all. It's what they do. Surgery on your spine should be a last resort, not a first.

I can't imagine why you haven't had some MRIs. That should have been the first thing ordered. Please see an MS specialist as soon as you can. You need someone who knows how to evaluate you, and not blame everything on bulging disks.

I in fact have a couple of disks that bulge, and I think most people do as they age. But unless they are impinging on the spinal cord, they are not what is causing your symptoms. Please get better medical help.

ess

[Freespirit24]

Thanks for responding I felt i needed to hear other peoples opinions.

I think in light of the lack of neurosurgeons an MS specialist can see if the discs are causing proplrms and determine what symptoms might be attributed to that and what is possible MS or something else.

Hugs

sarah

[limoges]

I was overdosed from a brain and neck perfusion CAT scan and now have been diagnosed with a bulging disc. From the radiation overdose I had memory and cognitive problems, balanceoff, nausea, burning in hands up arms and burning in feet uplegs. Left upper back pain, like bee stinging. You could have been radiation overdosed.

Becky