Aa
Waiting for brain MRI results with terrifying neck pain.
I just want to know if anyone else has had neck pain (near base of skull) that is so painful and radiant
That it scares you? I had my first MRI tonight. Last night I had a ct scan of
Cervical spine to see if this pain is coming from disc compression. The ct scan showed only mild herniation in c3 Memothrough c5 as normal with age. They told me my Cspine is rather average except for some barely visible "spot" on cord. Yesterday the neck pain, burning, and nerve pain running into chest, shoulders and arms came on so suddenly. I also have a weird bulky sensation
When swallowing. So far i am MS probable, and will know more by Friday. I have read a lot on neck pain and see that many have experienced it at some point, but do people ever pain so severe that you feel like you can't possibly keep your sanity? It just doesn't make sense that my c-spine is causing so much hell yet I have no major disc compression.
This is all new to me and I haven't yet learned to cope very well. I'm 33 and feel like an ancient man.
That it scares you? I had my first MRI tonight. Last night I had a ct scan of
Cervical spine to see if this pain is coming from disc compression. The ct scan showed only mild herniation in c3 Memothrough c5 as normal with age. They told me my Cspine is rather average except for some barely visible "spot" on cord. Yesterday the neck pain, burning, and nerve pain running into chest, shoulders and arms came on so suddenly. I also have a weird bulky sensation
When swallowing. So far i am MS probable, and will know more by Friday. I have read a lot on neck pain and see that many have experienced it at some point, but do people ever pain so severe that you feel like you can't possibly keep your sanity? It just doesn't make sense that my c-spine is causing so much hell yet I have no major disc compression.
This is all new to me and I haven't yet learned to cope very well. I'm 33 and feel like an ancient man.
Hi shell,
I was just wondering, in your experience do you ever get numbness in your face or head, or in half of it? Usually this comes on for me when I'm at rest, or after exertion. I got very confused after I had my emg. I thought with all the nerve pain and sensation in my body that something would show up but it didn't.
Nicolas
I was just wondering, in your experience do you ever get numbness in your face or head, or in half of it? Usually this comes on for me when I'm at rest, or after exertion. I got very confused after I had my emg. I thought with all the nerve pain and sensation in my body that something would show up but it didn't.
Nicolas
Good luck and def keep us informed !!!
Never had mono and I think they tested for Epstein Barr virus 5 years back when I was admitted to hospital. Believe it was negative.
Valarie
Never had mono and I think they tested for Epstein Barr virus 5 years back when I was admitted to hospital. Believe it was negative.
Valarie
That is 100% what I feel during those episodes !!! Exactly !!
It makes u freeze and it's just for a complete second!!! So bizarre !!!
It makes u freeze and it's just for a complete second!!! So bizarre !!!
I will look more into the disc herniations of course. And the MRI series I'm having this week will tell more. The "spot" on the c-spine I mentioned was what I heard the radiologist at the hospital tell the doctor in regard to my ct scan. He said, "I saw a spot on one of the slices but then I couldnt get it to show up again." before rhe scan i asked id they could
Tell me directly if they saw any lesions. it was a base level ct scan, so that doesn't surprise me. I Just had a High powered MRI of brain last night and hope I hear the results soon. I Wonder how long it takes to get them!
Thank you for all of your support and comments. It really helps to know
That others are going through similar experiences. I'll post more about the MRI results as soon as I know.
Tell me directly if they saw any lesions. it was a base level ct scan, so that doesn't surprise me. I Just had a High powered MRI of brain last night and hope I hear the results soon. I Wonder how long it takes to get them!
Thank you for all of your support and comments. It really helps to know
That others are going through similar experiences. I'll post more about the MRI results as soon as I know.
Hi there,
Fellow c-spine disc issues w/life altering pain here. Mine is from herniations. I would say it's important to get a better look at those herniations by someone other than who looked at them initially, to make sure there is no compression on the cord.
The spot on the cord deserves another look at. Lesions are typically described (as they relate to MS) to be w/in the spinal cord, not on.
Sorry you are going through this. If it were me, I'd look into a spine specialist for an opinion, better yet, research one that specializes in the c-spine vs those who work more w/lumbar.
