Thanks Quix

[NrssAngel]

I have an appt to see a Chiropractor with an emphasis on Neurology. Sounds like a new avenue to sell Chiropractic care...will see what he has to say.  I have been seeing a PT but he has been focusing on helping with the neck and shoulder pain, mostly though by having the PTA's do ultrasound with electrical stimulation.  I have also been taking Robaxin which has been helping.
I hope I will get some guidance from the Chiro/Neuro.  I expect that they will do a thorough eval to check for strength, reflexes, etc.  Thanks for your time reviewing my symptoms.  Will keep ya posted!!  
The leg weakness is with any sort of exertion, ie. going up stairs, walking for extended periods etc.  I have also noticed I am weak in the torso/back; starting to develop a slight hump back...uhhh!!!

Have a great weekend!!    

[Quixotic1]

Keep us posted.  Knowing the education that chiro's get, I'm dubious about them having any real neurological knowledge beyond the bony spine and it's function.  But, a thorough eval of strength and reflexes is a good idea.

Sounds like your weakness is of a type from rapid fatigue with repetitive use.  How are you at walking on you toes and your heels?  How about tandem (heel to toe) walking?

Quix

[NrssAngel]

Hi Quix,
How are you?  How was your weekend?  

I had the appt today with the Chiro.  The neuorological work up was impressive.  I don't have all the results back yet.  I tried not to ask the results of every single test she did, for time sake and to ease her ability to focus and get the exam done.  I do know though, from her notes that I had a + Rhomberg test; I started swaying on one leg with my eyes closed.  Completely failed the finger to nose test (dysentria) on both sides.  Her notes said tandem walk with mild to moderate ataxia.  I also had an eye test I have never had.  She had a Dr Suess belt, red and white blocks and I was suppose to focus on each red block as she pulled it side to side and vertically; don't think I did too well on that.  Not sure what the norm is but I could not do it.  Then had to follow the finger.  It was crazy.  When she would come to a stop, my eyes would jump almost as if to catch up.  Another test was to check my peripheral field of vision.  The circles she drew on the graph paper to mark my field was about as big as the palm of your hand.  She said it was suppose to be quarter size.  Also the right was a little lower than the left.  She also noted that my left eye was lower or pointed slightly down compared to my right.  I will get the full explanation when I go back on Wed.  They took x-rays and wanted to put all the info together, plus I'm sure my time was up.  She called her partner in to confirm the results and he wanted to know if I had ever had a CT or MRI.  

What do you think?

Angel    

[maydas2002]

I am very glad that you had a good experience with you Chiropractic Neurologist. Many people do not know what kind of education we recieve as chiropractors (I am a chiro student) and in fact we take in our education many neurology clases (only neurolgy, other classes have neurology blended in them) ranging from basic to advance neurological diagnosis, since we work primarily the with nervous system and use vertebra adjustments to make changes to it and help to boost it, but people just think we are bone doctors!ja!. There is a specialty beyond chiropractic school, just like other health profssionals have, that is Neurology, there others like orthopedics, pediatrics, etc. It is an extra 2 years of specialized neurological instruction, very complicated and clinically oriented. Then you have to pass a neurology board (completely appart from the 4 boards you take in chiroractic school) in order to be called a board certified Chiropractor Neurolgist. Just like with any other neurologist, you are always going to find some of them that you would think they could know better. It is the same in every profession. But the education they get in the Neurology diplomate is top notch.
I gave you this info because there is always a big misunderstanding with the profesion, not that there are no bad chiropractors, believe me, there are, just like in any other health profession. And not all chiropractors know enough for multiple sclerosis, but I am sure a neuro chiropractor will have an  understanding not only of the disease but of the testings to be done to detect demyelination of the central nervous system.
Mayda

[NrssAngel]

Mayda,
I felt confidant that I was in good hands.  I am a little puzzled about the above findings.  Do you have any advice.  My next appt is tomorrow morning and I will get all the results and the plan of care.  

Thanks and I wish you well in your studies,

Angel  

[maydas2002]

Hi. The doctor will give you a very thorough report of findings, You can always ask for copies of it so that you can have it and make sure you have your own file with all your doctors exams and results. The red and white belt measures your smooth pursuit. That tells the doctor about your cerebellar function and contralateral cortex. The good thing about all the neuro tests is that with all the pieces (all the info gathered) they can see where the problem is, midbrain, cerebellum, etc, and make a plan of rehab exercises for it. It sound funny, but just by making you move your eyes in certain ways you make parts of your cerebelum to work and parts of your cortex too. There are many neurological rehab exercises They are not going to give you back what you have lost but they might help keep what is there as healthy and strong as it could be and have a better chance to fight back whenever times of new problems arise. It is very common to have + Rhombergs in patientients with MS but it is not the only thing that can exibit a + Rhombergs. An MRI view in conjunction with + upper and lower neurological findings are the magic combination for diagnosis. Most of the time it takes many doctors to see you and examine you before you get diagnosed, like in my case I have been to many Neurologists and have been tested with Evoke Potential by my Neuro Chiropractor. But make sure you always keep your info, ask for copies and have it yourself. You never know when you need it.
Good luck! Take care
Mayda

[maydas2002]

I forgot to mention that your finings look like a cerebellar problem. Gait problems, finger to nose test, puersuits are most commonly attributed to a cerebellar problem. +Rombergs is more of a Dorsal Collum/Medial Lemniscus track problem but can also be cerebellar. They by themselves only tell you that. Not enough info. That is why I tell you that all tests together, including evoke potentials, blod tests and MRI's will be the necessary for a diagnosis.
See you. Mayda

[Quixotic1]

Mayda has given you a nice answer.  Quix