Normal Second C-spine MRI

[ArtistLike]

Procedures: Spine cervical MRI WO Cont

Clinical history: Rule out signal abnormality within the cervical spinal cord.

Comparison is made with the prior study of 7/7/2011

Technique: Sagittal fast echo long TR, long and short TE images were acquired through the cervical spine.  And axial T2 gradient echo sequence was also acquired.  No contrast was administered.

The previously described area of possible signal abnormality within the cervical spinal cord is not seen on these additional series.  No areas of signal abnormality are seen within the cervical spinal cord.

Impression: No lesions are seen within the cervical spinal cord.

Soooo...guess it's all in my head.  I'll stop eating gluten like my shrink wants me to try and see if that makes everything better.  

[jujuminx]

Oh, so many lyme symtoms mimic MS and it really can cause problems for decades after infection.  It is one of the main diseases they should test for and rule out when there are neurological problems.

The change in diet is good. If it helps, great, if not, that's another thing you can rule out as a possible cause AND it's showing your blasted dr's that you are trying to do everything in your power to help yourself. Doesn't sound like a mentally warped person to me David.

Better days are coming...you are getting closer, don't give up.

Julie

[ArtistLike]

I haven't done anything with Lyme yet, Julie.  I have yet to see a new neurologist, but I'll ask him about it when I get an appointment.  My mom told me "you had Lyme disease when you were in your late teens," just kind of casually.  I asked what happened, if I was treated, etc., and she couldn't remember.  She says a doctor made the diagnosis.  She told me this last year right before I went to a neurologist and he asked if I've had Lyme and I told him that, according to my mother, yes, ten or twelve years ago.  He laughed and said, "if you did have it that long ago, it would have caused problems a lot sooner than this."  I haven't been tested for it.

Now my feet are cramping up on and off, totally randomly.  That's new.  Maybe I'll try an exorcism. :)

[Lulu54]

that was supposed to be ulabeled and not some jibberish word!  

I forgot about the LYME - be sure to get that rechecked if it hasn't been yet.

Mary is so right - we are still here for you to bounce ideas around with - there is lots of shared experience here that isn't necessarily MS related.  We're able to discuss just about everything and have someone who has person experience  

best,
L

[ArtistLike]

Thank you, Mary.  You're right and kind to be so straightforward.

But, while I did say I like my psychiatrist (even though she said I couldn't have MS because I'm too young (33!?) and it's only found in the brain), she isn't the one who ordered the MRIs.  She thought the MRIs were probably unnecessary; however, she did order the blood panels to check my C, B6, B12, thyroid, testosterone and lipids.  She has told me that, yes, it is definitely possible for anxiety to manifest as actual symptoms--for example, she said she had a patient who had seizures at least once a week for most of her adult life, with no organic explanation, and after about a year of medications and CBT, the seizures went away, along with her disabling panic attacks.

And I believe that can happen.  And I know I'm probably overreacting.  But I have a feeling this is going to drag on for years and years.  I'll try to cut out gluten, and alcohol, and dairy, and whatever I need to if it helps.  But I'm still really depressed, even with all this medication in me, about still having no explanation when it looked like one (not one I really want) was imminent.  

[twopack]

I remember you describing your shrink as the one who has gone out of his way to order blood work and a series of MRI to help you find answers to explain your distressing symptoms.  I doubt he would have offered these services or asked you to invest this degree of time, resources and money if he didn’t believe they could provide real answers to real questions.

In fact, if he thought your symptoms were a product of your imagination or a result of your psyche producing physical sensations with no physiological root, he would know such symptoms exist to protect people from overwhelming threats.  In such cases it is useless (and sometimes even dangerous) to gather test results a patient would be incapable of accepting as proof anyway.  It would be a misuse of his medical license and, more importantly, an unethical disservice to his patient - you.

Please give the shrink credit for looking to a multitude of potential treatments instead of subjecting you to an endless series of mind altering drugs.  He could be trying to hand you the answer you’ve been seeking even though it looks nothing like you expected it would.

The moderator of our talk group at the MS clinic has Celiac disease.  She understands many of our issues perfectly because her symptoms and struggles were very similar to ours before she eliminated gluten from her diet.  That stopped all progression of her disease.

Eating gluten free for the rest of your life would be a huge adjustment but if it turns out to be the thing that helps, you get a new chance at hope and health for your future.  I don’t want to sound uncaring or mean.  I do want you to let yourself celebrate the lack of evidence of any permanent injury to your central nervous system then shake your fists at the diagnostic shell game magician and then move forward to explore different potentials.

It appears you are the only one saying this is all in your head.

We don’t fire people from this community because they don't have visible scars on their brains or spianl cords.  What brings you here keeps you here unless you chose (for yourself) to walk away.  And being here doesn't prohibit you from joining other groups who know more about different kinds of answers.

Whatever unfolds down the line please know you can:
Trust the doc who explores potential solutions even as he helps you resolve the anxiety of living with unanswered questions,
Count on this community to care and offer support and above all
BELIEVE IN YOURSELF always.

Mary

[jujuminx]

Hummmm, well congratulations (you don't want MS!!).  I do understand that this puts you firmly in limbo land where far too many people here are, so I am sorry for that.

Good for you that you are doing something to help yourself.

So, what is the dr planning on doing next?  Anything, or waiting to see if your head and diet fix, fix your physical problems?   Did you follow up on the Lymes possiblities?  Since you had it as a teen, well, you just never know.

I am enjoying your changing profile pic's.  I second's Lulu's "be well" statement.  Keep us updated please.

Julie

[Lulu54]

You have to be disappointed that there isn't a straight answer for you at this point.  Continue working with the suggestions of the doctors, keep a log of symptoms if you need them for future reference, and don't beat up on yourself.  

Whatever the source of your problems, you deserve to feel better.

As for the gluten, I just heard an allergy doctor last week on DR Radio/XM talk about how many people would be cured of their unbalbeled problems if they went gluten and/or sugar free.  

be well, Lulu