So my MRI that I had for increasing weakness and coordination problems with my hands(L>R) and to determine cause for trigeminal neuralgia I have been experiencing said:" 2 small foci of demylination in nature as well as C5-C6 extrusion present". The Internal med Dr who gave me results was a locum and kind of glossed over everything and since I was in agony and had little to no sleep I was OT thinking straight. I do remember him saying he was going to refer me to a spine clinic and a neurologist and do a whack of labs. My Granfather and my Aunt both had/have MS.
So my questions to you well informed colleagues are:
1: What should I know ask re this disc issue and arthritis?
2: What if anything should be asking for in the way of further testing? To help narrow things down, because of our remoteness I am worried things might get missed/ not followed up on.
Well you hinted at itso I'll hit it. The extrusion is not likley a problem more have them than don't. There is about 900 things I'd consider before a spinal clinic. (thats me) Yes you need to see a neurologist. Demylination isn't the only symptom of MS.
Transverse myelitis is even more common. This by the way is a fancy term for inflammation of the spine. Something you might expect with PsA. Lets get through this flare and then panic. Not that I don't like substitute doctors but they lookk a lot for the big Dx. It pads their resume.
Thanks. I really do not have much choice in the locums. I will ask my Rheumy re the transverse myelitis. I was going to see if I could see a back specialist instead of a spine clinic as that means I need to go south ($$). Thanks for the reassuring words. I hate Drs who throw out scary dx . I was in so much pain and could not even think. I need to start taking someone with me when I am like that to be my brain. Too bad you are so far away! Lol
On another note: these stupid flares any way to predict them? I need to travel next month for a work conference and just want to be as prepared as possible. I need to fly from the NWT to NS, Canada (long flights).
yeah there are number of things. I'll share tomrrow. We had a greathread awhile back. Quite a few of us travel. sadly my wife says I have to to bed. as we are in a motel I better mind.......
Kirsten said:
Thanks. I really do not have much choice in the locums. I will ask my Rheumy re the transverse myelitis. I was going to see if I could see a back specialist instead of a spine clinic as that means I need to go south ($$). Thanks for the reassuring words. I hate Drs who throw out scary dx . I was in so much pain and could not even think. I need to start taking someone with me when I am like that to be my brain. Too bad you are so far away! Lol
On another note: these stupid flares any way to predict them? I need to travel next month for a work conference and just want to be as prepared as possible. I need to fly from the NWT to NS, Canada (long flights).
I drove my best friend to an eye specialist who diagnosed her with MS after she was long suffering. She is currently taking a shot weekly, it has helped her tremendously, though she still suffers fatigue. She accomplishes much though, she still works and still spends much time with her daughter, helping with her 5 grandchildren!
She owes much to the meds, I hope that you soon can too, Kirsten!
Hi Kirsten, no expert on the demyelination so I’ll leave that to others, but with regards to the disc I’ll add my bit that extrusion is very common in anyone whose ever done anything, and most people don’t even notice it.
I have an L4-L5, and generally I notice it if I get a PsA flare in my lower back, which in combination with the bulge can lead to nerve impingement - this leads to tingling and or numbness in my feet and legs, weakness, poor co-ordination, even feeling concerned that bladder control might be lost (though it didn’t happen thank god) etc (wow - I haven’t had it in a couple of years - just realised how scary that symptom list looks
I can certainly understand the greater concerns, and hope you get over your flare and get an answer quickly.
