SCARED!

[meepers]

Hi everyone,

I had an MRI done on the brain with and without contrast and found 2 lesions on C1. I have twitching in my right arm and noticed my fine motor skills are not that great on the right side. My right leg sometimes drag and Im off balance. It started with pins and needles in my right leg and heel drag, the next day my right arm pin/needle and uncontrolled movement that is why the MRI was ordered. A Cervical MRI was ordered and a lumbar, no lesions only a 2 bulging discs (from a car accident) by C4-5 and 6. Of course it's leaning toward MS. I am extremely tired and my mind is shot! I noticed pre MRI of the brain that when Im sleeping I will wake up coughing because my saliva will go down my throat, like I have trouble swallowing my own saliva on occasion, I am very scared!!! Is this due to having 2 lesions on C1???? I will be see a nuerologist on the 24th of this month to go through test for a diagnosis of MS or maybe something else???? I know MS can mimic alot of other diseases too, I'm a nervous wreck which does not help my condition at the moment.

Thanks anyone for reading this

Michele

[sllowe]

Well, doesn't hurt to ask, that is for sure. I asked everyone of my doctors questions about my HNP because I was convinced they were wrong about MS. I was convinced it was the HNP or a stroke or that I smoked way too many cigarettes or that they did not know what they were talking about, or....it was denial.

I know much better now. I'm excited your appt. in soon.

ttys,
Shell

[meepers]

Hi and thank you for the info. I can use anything just about now! The spine doctor said the bulging disc does not have anything to do with my symptoms, I asked. I even said to him that they could be leaning on a nerve or something and he just said no. Who the hell knows at this point! He said he's leaning towards MS. I do have a great nuero and will be seeing one who specializes in MS in November. I chose to see this one sooner, I can't wait till November. So I do have back up, lol

Thanks,
Michele

[Quixotic1]

And howdy from a former Chicagoan.  I spent 9 years practicing medicine on the at Michael Reese.  I even lived on Lake Shore Drive!

Quix

[Quixotic1]

Well, welcome to our little haven of insanity, uncertainty and mischief.  You had the MRIs done for the symptoms of weakness in the right leg, pins and needles in the right arm with some involuntary movements and poor fine motor coordination.  You also have severe fatigue, some difficulties in choking on your own saliva.

Have you have only one episode of symptoms like this?  Did all of these things start at about the same time?

The bulging discs in the cervical spine could cause some of these symptoms only if they press on the cord.  Just bulging would not do it.

Did your fatigue start with the other symptoms?

You are correct about most of theings you said.  Yes, all of these symptoms fit very well in with MS.  But, in order to make the diagnosis the neurologist will need to do a very thorough, head-to-toe neuro exam and should look at the MRI himself.  He may see things the radiologist missed or disagree with the report.  Then if he suspects MS, he will want to send away a bunch of blood tests for diseases that mimic MS.

He will likely want an MRI of your thoracic spinal cord, too.  MS is a disease of the central nervous system which is made up of the brain, brainstem, cervical spine, and thoracic spine (where the spinal cord ends).  The lumbar spine is not a part of the central nervous system.

If all of the info is suggestive of MS, but they aren't enough to make the diagnosis, he may want to do a spinal tap.  That will sometimes provide enough information to start treatment or be much more sure of what it is.  And, of course, like we said, they have to rule out the other diseases that can cause lesions in the cervical spine and also cause your symptoms.

Two lesions in the cervical spine can certainly cause the problems you have mentioned.  That is a place where a lesion is very likely to show up with definite symptoms.  Also, for every lesion that is seen there might well be lesions that are still invisible.

It is important, I so agree with Jules and everyone else, that it is important to get with a neurologist that pays attention to you and is not ready at the drop of a hat to dismiss everything they see or hear as being of no importance.  You know how much all of this is affecting you.

As to whether this may be MS?  It is certainly possible.  It all fits.  To make the diagnosis they would be looking for signs that you have had more than one attack.  The findings on the MRI do not add enough additional information to take the place of another attack, so do not be surprised if they can't make the diagnosis yet (UNLESS you have had a attack previous to this.)

There are some Health Pages (upper right corner) that you might want to read.  These can give you a good explanation of what they are looking for as they diagnose MS.

How MRIs Show Lesions in MS

Lesions vs Symptoms

The History of the Diagnosis of MS

Don't worry about being tired and being weak of mind - we are, too, and would never notice!

Welcome again!

Quix

Diagnosing MS - The McDonald Criteria

[JulesL5S1]

Hi Meepers,

I'm a limbo lander and not a doctor.  Your bulging disks in your neck could be causing some, all or none of your problems.  I too have a bulging disk at C6.  My neurosurgeon is actually the one who thinks I have MS.  So find a good neurologist and neurosurgeon and work with them.  It can be a long process.  The most important part is to find a PCP you trust and a neurologist you trust.  You can read my earlier posts about the quack neuro (now a genius) who dx me with something totally unexpected.  We'll be interested in your progress.
- Jules

[sllowe]

Hi Meepers,

I'm so glad you found us so we can help you a bit, well, we hope to anyway.

Lesions can cause so many problems it's really hard for us to say if the ones in your C-spine specifically are giving you these problems.  But, I can share my experience with you.  When I went to the Dr. and presented all of my problems (stroke like symptoms) my Dr. said that he suspected I had a lesion in my C-spine.  Results showed that he was correct, and since then I do believe that all of my problems are associated with the large lesion in my spinal cord.  So, this could be the case with you, however, it's going to take a true professional to identify this as MS.  

A dx of MS takes a long time. There are so many tests that have to be run, and the Drs have to look into mimics of MS and have to give you a thorough exam.

I think it will be helpful to you if you take a look at our health pages (top right hand corner).  There you will find so much information on MS.  I hope this forum family gives you a sense of comfort until and after Friday.  

I hope you get the best of Neuros.  Please don't expect answers right away.  It will take time.

Stay w/us, and we'll help you though - k?
See you around,
-Shell

[Terrie2008]

Hi Meepers

Easier said than done but try not to worry what will be will be and hopefully when things are sorted you will be able to do some sort of plan to work through this oh clever me i wish I listened to my own advice,lol.

If you have a yoga class near you try and go the relaxation really helps I cant relax but after some visits to the yoga class I started to and now I long for it I find its the only time I can truly have time just for me for that hour and a half I don't think of anything its great.  

Best Wishes Terrie