MS vs. Cervical Spondylitis?--Help Please

[kdlalib]

I've been undergoing the MS diagnostic process for about 3 years. I used to take a drug for psoriatic arthritis that can induce MS or MS-like symptoms in rare cases. I had tingling and numbness on the left side of my face, extending down through my left arm. I also had burning sensations in  my fingertips, and buzzing in my fingertips, along with recurrent uveitis. I was MRIed twice. The first time I had 1 lesion, and the second (one month later) there were 3 more lesions. I was taken off the drug and I didn't have any symptoms. My MRIs remained clear for two years.

Now I have the same tingling and numbness mostly on my left, but on my right as well. With the tingling I also get goosebumps, but only unilaterally, on the arm experiencing the symptoms. I also have burning fingertip sensation and during my neuro exam, they found I was positive for L'Hermittes sign. and was experiencing decreased sensation on my left side. My left arm was also noticeably weaker and I They're going to MRI me next week and see if I have any new lesions.

However, I have psoriatic arthritis and was wondering if Cervical Spondylitis could be causing this, and not MS. Is it possible with my specific symptoms? I don't have any pain in my neck, but I do have pretty severe psoriatic arthritis and have had neck pain in the past.

[kdlalib]

Lulu--I used to take humira, which is a TNF inhibitor like Enbrel. One of the rare side effects of both humira and enbrel is the development of MS or MS-like symptoms. I didn't pay enough attention to the warning because it seemed so remote and happened so rarely. However, it happened to me. If what I have is MS, the doctor isn't sure whether the humira caused it, or if I would've gotten MS anyway, but the humira hurried the process along.

Regardless, I can't take TNF inhibitors anymore, which as your mother knows, are like miracle drugs for psoriatic arthritis.

[Lulu54]

I'm sorry but I know nothing about cervical spondylitis.  My mother has psioratic arthritis and is on Enbrel.  What a tricky disease to treat - she got tired of the shots and decided to stop them (plus they are expensive!) but after just a few days she changed her mind because the PA got worse very fast.  

that increase in lesions would concern me but I'm not the doctor.  I hope your next MRI gives them some answers to help.

see you around,
Lulu

[kdlalib]

BTW, I'm almost 31 years old. If that helps.