Progressing MS or tumor?

[needanswers54]

Cardiac specialist decided I was just out of shape as I became tachycardia with 192 bpm and 226/126 bp after less than five minutes on treatmill.  I found it rather insulting considering I am normally bradycardic and can walk for miles when I am having a good day.  Told in past by company doctors that I should be proud that I had myself like a master athlete, practically Olympian level.  Now some days my legs are very heavy or uncoordinated/weak.  I was told that spinal MS could have nothing to do with my tachycardia and not referred back to a neuro or for more testing.  Asked me what was the matter?  Was I lazy and not exercising?  I explained my MS diagnosis and the fall and the leg splints, etc.  He says, "Oh, so you have been out of commission. "  Writes it is deconditioning and sends me on my way.  No concern for the bandlike sensations or chest tightness, etc.  Finally talk them into a holter monitor.  It showedl tachycardia with normal rhythim.  I guess it is a good thing that I had kept my heart strong before.  It was in the 190 bpms.  Told to just keep doing what I am doing and exercising more.  Told the spinal cord was not known to cause such or much or any cardiac problems.  Like yeah, right.

Can only get into the bonfired neuro.  He gives me half-dose of antidepressant meds.  Tells me I am doing better which I disagree with.  Finally, he agrees to do EEG for spasms--telling me that he expects it to be normal as I tell him I do, too.  I was certainly hoping so.  Had spasms the whole monitoring except the hyperventilation and strobe part.  Looked like a fish jumping on land.  Tech did not bother to film it.  Called neuro and asked for spinal MRIs.  He agreed.  Hospital initially had head and cervical ordered.  Then, just head.  He tells me it was normal.  Does not mention the visual mild brain atrophy, few lesions, and borderline gland size.  I try for ten weeks to get a cervical scan.  Finally threaten to leave treatment if I do not get one.  So, I get one for the reasons I requested--EXACTLY.
At least two lesions in cervical spine and lower one is enhanced with contrast.  So, devic's assayed.  Negative.

I asked if it could be lupus, infection, tumor, toxic exposure or anything else besides MS.  Told it could be a hundred things.

Last visit rescheduled for later.  Go to see rheumy instead.  Had whole body fit on exam table.  Lots of nodules and pain (fibromyalgia?) lately.  He does blood tests and is unsure what he wants to do after that.  I get to see bonfired neuro next day, now, instead of next month.  It was like taking a broken car to the shop and she did not work!  He saw my memory was better, but my tremors and vision and babinsky were abnormal.  I could only read the E on the eyechard.  I thought the other letters were chemical formulas with one eye and double letters with capital Ts in the middle with the other eye.  Then, I really did a dance on the exam table.  Doc could not get my BP.  Told him I also had another specialist run another MRI at the previous hospital that had done my first observed lesions (per the radiologist).  No enhancement now, but lesion enlarged.  Enlarged by both hospitals measurements.  So, now neuro says it is either atypical MS, Devic's or spinal tumor.

More blood tests after other physician consultation at Mayo.  No infection inflammation, autoimmune disease, etc. etc. etc., now.  Of course, the inflammation per the MRIs is all gone, now.  Noone would do the tests--those same tests--which I had requested from January to June.  Finally got T-spine MRI.  Schmorl's nodes and hemangioma.  All discs but two have bulging and/or arthritis.  However, spinal cord good.  Lumbar spine--a verteba degenerative spot (with a cyst--which I read on the film and was missed).  All disks bulging.  Spine anterolithesis at L4.  I cannot help but wonder if that is causing some of the spasms or instability.

Now, told no steroids, etc. for at least six months until it can be determined if one of the cervical lesions in a tumor or not.  Bonfied neuro also thinks MS, now.  I guess I am getting somewhere.  

Goodbye for now.  They are kicking me off this thing at the library.

Take care!

Torey

[needanswers54]

Thank you and also everyone else who has been helping me on this sight.  I cannot get on it very much anymore and that makes me even more appreciative when you do respond so thoughtfully and well!

My MS neuro and the cardiologists said they did not know of any link.  It seemed to me that anytime the upper cord is affected that the cardiorespiratory system could perhaps be under certain circumstances.

Thank you, again, so very much!

Take care and God bless you!

Torey

[Lulu54]

Torey,
The *$%^ censor took out the address of the womenheart site  so string these lines together to get the whole thing -

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[Lulu54]

Hi Torey,
There is a lot in your post that I want to respond to but want to start with the heart problems, because if it doesn't work the rest of your concerns won't matter.  I can direct you to a great women's heart health board that has lots of experience with tachycardia - those women would be screaming all sorts of advice to you.  that site is ****.***.  They will be happy to talk about the heart problems.

I had an MI in January, cause by vasospasm, and if your docs are telling you not to worry, you need to fire them and get new ones. I did finally find a possible link between cervical lesions and vasospasm caused heart attacks.  if you google
"Prinzmetal Variant Angina Associated with Multiple Sclerosis " you will find more information there. My heart attack remains a big mystery, but may well be connected to my cervical lesion and my cardi.o is considering that as a possibility.

Please, please do not ignore the tachycardia symptoms - something is not right!

I'll leave the MS part of your questions to the other experts here.

My heartfelt best to you, Laura