My saving grace after years of pain came from epidural injections. The specialist went as high as he would risk (cord gets small up there and it can be risky), so had them high T, low C. I'm living my life now w/minimal pain. My minimal may be moderate or severe to those who have never lived with such pain, but truly been a life saver for me.
I wish you well with some help. If buldging there is a lot one can do to help heal and avoid full herniations.
Wishing you well,
-Shell
Fellow c-spine disc issues w/life altering pain here. Mine is from herniations. I would say it's important to get a better look at those herniations by someone other than who looked at them initially, to make sure there is no compression on the cord.
The spot on the cord deserves another look at. Lesions are typically described (as they relate to MS) to be w/in the spinal cord, not on.
Sorry you are going through this. If it were me, I'd look into a spine specialist for an opinion, better yet, research one that specializes in the c-spine vs those who work more w/lumbar.
My saving grace after years of pain came from epidural injections. The specialist went as high as he would risk (cord gets small up there and it can be risky), so had them high T, low C. I'm living my life now w/minimal pain. My minimal may be moderate or severe to those who have never lived with such pain, but truly been a life saver for me.
I wish you well with some help. If buldging there is a lot one can do to help heal and avoid full herniations.
Wishing you well,
-Shell
Agreeing with Kyle about htat spot.
Valarie, for years I've had a sporadic ZAP or SNAP sort of feeling that starts about the level of the top of my shoulder and seems to run upward along the muscle up the back of my neck to the base of the skull. When it hits that point, there's a moment of "ringing" like a tuning fork, spread across the surface of my head, diminishing from rear to front, and largely hemispheric. The whole thing takes maybe a quarter of a second. Happens rarely, almost always with some kind of neck movement that seems to trigger it, but I can't make it happen. Sound at all like what you described?
I am thinking more and more I need to have someone good look at my whole spinal structure.
Valarie, for years I've had a sporadic ZAP or SNAP sort of feeling that starts about the level of the top of my shoulder and seems to run upward along the muscle up the back of my neck to the base of the skull. When it hits that point, there's a moment of "ringing" like a tuning fork, spread across the surface of my head, diminishing from rear to front, and largely hemispheric. The whole thing takes maybe a quarter of a second. Happens rarely, almost always with some kind of neck movement that seems to trigger it, but I can't make it happen. Sound at all like what you described?
I am thinking more and more I need to have someone good look at my whole spinal structure.
Hi Fugue - I would want to know much more about " barely visible "spot" " on my spinal cord, if I were you. Who read the MRI?
Kyle
Kyle
Glad to hear you're getting a higher powered MRI soon. I guess that can make all the difference. Has your rheumatologist ever checked your Epstein Barr antibodies at the time of a flare up? This, along other unusual antibody titer results is what made my immunologist suspect a neuro autoimmune problem. Apparently , in MS, people show rising Epstein Barr antibodies just before and during a relapse. Even if you've already has mono years ago! I had these show up, as well as a decreased c3
Complement level, and several false positive Lyme Elisa tests. My doc said that all of these things may happen with autoimmune flare ups. So I was just curious if you've had other tests like this performed .
And it's definitely better to know. My friends think I'm insane for wanting a diagnosis, any diagnosis! The worst thing is being told there's nothing wrong when your body feels like it is no longer yours. I had to quit my job teaching because my students couldn't understand what I was saying in the last few
Days of class. It was like my face and throat were trying to move through sludge and I couldnt get the words out. So they were like "what the hell did you just say?". Even though my neck is killing me tonight, I still think the worst part is the soul-sucking exhaustion.
Complement level, and several false positive Lyme Elisa tests. My doc said that all of these things may happen with autoimmune flare ups. So I was just curious if you've had other tests like this performed .
And it's definitely better to know. My friends think I'm insane for wanting a diagnosis, any diagnosis! The worst thing is being told there's nothing wrong when your body feels like it is no longer yours. I had to quit my job teaching because my students couldn't understand what I was saying in the last few
Days of class. It was like my face and throat were trying to move through sludge and I couldnt get the words out. So they were like "what the hell did you just say?". Even though my neck is killing me tonight, I still think the worst part is the soul-sucking exhaustion.
Ugh it's a long road !!
