neurological exam

You know that test that your neuro does when s/he asks you to hold your hands out, spread your fingers and close your eyes?  Do you know the name of this test, and what it indicates?  

When I do it myself, I wait ten seconds, open my eyes and see that the fingers on my left hand (the one that is pretty much numb) have shifted.  My index finger drifts downward, and my middle finger drifts over towards my ring finger.  The movement is pretty pronounced, although I don't sense this happening with my eyes closed.  Eyes open, I struggle for my left hand to remain still.  Not tremors, just fingers drifting to one side or the other, or downward.  No problem with right hand at all.

I always passed this one in the neuro's office, as recently as 2 months ago.

Any idea if this indicates a possible motor issue, or is this likely purely sensory, and related to the numbness?  I think I read before that this might indicate position sense?  

db

[Quixotic1]

Hi, there.  The test is officially called the Romberg and done for balance.  But, they can see a lot more things happening with it like what you describe.

It's hard to say what you have happening.  To me it sounds like a combination of things.  One you have a slight predominance of muscle action happening that pulls the fingers off.  Second, you would likely have some "position sense" (proprioception) problem in that hand, because you are not aware that your hand position is changing.  So I would say a mixture of motor and sensory.

Quix

[jensequitur]

A positive result for Romberg is when you put your feet together and close your eyes, and you go right over, because you can't tell whether you're vertical or not.  I have this problem... still have it as of this morning, because like a dummy I decided to test it while I was standing at the sink, washing dishes.  Plonk!  Went right over, but fortunately the countertop stopped me from falling any further.

[jensequitur]

Oh - I should say that with my eyes open, I can stand upright without any real problem, aside from a little swaying.  That's what the Romberg is testing - your ability to stay upright with eyes closed and with eyes open.

[Momzilla]

It's so funny.  Something similar happens to me when I have an exam by the neuro who told me I have 'complex migraines.'

When I'm sitting there with my eyes closed, hand out, digits spread, all my fingers begin to droop, and fall except for my middle one.  Then my whole hand twists around, and my other fingers ball up, almost like a fist, again, except for my middle finnger, which stands erect.  

Then I get the an abnormal sensation of satisfaction that washes over the rest of my body.  

What's funny, is it's ONLY happened since he diagnosed me with complex migraines....Anyone else do that?

Zilla*

[jensequitur]

I get this uncontrollable impulse to shove my foot... ahem.  Excuse me.  ;-)

[jensequitur]

Let's just say that neurologists can be really annoying!

[Momzilla]

Ah, the knee reflex test.  Perfect reaction!  I'm going to borrow that one, if you don't mind...

Zilla*

[doublevision1]

Zilla, what you describe happening with your fingers during this test is much like what happens to me (left hand only).  Only I don't feel an abnormal sense of satisfaction; more like dismayed and disconcerted, as in, oh dear, things seem to be getting worse.  This only started happening to me in the past couple of weeks.

I am confused about exactly what is Romberg's?  I thought this is what Jen sescribes...the standing with feet together, eyes closed, and check for swaying/toppling over.  I don't have a problem with this one.  Is this somehow related to the hands stretched out/fingers drifting test, and both tests are called the Romberg test?

[Momzilla]

Hey, DB~

Romberg's test is where they have you stand up, feet together, eyes closed, and test your balance.  You're exactly right.  I don't know of another test referred to as Romberg's.

And, you'll have to forgive my feeble attempt at humor.....

The hand maneuver I was describing before was ME flipping my neuro the BIRD because he frustrates me so!!!!  That's the reason for the feeling of satisfaction.  Poor attempt, I know....

I have had the feeling YOU describe when I've done dysmetria tests before.  In fact I just started doing an exercise routine to a DVD in my home, and I do "reverse lunges."  You stand and put one leg all the way behind you and slide it back, forward.  I can't do it smoothly.  At all!  And I notice how very weak my left leg is when I do side lifts.  So, I DO understand your "things are getting worse" feeling.  Hate that!  

Hang tight!  We'll get there with our humor intact, hopefully!

Feel well,

Zilla*

[doublevision1]

ohhhhhhhh, now I get it!  I thought you meant that you had gotten a sense of satisfaction from being able to 'prove' to the doc that something is wrong, having been a limbolander for so long (ie: simliar to the 'relief' of an MS dx...which differs so much from my experience of not relief, but of panic and horror at mt dx, never really having spent time in limbo-he**).  
I wasn't offended AT ALL by your joke - sorry if it seemed I was.  I just missed it entirely!  And it is funny!  

[Momzilla]

I'll keep my day job.

[doublevision1]

It probably has a better benefits package than this gig.

[Momzilla]

Tru dat, sista!

[Quixotic1]

I get that knee jerk thingy.  They are very active.  I kicked my doc in the nuts.  He turned a nasty shade of gray, but he was gracious about it.  He stand to the side now.

My grandmother taught me to give people my little finger.  She's says that is what you do when you don't "want to give the very best/"

Quizzle sticks