Army DOCS Stumped, Please Help Me!!

[mp2b704]

Ok where to start. I am a 21 y/o Male, never any health problems until about 3 years ago. I am in the Army and about three years ago I was having numbness in my fingers. I went to the doc and he said drink water for better circulation. HA! Obviously that did not work, I would go back and go back and noone would help me. This went on for about two years, all the while my symptoms getting worse, weak hand, shaking hand. Everything I have is on the left side only. I will skip all the other nonsense with past Army docs and go to what I feel today. My left arm/hand is weak. They FINALLY did and MRI and say I have hirayama disease. Also, my lower back hurts and my left leg randomly goes to sleep, walking, sitting, doesn't matter just does. Feels like it may be getting weak. I have extreme chest/ shoulder pain that comes and goes, I have had a full cardio exam and they say nothing cardio. The pain in like in my tricep and chest muscles and like in the middle of my shoulder, it feels like it is just cramping up kind of. Also my shoulder makes a popping and cracking noise. Doc says snapping scapula. I don't know if it helps but I have IBS and GERD. They said there is no cure for anything they thihnk I have. Oh and also I get this numbness tingling in my face/head comes and goes. I really feel like it is just hopeless and I am going to die sometimes. Sorry if my explanation of symptoms is all over the place, if anyone needs clarification or further details feel free to contact me on here but preferably email me at ***@****. I have the Cspine mris on disc but thats all I could get. PLEASE HELP ME!! Thanks.

Thomas

[DrNoopurMD]

Hi,

Hirayama disease is also known as juvenile muscular dystrophy of distal upper limb. It is characterized by hand or forearm muscle atrophy and asymmetric thinning of cervical spinal cord.
Other differential diagnosis like a restricted form of motor neuron disease,  multifocal motor neuropathy and chronic one sided radiculopathy have to be ruled out.
I would suggest you to please schedule an appointment with an experienced neurologist and undergo a complete neurological exam. Do keep us posted!

[greenne]

Although I can't help with a diagnosis...I can give you a suggestion with the broken military medical system. You really have to PUSH your PCM to make a refferal to a neurologist or other specialist you need.  Be proactive and don't rely on the DOCs to do it on their own. Pester them until they DO SOMETHING for you. I know it takes more energy than it should.

I have been fighting the military medical system for 3 months now following an injury in Iraq. I wasn't seriously injured, but have been having ongoing problems with my ears and head since I was injured in a rocket attack. (http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/568412)

If you don't follow up, you'll fall thru the cracks and won't get the care you need or deserve. Also, get a photocopy of your medical records and keep them in a safe place...update them from time to time. Make sure everything is documented....make sure you prepare in case the Army tries to dump you because of your medical issues.

I don't mean to scare you, but you don't want to find out the hard way later on if this turns out to be serious. I really hope it isn't serious at all.

One final thing...check with TRICARE...they have a 1-800 #........you have the right to get a second opinion at another facility or civilian. If you have any doubts whatsoever....get that second opinion! It's free, although you can't put a price on your health.

Keep us posted on how it goes. I know how frustrating it can be.

Nate

[mp2b704]

Thank you for your response, I am hoping that it is just Hirayama and nothing worse, I am not able to see any better doctors until I get out of the Army. But I will keep trying. Thank you.

[mp2b704]

I saw a Korean specialist and he says hirayama is very very rare and he does not think that I have it. He will do a brain MRI and see what we can see from there. I sure hope this isn't anything serious. Wish me luck!

[happyname]

Have you spoken with your insurance to see if you can get to a better doctor while in the Army?  I ask because I noticed that you had mentioned it in your last post.  I work for a large physicians group and we see active duty people all of the time.  

I also have almost identical symptoms and am happy to discuss what my physician has found and done as far as treatment.  If you are interested in either send me a message.

[paula9002]

   I would just like to add a few ideas to the response from Nate.  You might take your preliminary diagnosis and work through your chain of command.  You should be able to get a copy of your record to attach to any letter you would send.  They can look it up or contact a doctor to see what it is.  You did not mention your family but if your mom is so inclined, she can make calls on your behalf and get action when you may think you can get nowhere.  I have seen it happen.  You could also contact the chaplain as he has pull also.  You will be amazed how quickly you will get action if someone up the chain can call the hospital CO for you.  The bottom line, make this a project and leave no stone unturned.  If you run out of ideas, I am sure as a former COs wife that has interceded many times, I can come up with some other suggestions.
   If this is indeed a muscular dystrophy, I would also suggest that you contact your local MDA clinic or just do a search and they should be able to send you to a phone number for your area.  They generally hold a clinic on a regular schedule and I have always been able to see a neurologist there.  The clinic is open to anyone who has any of the neuromuscular type disease and no payment is necessary if your insurance does not cover it.  At the very least, they may be able to refer or direct you to doctors who can help.  And they can offer services to you even outside of the Army.  Please don't wait until you are out of the Army if at all possible.  If it is one of the other diseases that the doctor said needed to be ruled out, there may be some treatments available.  The further you let your body deteriorate, the further it would have to come back when you start getting treatment.
   I could be wrong about how it works now (we have been away from the military for 5 years now), but I do believe that you have to be sent to a civilian doctor by the hospital showing a "nonavailibility" at your duty station.  This system is meant to fill in where there is not a qualified doctor on post.  
   Take care of yourself and God Bless.  Please post now and then so that we know how you are.

[cat1203]

Have you been checked for mysthenia gravis it gives the symptoms you have,  I have it and it shows up sometimes on and mri or they inject a med intervenouly into your arm then follow up with a nerve conductive test.

Ask about that it is a form of MD and it can be a sneaky little critter but you as I said have the symptoms.  Are you loosing strength in your limbs too?

[mp2b704]

Thanks everyone for your input, I will find out the results of my brain MRI tomorrow and then they will do an EMG from my neck down to my hand and try to figure this out. I am now going to one of the best hospitals in Korea thanks to much complaining, but hey I gotta do what I gotta do. I really hope they can figurre this out and get me better! Thanks again everyone I will keep you all posted on the results.

[mp2b704]

So I went to the doc today, my brain MRI showed nothing abnormal. They said the are pretty sure it is something in the C-Spine so I will go for an EMG in a few weeks and try to finid what is going on. I sure hope they can fix this!!

[paula9002]

Hi, Thomas, no news is good news although I am sure it leaves you wishing that they would find something, anything so that they could do something to help you. Anyway, glad that they got you to a good hospital. And don't forget, you do gotta do what you gotta do. I have had EMGs before and they are not bad...not something I would want to do for a hobby but hopefully will lead you to treatment. Take care and God bless.