Foot "Stuck" To Floor?

[emay68]

I've been evaluated by a neurologist for MS.  He said he didn't have enough experience to diagnose or completely rule out MS.  MRI showed a small number of lesions in subcortical right frontal lobe and in subcortical left parietal lobe which seemed to be active at the time of the test.  I had a whole bunch of things going on some of which would fall under Parasthesias.  I also had swallowing problems, choking, aspiration and speech difficulties.  I had the MS Hug which made it more difficult to breathe even after I had taken my asthma meds.  I had muscle spasms in many areas.  I was walking into door frames, walls and furniture as well as swinging my hands and wrists into various things.  Had blurry eyes, especially the left, and sharp stabbing pain behind the left eye, as well.  The fatigue was overwhelming.  Had severe problems with "brain fog" especially memory problems.  That "exacerbation" eventually settled down for about the last 4 months, but I am now experiencing some of the same things a little at a time.

What I would like information on at the moment is if any of you have had the experience of moving to turn your body in a different direction, but having the foot on the pivoting leg stay "stuck" to the ground.  This has happened three times in the last 2 months.  I believe the first incidence gave me a torn meniscus in my right knee.  My whole body, including my right leg turned, but the right foot stayed put until I noticed it hadn't moved.  Pain in my knee helped my realize the foot was stuck.  Is this something that happens with MS?  I have not experienced this before that first of three episodes that hurt my knee.

Thank you for reading and I appreciate any comments.  I have to go to sleep now so if someone responds it might be a little while before I read and respond.

Molly

[supermum_ms]

Hmmmm it definitely could be read that way yes, I think the report was basically saying, that in general the lesions are not very specific, which could be regarding the location, size and shape wasn't helping to specify......BUT because the parietal subcortical lesion(s) did enhance, that did identify them as demyelinating lesions, and the demyelination process was indeed active when the MRI was done.

I forgot to mention before that I think you might need a full spinal MRI too, some of your sx's 'could be' related to your spine, in regard to MS that would usually be spinal cord lesions are causing the Hug, bladder retention and your weirdly independent foot.

Do you know if you had any abnormal clinical findings, they're discovered during your neurological work up eg Hoffmann, Lhermitte, Babinski, hyper-reflex, clonus etc?

If you can work out your insurance issues, it would probably be a very good idea to get that assessment from an MS specialising neurologist and further testing.


Cheers......JJ  

  

[emay68]

*"...my knee wasn't injured, yet."  Sorry.

[emay68]

First of all, thank you for replying.  My neurologist was offered a job out of the country so he is no longer here.  He actually wanted me to see an MS specialist, as well.  I let it go because the attack was seriously slowing down and symptoms were disappearing.  I hope I can get my insurance to pay for a visit to this one specialty clinic.

I will copy/paste the info from my MRI report so I get it correct:

"Few scattered small nonenhancing foci abnormal T2 signal right
frontal subcortical white matter. Small left parietal subcortical abnormal
T2 signal with enhancement seen best on axial image 16 series 19 and 4.
Though nonspecific, findings compatible with a demyelinating process."

So, since the parietal lesion was seen with enhancement I thought that meant it was in an active demyelinatition process.  Is that incorrect?

I agree about the eye issues, but I don't have the insurance or the money to see an ophthalmologist, unfortunately.  All I can do is include it in the description of possible symptoms I've experienced.

It was like my foot wasn't getting the message that the rest of me was turning to walk in another direction.  Everything else moved the way it should in order to walk in another direction except for my foot.  It's happened on two other occasions since then and I'm still baffled.  I've been trying really hard to make sure I am aware of my right foot when I turn and consciously lift and move it.  The first time it happened my knee was injured, yet.

I've been on the same psychotropic medications for a long time.  I was just curious how much they would build up due to urinary retention which I am actually experiencing again.  I guess I was just kind of thinking (writing) out loud on that one.

Molly

[supermum_ms]

Hi and welcome,

Hmmmmmmm If your neuro is actually admitting to not having enough experience to identify if it's MS or not, the first thing i'd be doing is actually finding a neuro that actually does!

In MS the location of the lesions, size, shape, if one or more lesion enhanced with contrast etc is all important diagnostic information. Subcortical is a very common location for many conditions, so subcortical lesions on their own isn't very suggestive of MS.

