Sorry - I just registered to this and posted a reply to you instead of a question. My apologies.
THIS IS A LONG POST/QUESTIONS ... I'm a 42-year-old mom x2 in decent shape and health, but a 3/4 pack-a-day smoker, with extensive family hx of cancer (breast and rare blood I believe), lung (COPD/emphysema), heart and kidney (stones, polycistic/sponge kidney) diseases. In September, 2008, I went to my PMD complaining of ongoing manageable, but increasing, pain in my low back, bi-knees/feet/joints, as well as persistent low grade fever; overall fatigue and blurred vision lasting about 18 months. Standard blood work and x-rays of my low back and knees were done. Prior to the results, the docs first said I had rheumatoid arthritis ... then it was fibromyalgia... then L/S Sprain, Radiculopathy ... then it was something else ... and so on. As of today (06/14/09), I still don't have a defniitive diagnosis. The x-rays and standard blood were essentially (-) other than (+) for recurrence of Epstein-Barr Virus (which I had severely when I was in my early 20's and lasted about 8-9 months). In Sept. '08, my PMD at the time injected my right arm with a cortico-steroid and then a day later, I was followed with a week of oral steroids (Prednisone (dosed 5/5/5/4/3/2/1). The day after the injection, I noticed my legs weren't working properly. Throughout the entire time I was on the steroids, I had minimal to no use of motor function in my legs. I couldn't will them to stride; and despite every effort. I could only "shuffle my feet" about 1"-2" at a time. While this was happening, I had minimal to no pain, but had other syptoms inc. right leg vibratatory sensations calf to foot. This lasted in excess of 3 weeks and I didn't regain full use of my legs for nearly 2-3 months after that. In the interim, I saw a rheumatologist, who r/o rheumatoid arthritis; an ortho, who r/o disc pathology; and a neuro, specializing in MS. Between the ortho and neuro, I had MRIs of my brain, C/S, T/S, and L/S; a repeat CT scan of my L/S (due to lumbar atypical hemangioma); a lower EMG/NCV; and about 30+ vials of blood taken. The neuro MRIs were clean of any demylinating disease; the blood work came back essentially normal (and they ran it for every demylinating and muscle weakness disease, full lyme, etc.); and the EMG/NCV was normal (although it was performed after my legs began to function again). My X-Rays, MRIs and CT scans didn't reveal anything significant (C/S X-Rays: Unremarkable; C/S MRI: few scattered mild deg changes most prominent at C4/5, and C5/6 , C6/7 mild bulges w/o significant central or neural foraminal stenosis; T/S X-Rays - Early spurring anteriorly throughout lower T/S; T/S MRI: only have the films/CD, not report, but lower T/S findings noted on L/S MRI and CT; L/S X-Rays: Unremarkable; L/S MRI: L3/4 mild disc desiccation w/o significant spinal canal or foraminal stenosis; L5/S1 mild disc dessication with annular tear in the intervertebral disc; minimal left paracentral disc protrusion; no significant spinal canal or foraminal stenosis; disc height loss and dystrophic disc calcifiction at T8-T11; and 8 mm T11 small atypical hemangioma; per repeat L/S CT scan, same, w/o sclerotic or destructive lesion; Bi-Knee X-Rays: Unremarkable). At the present time, I have to continue f/u with the neuro and undergo interval repeat brain MRIs to continue to r/o MS, which the neuro doesn't believe I have, (-) MRIS and stating that steroids would make MS patients better, not worse. I have not had any repeat episodes with loss of use of my legs since, but my pains have all come back. Despite extensive diagnostic and blood work-up, I have no idea what happened causing the loss of use of my legs. The doctors all stated that the steroids wouldn't cause this, although I advised them that it occurred and lasted right after the injection and while I was taking the oral steroids, when it was most severe. After I stopped, little by little, my legs returned to normal. Other Rx's taken over this 3 month period included Prednisone, Numbematrone; Relafen; Cyclobenzaprine; and Cymbalta. Does anyone know what could have caused this? Now, I have point specific pain in my T/S between the discs on the left (at my bra strap level), where I believe another hemangiomas is, although I can't confirm w/o the actual report. I have not sustained ax, injury or strain. When I try to stretch my back backwards, rotate, or palpate the area on the spine, it actually hurts in that one spot. My question is ... should I be alarmed at this? Although I am not a hypochondriac, given my family hx, my smoking, and my unexplained hx, I am concerned about the possibiity of cancer. Could the pain I feel in my T/S actually be orginating from my lungs? Is cancer in the lungs or T/S a possibility and if so, what should I do ... who should I see and how should I be tested? I'm tired of going to doctors and tests and hope someone out there can give me some insight before I have to do this all over again. Thanks for taking the time to read this. I hope someone can respond.