No Consensus

[mindwhirl]

I had an MRI in 2008-C5-C6 herniation, and possible old hemorrhage in pons.  No hx injury.  I had numbness in my face and dizziness.  Doctors can't agree on if this would cause symptoms.  Another MRI after shows 2 non-enhancing lesions.  Abnormal EMG in R arm.  Doc wants to do surgery on neck right away.  I refuse after 2nd doc says don't!  Symptoms have come and gone a few times, different combos usually lasting a few weeks--L side of face/head/tounge tingling, paresthesia in L arm/hand, L hand spasms, R hand tremor, tripping with L leg, eye discomfort w/ vision issues, urinary hesitancy, speech problems (stuttering and difficulty finding words), and vertigo. Family doc orders MRI in 09 since previous said "raises possibility of primary demylinating disease".  1 unchanged lesion, 2nd can't be found.  I am currently having symptoms again and seeing new doc soon.   MS ruled out by MRI?  Dr's so focused on disc because it's "easy"?  I'm 28 and feel like I'm 58!  Or just plain crazy.Don't want to go thru neck surgery if it could be something else.  Any opinions???? Thanks.

[mindwhirl]

Thank you for your replies.  I had my appt. w/ new neuro today.  I am sched. for a LP next week.  Hope it comes out neg, but at least I would have an answer and a chance for some kind of treatment.  On a bright note, I don't have to worry about spinal surgery as the doc said that is not the cause of my symptoms.

[Phyllis2010]

I have no diagnosis but I was diagnosed with a variety of problems in my lumbar spine: pinched nerve and damaged muscle on EMG; multilevel disc disease (4 herniations), 2 areas of spinal stenosis on MRI and osteoporosis on bone scan. I'm 60 years old. It think your instinct is correct maybe because I'm doing the same thing. I don't want to go through surgery on my lumbar spine only to find out my problems are due to something else. Actually, my neuro feels the same -- he's not recommending surgery -- and prescribed physical therapy for me.

Good luck and I hope you get an answer; I haven't except for the spinal issues above and vitamin d and chromium deficiency. I'm hopeful that I may feel better once I address these issues.  

[Sarahsmom46]

It is interesting that you initially had 2 enhancing lesions and now only one is seen. Did you have all the MRIs at the same location hopefully on the same machine?  It is possible that one of the lesions repaired (remylinated) itself and became to small to be seen on the 2nd MRI.  We would call that a "disappearing" lesion.  Disappearing lesions are more supportive of a demylinating process than say lesions caused by a previous head injury or small vessel iscemia, which is what many radiologist like to attribute smaller brain lesions to.

I am with you in not wanting to jump into surgery on your neck/spine.  Exhaust your efforts in whatever else you can do to avoid it like physical therapy, pain management, etc and by all means keep looking for why you have so many spinal issues for someone so young.  

Also point blank as the neuro to consider and work you up for MS.  MS is still a distinct possiblity from what you have written about your symptoms.  

Stay strong and you will get your answers.  

Julie