Foot spasms and spinal problems

[moeck]

Hi all.  Last night my hand once again went into fist clench mode, severe spasms encompassing shoulder, upper arm, lower arm and hand.  took 10 mg valium and two hours to subside.  Yesterday morning I had my L-spine mri done that the neuro had ordered.
I had been sitting on the couch with both feet up and just as my hand spasam was easing I noticed my right foot swelling.  By the time another half hour had passed it was twice the size of my left foot, the toes were in spasms and my whole foot was curled downward and trying to turn to the outside.  
I called my neurosurgeon's oncall number and the PA got back to me.  She asked some detailed questions and said she would have the sirgeuon on call with her look at my MRI and see what he could tell.
She called back to tell me I had a 4mm slippage of L4 over L5 and the nerve roots were being compressed but it wasn't enough to cause my urinary problems and falling.
Soooo, I'm spending the weekend on a solumedrol dose pack and ice on my back.
I can't wait to find out the cause of the slippage.  From what I've read it can be a degenerative problem with the disk OR a fracture.  The one time I felt my leg go out and actually fell down hard rather than catching myself was July 1.  So I guess next week I'll learn what's what.

[pennst8r]

Thanks for the crackers, lol!  My symptoms started in the fall of '06. They went "away" for a little bit, then returned with a vengeance (-5 points for spelling?). My neuro does not specialize in MS. The most noteable MS spec in Pittsburgh won't even look at me until I have a diagnosis. Current neuro doesn't seem much better than the first. That's why my PCP finally said to go to Cleveland. I don't really care what the answer is; I just want an answer (preferably before I lose my job:)  Both of my sisters have MS, so I am not freaked out about the prospect, and I know it is not easy to diagnose. There's just such a lack of consistency out there, not to mention a lack of compassion. One neuro says one thing; another says something completely different. They can't even agree on the symptoms - no wonder it takes so long. We have ruled out alot of other possibilities, which is good. An "oldie but goodie" (can ya smell the sarcasm?) has returned - starting to lose balance again. This was one of my first symptoms. I was really happy when it decreased almost completely. Had to find a ride to work today; couldn't drive.

I am actually looking forward to going to Cleveland - like I'm off to see the Wizard!!

Anyway, thanks for asking. I'm glad you have your answer - even if it's not what you'd hoped. An answer in itself its a good thing. Once you know what you're dealing with, you can at least deal with it.

Penn

[karzme]

Hope ya had a good birthday. We are all here to listen to each other whine. Who else can do it, as well as those of us going through the same things. We will supply the crackers for you whine. Do you prefer ritz, saltines, or some other type. Anyways, how long have you been waiting for a diagnosis?? Are you seing a neuro who specializes in MS?

I just found out in may on my diagnosis. Took me a month of wondering and stressing, so I know how frustrated you and your husband are. Hang in there we are here for you.. Karina

[pennst8r]

Had been dealing with spasms for quite some time, one spasm at a time. Then they sort of changed to "clusters" of many absolutely horrendous spasms, several days at a clip, then several days of lesser ones. Now even these clusters have changed. For the past 4 days, I have had more than a dozen spasms a day, extremely painful and lengthy. But whereas the clusters had still been one body part at a time, now I might have my foot, ankle, lower leg and abdomen all going at the same time. Every time my feet had spasmed, my toes would go up, down or both, but the foot always pulled down. Today I had 2 very long spasms that involved my toes and foot, as well as my lower left leg.These times, my foot felt like it was being pulled up toward my knee, toes and all. I could not get rid of it and just cried like a big ol' baby!

Still no hint of a diagnosis. My hubby is getting very angry that we're getting no where and things seem to be getting worse. I'm starting to get really worried about keeping my job.

I know I haven't been online much lately. I feel very selfish coming on now looking for help when I've been so scarce lately. I've just been having a really rough go of it - guess I'm having a pity party - wanna come???  I didn't want to whine on all of you, so I kinda stayed away for a few days. That, plus I haven't felt well enough to get up to the computer room. Today's my b-day, though, so darn it, it's gonna be a good one once I ever get to sleep, so I can wake up refreshed...lol!

OK, done with the pity party. Promise I'll be cheerier soon!

Penn

[6-paq]

I wish you the best today and hope you can get some answers!!

I'm sorry that you are leaving work.  I know it was very hard when I quit 8 years ago (non-health reasons).  It is great that you are able to go back.

Take care!  Pat :)

[moeck]

Wish me luck, I'm off to the doc today to see about my lower back and continuing neck pains.  My daughter took me into work yesterday to clean out my office.  It was very hard to say goodbye to my staff (I was the department director).  As soon as everything is cleared up they'd like me to come back at least parttime if I can.

[6-paq]

I know it's hard when you are looking for a diagnosis and have other health issues that are muddying the waters.  I wish you luck at the neurosurgeons appt.  Hopefully, he'll be able to figure out what's going on with your back and if that's causing any of your problems with your feet.

Ughhh... how frustrating with the insurance.  I hope you can get the remaining issues cleared up very soon.

Take care and keep us posted!!  Pat

[moeck]

I have an appointment with my neurosurgeons office tomorrow regarding the lumbar mri and the carpal tunnel.  I have an appointment with the neurologist a week from today about further MS and Lymes testing.  I called the central benefits office myself yesterday to be sure my COBRA goes into effect without a lapse in benefits,
I now have two fproblems left to go this week.  My disability carrier is trying to tell me that my LTD was cancelled when I was terminated from work.  I finally got someone on the phone with a brain who said they can't do that.  My STD and LTD are through the same insurer with seamless transfer.  I had been out on FMLA and collecting STD.  They cannot cancel the LTD just because the docs have me out longer than 12 weeks and my company no longer has to hold my position open.   It would have been different if the STD had been denied but since it wasn't I'm still covered (but still need to know where to send the premiums to)
My other thing this week is finding private carrier insurance for the rest of the family cheaper than what my COBRA payments would be for them.  I can include them for now, then drop them but I can't add them in later.

[karzme]

Thanks for the info keep us posted. Take care and try not to stress to much over it, if that's possible. Karina

[moeck]

yes, I'm still awaiting a diagnosis.  Some of my symptoms can be explained by acute carpal tunnel on the right (which both neuorologist and neurosurgeon agree I have)  some can be explained by the findings on the mri.  But still others cannot be explained including the brain mri results with patches that maybe ms or lymes.  I should have some more answers by mid-week as well as seeing the neuro again on the 14'th. Moeck

[karzme]

I get the swelling in my legs and feet constantly now. My feet are so bad, I can't feel them when I walk. Tremors and numbness are normal in MS. Are you still waiting for a diagnosis? I'm having pains shooting up and down by back. I found out I have arthritis in my back. Karina

[pennst8r]

I hope that your treatment is helping you today. I really sympathize with all the spasmers (is that a word?), as that is my worse complaint at present. I do not swell up though, except for occasionally when my hubby is trying to really stretch out my legs and gets overzealous:). Do you take anything for the spasms? I take baclofen 4x/ day. It helps some, but not nearly enough.

Anyway, I hope you find some answers next week. We'll be pulling for you. Take it really easy this weekend.

Penn