reflex test

[mkh9]

I went to a physiatrist to try to diagnose my back pain. I was injured by my dog. My MRI and bone scan were normal, Xray of hip mild osteoarthritis. I have pain in one spot in my left upper buttock but it hurts. But the physiatrist said she had no clue what my back pain diagnosis is. She did do a reflex test on my feet and knees. On my ankles there were two bounces or ticks instead of one and she thought this may be abnormal. I read that it can be normal and that it is abnormal if you have more than 2  or unstopable bounces. I have had leg pain in the back of my left leg (hamstring) due to the back problem and I favor that leg so thought or think it is slightly weaker. So I told  her that. I also have been getting an aura in both eyes instead of one without my usual migraines. But I also read that as you age your migraines can change and you can get an aura without headaches. But I also see fliers or little bright lights that zigzag in my vision or fly off. Yes I am going to a neurologist and an opthamologist. But the physiatrist wanted to rule out MS. Do these symptoms sound like it could be that? I have no other symptoms indicated by the list that you usually get for MS.
thanks,
mkh9

[mkh9]

Hi, twichychick,
No I don't take Topomax. I use Imitrex when I need it. I know that has a slew of side effects too. I was on Neurontin for 8 months and was hoping I didn't one of the rare eye side effects which included eye damage.
thanks,
mkh9

[twitchychick]

You don't happen to take Topomax for migraine prevention do you? I read several articles the other day about a pretty severe side effect that can occur in the eyes. It's a small number of people who react this way to the Topomax. Just something to rule out.

[mkh9]

No  the eye "UFO's"are a single bright little light, no flare that looks like a shooting star that either zigzags or shoots across the visual field. I get one about twice a day. I read that it may be normal and a floater. I hope so. As for the hyperreflexia, I assume you mean clonic? I looked that up and you have to have 5 or more bumps or ticks to have that and I have two which according to a neurology book and sites is normal. I'm going to neurologist anyway in two weeks but it is all scary. I have a negative MRI and bone scan and Xrays for my spine. It all looks really good. They think SI joint or myofascial for the pain. But I was just wondering about the other symptoms. At first I thought it was a side effect from the Neurontin. I have been off of that now for about a month . So unless it caused retinal damage I don't think it is Neurontin. I really hope I don't have MS or anything serious.I haven't done anything to damage the optic nerve (no blows to the head or anything). I hope it isn't that. I keep hoping the pain will go away with exercise because it did the first time I got injured. It took about 7 months and finally after PT and walking and a cortisone injection it went away. Since it is in the same place I hope I will be lucky. Please think positive thoughts!
mkh9

[jensequitur]

Do the eye UFOs look like fireflies, or like a match flaring in the darkness?

Sometimes when there's damage to the optic nerve, a flaring white or black point will appear in your vision.  I have a spot in my right eye that shows up, especially when I'm symptomatic.  

Your reflexes sound like hyperreflexia, which can occur with spinal damage.  

At this point, your symptoms don't definitely point to MS, but you should go through the testing to rule it out, just in case.

[mkh9]

I went on Wikipedia and they said Clonus was abnormal only if you have 5 reps or more. I only have two and a neurological book said that 1 or 2 can be normal. I hope I don't have anything weird. Very scary. I certainly hope I don't have MS. Also, they are not floaters ( I have those too) and I had a retinal scan back when I first found the floaters and it was very normal. But these are a bright light that zigzags or darts across my vision. It maybe because I'm stressed and my migraines are changing. Well, I guess I have to wait for the docs to get to the bottom of it all.
thanks,
mkh9
mkh9

[mkh9]

what is clonus?
thanks,
mkh9

[COBOB]

Floaters in the visual field are pretty normal and typically move opposite the movement of your head.   There is a good wikipedia entry on them.  The extra bounce in the leg reflexes sound like clonus.   That is abnormal.  The Left sided pain in your butt and left hamstring may be related and have nothing to do with your back.  Since you are going to see a neurologist, they will evaluate your reflexes and decide if you should have an MRI of the brain and spine.
The limited symptoms you have could be MS, but they could also be a bunch of other things.

Bob