New to this kind of problem

[stacy28]

I have had MS for over 8 years now and have a very good knowledge of the disease. Now, however, my last MRI showed disc problems and I'm kind of in the dark.

The MRI showed moderate herniation of the nucleas pulpasis (sp??) at C3-C4

C4-C5 level demonstrates a mild broad disc protrusion which is effacing the anterior subarachnoid space.

C5-C6 level demonstrates a broad left sided osteocartilaginous bar with a supraimposed central disc extrusion causing compression upon the cord.

I have no idea what this means. My neuro was concerned and has referred me to the NS but also said that the existing symptoms I have are from the MS based on the neuro exam although some (like the lack of feeling in my arms and hands and stiff neck) might be the disc stuff. Or, the disc problems might be making the MS flare worse as I have an MS lesion at C5-C6 level also. The neuro suggests surgery. As well, they will be checking out my lumbar spine.

Right now, I just wouldn't mind being able to lift my arms up without pain, bend my head forward without getting a shock in my hands and go for a day without feeling like I'm wearing gloves all the time.

Can anyone give me a clue as to the MRI results?? The neuro acted very quickly to get me into the NS and I find that quite disconcerting.

Regards,
Stacy

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-CS]

The consultation with the neurosurgeon is good. You can sit down with the surgeon and discuss the MRI results. Unfortunately, seeing the films is very important when commenting upon the significance of the disease. However, the symptoms you have described could be consistent with spine disease or MS. If the reading is correct and you have cord compression this typically indicates a need for surgical repair. Good luck

[jan]

This is too weird.  On the MS forum I go to we have an identical topic going on!
Anyway,  a couple of us have c-spine problems and diag of MS, too.  I have had 3 epidurals and am on oxycontin.  The thing is, how am I supposed to know what symptoms are from the disc problems and what are from the MS?  Wonder if it even matters?  But it drives me nuts sometimes.
I do recall when they sent me to the neurosurg a couple of yrs. ago, he said I didn't need surgery.  He was more concerned about my rt. side parathesia and the lesion on my brain.  Sooo, I guess it is the MS?  *head spinning* LOL  (Maybe my c-spine is worse now.???)

Good luck.

[t_anunson]

Hi, I have been having some neurological problems after having my baby a year ago. Tingling, numbness, twitching all over, things like that. I have seen 2 neurologists, but no answers. My MRI`s that were taken of the brain after this 1st started were normal. MS has crossed my mind, but doctors keep saying they doubt MS. So I was just curious, how were you 1st diagnosed w/ the disease? What were your 1st inital symptoms? Thanks....

[tedmama]

I have been wondering about postpartum neurological happenings lately.  I'm 38 and my son is 11 months old.  Had a c-section and have felt very chipper.  No immediate complaints.  The baby nurses to the extent that I still have not resumed menstruation, so my body is low in estrogen right now.

6 months after I had the baby, I noticed tingling in my lower lip--but only when I touched it; otherwise the lip feels normal.  It wasn't correlated with any recent dental anesthesia.  A maxillofacial surgeon took a Panorex shot of my jaw and said he couldn't figure it out, really, except to say that everything looked good.  The tingling is bilateral and follows the mental nerve pathway.  It hasn't changed since its onset.

10 months after I had the baby, I noticed a kind of clumsy left hand.  Just clumsy enough to make me notice when I knit, especially the 3rd and 4th fingers, a bit of forearm fatigue and a feeling of triceps and scapular weakness.  I have also felt a strange itching just inside the left scapula for several months.  I carry the baby all the time with the left arm and wonder if this might not be from shoulder stress.  I also fall asleep while nursing the baby with my neck cranked into painful positions.

Next, I felt a slight tingling of the cheekbone, lower eyelid and wing of my nose on the right side.  It went away for a week and now has returned and bothered me for about a week and a half.  Sometimes it feels as if lotion were smeared on my face, and sometimes as if the skin were slightly sunburned.  The sensation changes constantly, but keeps within the V2 branch of the nerve, and rarely remits.

I'm hoping that this is just nursing hormones and stress.  My husband is having cardiac trouble right now, and that is when the hand and trigeminal problems showed up.  I worry most about serious CNS problems, and plan on seeing my regular doctor later this month.  

Incidentally, my mother, with three in diapers, began to choke when she tried to eat.  It went on for weeks and she thought she was dying, but liquid phenobarbital from her M.D. cleared it up.  This was back in the 1950s.

Beth

[tedmama]

My apologies for posting accidentally to this thread.  Meant it for the "Symptoms Still Lingering" Thread.

Beth