abnormal reflexes?

[LATW]

I just got my letter from my Ms doctor today. My upper reflexes were 3+ and both of my legs were 4+ with clonus in my right.  

I was not surprised at my right leg but really surprised to hear my upper body and left leg also had problems.

Anyone else have these kinds of reflex scores?  Just curious.

La

[LATW]

I am even trying to get my mind around my situation.  One lesion and ON.  Well, I should be happy, and I am, that this was caught early.
That is where I can be thankful I have ON.  Other than that ON is not a fun time...............

LA

[Momzilla]

It's bizzare to me, too.  I would think that paralysis would mean something.  They want lesions.  Lesions.

Lucky and most unlucky you....

Z*

[LATW]

This is all bizzare to me.  ON and trigeminal neuralgia must really hold a lot of weight in a MS dx.  I just got my t-spine MRI report and that was good...no lesions.  No reason there for my 4+ leg reflex.

My evp's were ok except for the VER.

I just had that one lone lesion on my MRI this summer along with two documented bouts of ON and TN.  Other than that I would be in the same limbo you are in.

LA

[Momzilla]

This lingering in Limboland...  It stinks.  Why is the diagnostic process so different for each person?  It seems like even those who say they are "MS specialists" can't get it right -- at least not right away.

Good luck!  At least you have your lesions.  And I'm sorry.

Zilla*

[biowham]

Mom, frustrated here, too. I have lesions (several in brain). I have pathological reflexes, including clonus. I have paresthesias, +romberg's, right-sided weakness, blah blah blah...and no dx.

[Momzilla]

No ON.  Just episodes of severe leg weakness.  Couldn't walk a few times.  Have all the symptoms everyone here talks about, but mine seem to be bilateral.  I even had Babinski's sign, documented by a neuro.  I get so frustrated.

But I see a new doc now, who is doing evoked potentials finally.  Trouble is, I think they've come out normal.  Drat!

It's just a waiting game.....

Hanging tough!

Zilla*

[LATW]

Ok...I did have one lesion in my white matter. But it was nonspecific.  Have you had ON?

[Momzilla]

Oh, I hear that sheesh, and I raise ya a 'Dagnabbit!'

Good luck!

Zilla*

[nikki861]

same here ........all the symptoms, but no lesions. Blood work tomorrow and then, depending on results LP soon after. Sheshhhhhhhhhhhh

[Momzilla]

No Lesions.

[LATW]

What is keeping you from getting a DX?  I am thinking ON must be a quick trip to a DX when no other cause can be found and you have other MS symptoms.

It is such a crazy thing!!  


LA

[Momzilla]

I got my notes from my last neuro, and my legs were 5+, my arms were 4+.  But, I also had severe weakness in my legs, and moderate weakness in my arms, which didn't seem to make sense to me.  "Increased muscle tone" but "weakness."

Weird.

Ditzilla*

[LATW]

Actually, I am just trying to cement in my head that this dx is real.  It is a difficult thing to do because others seem to have more issues than I do with no dx.  Maybe they just have not found a knowlegeable doctor?  
My doctor based her dx on two episodes of ON, a lesion in the white matter of my brain, 4+ leg reflexes, trigeminal neuralgia, and numbness at various times.
Reading the problems others have, and yet no dx, makes me do a double take in my situation.
I know the ON and TN are two big issues. And my legs are a real problem.  My MS doctor said I am at very high risk for developing a more clinical definate MS so she started me on Avonex.
I guess that means I am at risk for my symptoms to become worse or more of them?  


la

[LATW]

Penn- Yes, I am dx'd.  I just got my report from the doctor and was wondering what it meant.  

Hi Quix.  Thank you.  I was wondering if the hyper reflexes were another sign of MS because I have read that some people have underactive reflexes with MS.  

Does pathological mean it is related to a disorder?  I am dx'd as you know so it really does not matter much at this point.  I am just curious and trying to learn a little more.


LA

[Quixotic1]

Hey Penn, always good to see you.

La - 3+ reflexes are considered brisk, but still within the range of normal.  Lots of things make reflexes brisk.  Anxiety, stimulant meds like caffeine, hyperthryoidism are common ones.  There is nothing to worry about 3+ reflexes.  4+ and 4+ with clonus (extra rhythmic movements) are considered pathological.

(((HUGS)))  Quix

[pennst8r]

Hyper reflexes are associated w/ MS if I'm not mistaken. I forgot - are you diagnosed or not?

Funny thing about MY reflexes is that they had been "brisk" in the past, then were absent for a time. Then back to brisk in the fall. At the doc's this week, they are gone again. Peek-a-boo relfexes, lol!

Penn