Cervical spine questions

[CtResident]

I am so pleased with how things are going with my impending trip to Yale to the MS clinic, that I don't want to set aside this happy feeling.

But.

fI was telling my mother the latest. She thinks the fact that I couldn't feel my legs last week is due to the disc bulges at the C3-4 area I have JUST LIKE HER!

She says it's probably osteoarthritis. She will show me the stretches she does.

I love my Mom and would never say unkind things about her. I told her stretches are good, we all need to exercise, yes, I am taking allllllllll those vitamins she gave me, the dr. said it's okay, etc. etc.

But this sounds like she just doesn't get it. I know some people do, some people won't, that's life, blah blah blah.

It just kind of......well........it hurts. Like she doesn't believe me. Well, at least she's offering help right? :-)

Okay, so do bulging discs cause symptoms similar to MS? Hasn't this been asked before? I never paid attention to that particular info, because it didn't seem to apply to me. Today my left leg was twitching, and I don't think osteoarthritis will do that. Or the paresthesias in the legs and feet. There is no nerve inpingement (is that the word?)

Suzanne

[1cross+3nails=4given]

Thanks for the advice. I did post my conserns in the main MS forum. Good luck with the specialist. I hope you get the answers you are looking for.
Jen :o)

[LLWB]

C3-4 disc bulg would generally cause symptoms in arms, hands, and fingers. Not the legs. Mom's, or daughters, don't want to think we have something that can't be cured by surgery or medicine. I hope you have a good appt at Yale and get some answers. Good luck, Maggie

[cz1970]

I think your post should be put on the main forum because you ask good questions.  This is tied to anothers thread so.... It might now get the attention you deserve.  To answer your question, I would seek out an answer and yes do the LP.  I've had 2 normal MRI's and a normal LP but 2 out of 3 neuro's still think my symptoms are MS. Unfortunatly those neuro's cant treat me.  Now I'm on my way to getting an appt with a MS specialist to have a good look at me.  As I understand it, MS left untreated can be crippling/debilitating and it's all preventable.  So, dont risk it, get treated. Good luck!

cz

[1cross+3nails=4given]

I had an MRI last May when I was 29. There were no lesions so I was sent way. Well I was in so much pain I went to ortho in Nov. age 30. He said I have what looks like it could be a possible birthdefect in my lower spine. His words. Then a customer of mine with MS said that it sounds like I have MS plaque on my cervical spine & the Neuro should have done an LP due to all my symptoms even though the MRI was normal because of my age.
I just don't know how hard I should push. Any suggestions? Thanks a bunch! Have a wonderful weekend!
Jen

[CtResident]

Well, when I update my timeline, I'll put this question at the top of things to rule out.

Thanks for the feedback! :-)

Suzanne

[tanky]

I actually just returned from the MS Clinic at Cleveland Clinic and my MS specialist was awesome!!!  I hope you have the same experience at Yale.  But to answer your question, she indicated that I had a bulging disk and that it was likely causing some of what I thought were MS symptoms, including a pain in my arm.  She said many people with MS have bulging disks but they don't know why.  Best wishes, Niki

[cz1970]

Hi, I was told that a disk bulge (if touching the cord) can cause the same symptoms that MS does.  I was told this my a neurologist cuz I have one too and am in limbo land regarding MS.  The symptoms depends on where the disk bulge is though.  It can cause all the same symptoms MS does except the temperature sensitivity or ON. but the rest, parasthesia, spasticity, fasculations etc... YES.
Hope you get good GREAT treatment at Yale!

cz

[Wobbly]

My mom is the same, she lives a few hours away from me and sends me articles in the mail that she cuts out of magazines....states I should walk more..and it will all be better...she is only my mom and I know if something is wrong with my daughters I would want something simple to be the answer...so don't take it too seriously when your Mom says things like that...they all do...including myself to my daughter...lol... just take care of yourself..you know your own body and will get some help...right...

andie

[spastic]

  Hi Suzanne.  Glad to hear your going to Yale, sometimes that is the best place to go to the teaching hospitals.  Our mothers are worry warts and rightfully so, they just don't want to see us how we really are. Your mom sounds so much like mine, mine methodically goes through the medical book and calls me twenty times a day saying "Oh, it just could simply be this...."  Sometimes I feel she over does it, I wish it could be something simple but its not.

Take Care,

Ada