By "active" are saying your MRI report and or your neurologist reported that your brain MRI showed 'active lesions' ie lesions lit up like a christmas tree lights with contrast? IF any of the lesions lit up with contrast, that would mean your MRI showed the blood-brain barrier has been breached, and that limits the possible causation and would put MS higher on your list.  

Your visual issues in relation to MS, could indicate Optic Neuritis (ON) but "blurry eyes, especially the left, and sharp stabbing pain behind the left eye" could be many other things too, so if you haven't as yet had the health of your eyes assessed, that would definitely be worth getting organised. An optomitrists can test for general issues, some even do OCT tests now and if you need further testing, you'll need a referral to an ophthalmologist or neuro-ophthalmologist.

Your foot issues are confusing to me, in relation to MS foot drop is common but you only seem to be saying you occasionally experience this situation when turning in another direction and not generally whilst walking "My whole body, including my right leg turned, but the right foot stayed put...." and that doesn't sound right for foot drop. To be honest i can't work out how it could possibly be related to MS if there's only an issue when you turn-pivot, are you re-distribute your weight onto your other leg whilst turning?

Sorry, maybe i'm not understanding it right but is it actually possible that's it's a knee issue and not the foot eg your knee is popping out of it's socket and that's why the foot stays stuck to the floor?

I honestly don't have anything on toxic build up of meds, i do know that many of the mental health medications are central nervous system delivered and can cause similar sx's of MS, so it's worth looking up the medications your taking singularly and if they interact. see drugs.com

Cheers.........JJ

  

[emay68]

Ouch!  Fifteen pieces??  Did those breaks happen because your foot wouldn't move?  I am having problems emptying my bladder, too, which happened before.  Wasn't even thinking about the toxic buildup of meds.  I have Bipolar II so I take strong meds for that.

JoAnn, thank you for responding when you are so sick.  I have constant pain and horrible fatigue, so sometimes I just hide away.  I've been carrying a cane because I'm afraid my foot will "stick" again and I will hurt my knee even more.

Blessings to you and to Karry.

Molly

[314pi]

Molly,  I have had at one time or another, all the symptoms that you have mentioned.  I broke my foot into 15 pieces  and 2 years later I broke my ankle, both the tibia and the fibula.  I was also in the hospital for a week because I was not emptying my bladder, my meds became toxic and the second I tried to stand up, I would start stepping backwards and would fall. I walk with a cane which helps to remind that I can have balance problems and if I'M not careful I'll end up on my butt.  I'm too tired to write any more but please contact me because I've lived with this disorder for 20 years.Good Luck to you.
JoAnn

[emay68]

Hi Karry,

Thank you very much for responding.  You are definitely having a rougher time than I am.  I'm very sorry for what you are going through, but glad it has improved somewhat.

All I was doing was trying to turn and go in the opposite direction and everything except my right foot cooperated.  It stayed facing in the direction that I HAD been standing.  I might have just attributed it to my "klutzy" nature, but it happened two more times in a very short period AND, apparently, tore or worsened a tear of the medial meniscus on my right leg.  I searched the internet, but couldn't find this exact situation associated with MS.  I know there are so many different ways it can manifest so maybe no one has posted about it.

I've been waiting to see how things go and if I felt I was having a relapse I'd ask my primary care doc for a referral to a clinic here that has a couple of MS specialists.  If my insurance will pay, of course.  lol  I have been writing down things that are either reminiscent of what I experienced a few months ago or things that seem new, but not normal behavior.

Thank you, once again, Karry.

Molly

[karryon55]

Hi there & welcome,

I do have some problems with moving my leg particularly if I turn in a certain direction. I almost always turn the same way to avoid the time consuming effort of going through the whole process.

I recently had a flare up where my leg wouldn't move on its own at times & someone would push it along or I couldn't walk so the wheelchair became my best buddy. I was told that the communications between my brain & leg were being disrupted especially if I was too warm or fatigued. In between my leg would just drag along but now it's improving however I have some increased weakness on an already weak limb.

I don't think this was quite what you are explaining but I hope it helps you with your question. I would recommend that you see a Neuro who specialises in MS & start a good symptom diary with the duration of new symptoms etc.

Take Care,

Karry.