No lesions that have been detected. I have only had a couple T1 imaging in the past but I have symptoms from paralysis, numbness, tingling, hot and cold sensations, weakness and heaviness when walking, tight band like sensations around chest area the list goes on......
A rheumatologist and other doctors have suspected MS. They always said they couldn't rule it out and to this day continuing symptoms with areas of permanent numbness. Found a amazing doctor that is a MS specialist in Arizona that is doing a EMG and MRI of brain and spinal cord again.
Hopefully get out of this MS limbo and move on with my life! Sometimes it's better to know then not know!
No lesions that have been detected. I have only had a couple T1 imaging in the past but I have symptoms from paralysis, numbness, tingling, hot and cold sensations, weakness and heaviness when walking, tight band like sensations around chest area the list goes on......
A rheumatologist and other doctors have suspected MS. They always said they couldn't rule it out and to this day continuing symptoms with areas of permanent numbness. Found a amazing doctor that is a MS specialist in Arizona that is doing a EMG and MRI of brain and spinal cord again.
Hopefully get out of this MS limbo and move on with my life! Sometimes it's better to know then not know!
Yes. That's fueling my anger more than anything; that we have this brick wall drop out of nowhere in the midst of our most productive years. There is so much I haven't done this year. My symptoms started in my mid 20's too, but I was easy to ignore them without health insurance. What does your MRI history show im terms of lesions? Or
Rather, what is the thing that keeps it uncertain for yOu?
Rather, what is the thing that keeps it uncertain for yOu?
I know !!!!! We are very patient individuals!!!! Haha , thank u! I hope there is answers soon also to get me out of this limbo !
I only get those shock sensations in my neck and head. Although i also have trigeminal neuralgia and get severe pain and surges in my face. Just horrible!!! But yeah WOW they stop u with whatever ur doing!!
By the way I'm only 35 and started having symptoms at 29, feels like it robs us when we are in the prime of our lives :(
I only get those shock sensations in my neck and head. Although i also have trigeminal neuralgia and get severe pain and surges in my face. Just horrible!!! But yeah WOW they stop u with whatever ur doing!!
By the way I'm only 35 and started having symptoms at 29, feels like it robs us when we are in the prime of our lives :(
Vwick77. 5 years! I really hope you can get some closure/answers soon. I'm guessing that some of the most patient people in the world can be found here! I too get that shock in my head. It starts in top of head or face and runs diagonally across my lips and into my shoulder. It's always when I'm trying to relax! My biggest fear is some sort of spinal cord or brain stem tumor, but that's just thinking the worst. Do you get those shock sensations in other body areas too? They are not often for me, but they are powerful.
So I've tried the l'hermitte's thing and the result is that I get a buzzing (heightened tingle) down my arms and down my spine. But it does not go into my legs . It stops around my tailbone as far as I can feel. It's very uncomfortable, but it doesn't make me jump at all. It just makes me wish I hadn't done it. I'm not sure if there are variations on this sensation for other people. Tonight I just feel like there's a dull electric tingke in my neck, back and more in my left arm.
Hi and welcome!!! Awesome people on this board !
I'm also in the "possibility of MS" currently under going test and 5 years in
I have severe "cramping" and "tightness" that happens on occasion in my neck, very very uncomfortable and painful. I have also experienced electric shocks going through my neck up into my head that is horribly painful and stops me in my tracks.
Not sure if your getting any of those types of feelings but thought I would throw my own experience in.
This process can be lengthy but I hope you get some answers!
Sure others will offer advice also :)
God luck and let us know how everything goes!
Valarie
I'm also in the "possibility of MS" currently under going test and 5 years in
I have severe "cramping" and "tightness" that happens on occasion in my neck, very very uncomfortable and painful. I have also experienced electric shocks going through my neck up into my head that is horribly painful and stops me in my tracks.
Not sure if your getting any of those types of feelings but thought I would throw my own experience in.
This process can be lengthy but I hope you get some answers!
Sure others will offer advice also :)
God luck and let us know how everything goes!
Valarie
I have had neck pain for years (six bulging disks in the c-spine), but what you're describing sounds like it's beyond anything I've experienced. What happens when you bend your head forward to your chest?
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