Out of answers

[Brandon303]

Alright so here is the basis ill try to give a quick run down of my condition.  I have a bilateral numbness in both thighs initially diagnosed with Meralgia Paresthetica.  The thing is my thing is numb on the outside and the top stretching from my inner thigh all the way to the outside of my outer thigh only part not included is the inner thigh.  It stretches from the top of my knee to about the top of my hip as well.  Had am EMG and NCV came up abnormal dont know how to put on here since the neurologist used the term Giant in his readings.  I also have decreased readings in my lower leg.  Point is my back is not involved my back has been ruled out as the source.  Had a ct with contrast of my pelvis that came back clean.  Was diagnosed with Plexopathy though thinking it was more said since it was not known what the cause was since lumbar sacral wasnt put in the diagnosis.  Ive had my blood tested im not anemic for any vitamin, have no known common diseases that could cause this from HIV to diabetes.  My neurologist did write that it was demylenating in nature has anyone had anything simular happen that can help.  I do suffer from migraines with aura as far as a neurology aspect.  Any help would be great is it Neuropathy or somethign else?

[Dr Sharma]

Hi there, I can understand your predicament since you have numbness in both feet refractory to medical treatment. your neurologist could try a local nerve block at the inguinal ligament with lidocaine and corticosteroids to give relief for a few weeks. Pain modifying drugs for neuralgic pain like amitriptilline, carbamazepine or gabapentin. You may require surgery to decompress the nerve.  Your doctor should investigate you for multiple sclerosis since you have multiple neurological symptoms. MS is a chronic demyelinating disorder where the disease phase is characterized by active phase and remissions. It has multiple symptoms and signs and is a diagnosis of exclusion. The symptoms of multiple sclerosis are loss of balance, muscle spasms, numbness in any area, problems with walking and coordination, tremors in one or more arms and legs. Bowel and bladder symptoms include frequency of micturition, urine leakage, eye symptoms like double vision uncontrollable rapid eye movements, facial pain, painful muscle spasms, tingling, burning in arms or legs, depression, dizziness, hearing loss, fatigue etc. The treatment is essentially limited to symptomatic therapy so the course of action would not change much whether MS has been diagnosed or not. Apart from clinical neurological examination, MRI shows MS as paler areas of demyelination, two different episodes of demyelination separated by one month in at least two different brain locations. Spinal tap is done and CSF electrophoresis reveals oligoclonal bands suggestive of immune activity, which is suggestive but not diagnostic of MS. Demyelinating neurons, transmit nerve signals slower than non-demyelinated ones and can be detected with EP tests. These are visual evoked potentials, brain stem auditory evoked response, and somatosensory evoked potential. Slower nerve responses in any one of these is not confirmatory of MS but can be used to complement diagnosis along with a neurological examination, medical history and an MRI in addition, a spinal tap. You also need to be checked for small vessel ischemic disease, cerebral ischemia etc for these MRI lesions. Therefore, it would be prudent to consult your neurologist with these concerns. Hope this helps. Take care.

[bigsissie]

Hey thanks it is a great chart. I will be using it along with my other one.

Sissie

[Brandon303]

I saw the chart that you have posted on your profile thought id give you another if you get a chance google dematome(s) map if you havent seen one yet if will explain a lot to you.  I was a medic in the military for 8 years so everything i can learn in the medical field.  Anyways like I said though if you havent seen that chart before its great great stuff.  Hope you like it!

Brandon

[bigsissie]

I hope you find the cause soon. Speaking of upper back there is a chart on my profile that has the spinal nerves and what they control that may help you or in nothing else it is interesting. Best of luck to you.

Sissie

[Brandon303]

Thanks for your comment, Ive taken b12 for over a year now since I heard that it helped with nerves.  My nerve condition doesnt stem from my back at least according to my EMG NCV.  They dont seem to have any idea as to what is causing it Im trying to get another Neuro consult now.  I want a spinal tap done, since they cant find any other causes.  Ive never had my upper nerves tested would be interested to see what they find if they did.  Thank you for your wishes and im glad to hear they vitamin worked for your nerves, returning best wishes for your back.

Brandon

[bigsissie]

It sounds like neuropathy to me. I have it and there can be many causes. Mine is from low back problems and nerve damage. Complex B-12 helps the nerves "wake up". I don't know if it will help but it is worth a try. I did for about three months and it really helped but had to stop due to pain from herniated disc in my back.  Best wishes.

Sissie

[Brandon303]

I forgot to mention that the pain is burning that flairs up whether i lay down or standing.  Have tried almost all nerve meds I out there.  The numbness is around the clock though theres never a period of time where the feeling returns to normal and the problem has been going on for 2 years now.