Trying Not to Freak Out

[divewarmwife]

Over the past year, I have been dealing with significant neck pain, and "buzzing" in my right arm/hand. I had an MRI in October, and have done physical therapy, then tried steroid/lidocaine injections with the Neurosurgeon. The Physiologist I saw last week is the first person to show me the MRI and the radiologist's report.

Anyone care to shed some light on this for me? At this point, I'm terrified that it's MS.

There is a right mid and posterior focal area of wedge‐shaped hyperintensity in the cord at C3‐4, measuring up to 4 x 3 x 8 mm ﴾AP x transverse x CC﴿. This involves the right dorsal column as well as right posterolateral grey matter, and likely is responsible for the patients symptoms. No atrophy or mass effect.

Appearance is nonspecific, but demyelination is a differential consideration.

Contrast enhanced MRI of the brain with demyelination protocol and the thoracic spine would be helpful for further evaluation.

[kwarendorf]

HI DWW -

I suspect the disc in your neck is the cause of your symptoms. Symptoms with a mechanical cause, like disc issues, can often mirror symptoms with a neurological basis. A neurologist will help out get to the bottom of things :-)

I would wait and let the neuro order the next MRI. That way he/she doesn't have to rely on anyone else's tests. And try to limit your freak out :-) Even if it truns out to be MS, that doesn't mean the end of life as you know it. I've had it for going on 25 years and my life is pretty freakin good :-)

Kyle

[divewarmwife]

Thank you for the responses. I also have a herniated disc at C5-6, which is what the NeuroSurgeon was treating - but yes, I'm surprised he didn't mention anything about the lesion. My doctor did write a referral to a neurologist - if I don't hear from him tomorrow, I'll call myself. I have asked my Primary Care Physician if it would be appropriate to have the contrast MRI done now, as opposed to waiting for the neurologist to write the order.

I appreciate your input - I'm a little less "freaked out" today than I was yesterday. I'm trying to view this as a "different journey", one step at a time. And - it is what it is. Thanks again!

[HVAC]

The report basically says you need further evaluation by a neurologist. No test can rule MS in or out. It is part of the puzzle. The most important part of the report is the Findings: that is where the radiologist says what he thinks it may be. Radiologists do not diagnose. I would not worry about MS just yet. It can be a number of things. These reports are best interpreted by a neurologist. If you are worried about MS you might get a referral with A MS Specialist.

Alex

[karryon55]

Hi there,

I recommend you make yourself an appointment with a Neurologist rather than a Neurosurgeon because this doc has clearly not really helped you and has not been honest with you as well. It was clearly recommended a repeat MRI to be done to clarify what is going on but this seems to have been missed or ignored by your Neuro. Did you have a brain MRI at the same time or just the spine? As far as I have read on your MRI of your spine there was a lesion found in the neck area.

Please don't be terrified that you have MS because this may not necessarily be the case. There are many neurological conditions to consider and usually lots of testing to be done. Instead of worrying about what this may end up being instead try to focus your energy on finding a cause for your symptoms, finding yourself a good neurologist and hopefully getting onto a treatment plan.

I recommend keeping a journal of your symptoms including the duration of the symptom, intensity, location etc so you have monitored what is happening more clearly before you see the Neuro.

Good luck and keep us updated.

Karry.