can this cause this?

[pain in the neck]

this might seem complex but i want to know..

i am 5ft/106pds and have fms, thoracic outlet syndrome and tmj. i had been backpacking with a 20k pack and then did some scuba courses and did 12 dives over a weeks time and the tank was too heavy for me. i also was biting the mouth piece till it almost broke. i experienced what they thought was dcs but treatment didnt help. after mris were done they said i had mild patchy hypersignal t2 non enhancing areas involving the spinal cord at c3-4,c4-5,c5-6 and c6-7. mild enhancement of bilateral ventral and dorsal c5,c6,c7 nerve roots. mild enhancement of bilateral labyrinth apparati, bilateral cn7th/8th and bilateral v2 division of trigemenal nerve.

the neuro said, immune mediated cervical myeloradiculitis and vestibular/cranial neuritis because my ana was 1.320 speckled. and she didnt know i had tos. i didnt mention it to her because of insurance/pre existing yadda yadda. but could tos cause this?

i was trying to do p.t. a few weeks ago for the myeloradicultis but i think it set the tos off. my whole spine is tender. my neck got inflamed and in certain positions or when i sit back it sends this pressure sensation up my neck over my head. i get super vertigo, chest pains and all the muscles feel sore. and my fingers feel like i have arthritis now.

i just wanted to know if you have bad tos and did some stupid things like wear heavy objects right on trps could this happen. my esr has never been above 20 and my ana is now 160. all ana and rh follow ups are negative. i know i was a dumb bunny. thanks.

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

Although it's impossible to comment on an MRI that I have not personally reviewed, it's a bit concerning that you had so much enhancement on your MRI throughout the spinal cord, nerve roots and cranial nerves. This has nothing to do with TOS and should be thoroughly evaluated so that proper treatment can be administered. A spinal tap is a consideration as well as other blood tests. There are also reports in the literature that describe enhancement on the MRI of the cord in decompression syndrome affecting this area. So although TOS can potentially aggravated by heavy lifting, it is unlikely that this is the main problem now with the results of your MRI. COnsider getting a second opinion by a neurologist at a major academic center. GOod luck.

[pain in the neck]

after i was treated for dcs and was cleared to fly i developed what they called a vasculitis in my hands. i got a shot of prednisone, the local doctor said it was an allergic reaction and the dermatologist simply called it vasculitis. didnt know if it came from my hands touching hot water after the 02 treatment. my cbc is normal, rbc and wbc normal. just that ana. ok that's all. thanks.

[rthornton]

Have you had a full autoimmune work up (series of blood tests) done by a rheumatologist?  May people have positive ANA with no autoimmune disease, but it does suggest you may be having some autoimmune problems given that you are having symptoms (some autoimmune diseases come with vasculitis, as well.)  I would suggest seeing a rheumatologist for full work up...they are the experts (as much as there are "experts") of autoimmune related disease and should be able to help you sort this out.

Good luck, Rebecca (I have autoimmune hepatitis, so I know a bit about "things autoimmune")

[pain in the neck]

thanks rebecca. all the follow up tests for ana are negative. no athritis no scleroderma. or at least nothing has manifested. so as of yesterday they are saying undifferentiated collagen vascular disease and said they would treat it with motrin. these doctors dont know about the tos and i will discuss it with them when i meet with them in two weeks. the only symptoms i have are arthritis or pain in my middle finger of my right hand and the vascular thing that happened in my hands. i went to a chiropractor and she said after looking at chest exrays that i have enlarged t1 ribs and ridiculously tight scalenes. my whole back was out of wack and my psoas were locked most likely from a heavy backpack pressing right into them. i just wonder about the mra readings if they could be part of this. thanks again though will be seeing rheumies soon. take care. jody