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Herniated Disc Complications?

Hi all,

I am looking for some suggestions as to the likelihood my symptoms are from herniated discs.

I am 25 and I have had back pain for 5(?) years. It increases in intensity with standing or with work. It is a deep, stiff pain, vs. a muscle feeling pain. In November I finished my first 1/2 marathon and it pushed my pain over the edge, keeping it constant instead of increasing throughout the day as before. By the end of a day the pain would radiate all the way to my neck (still very deep and stiff..)

I started seeing a chiropractor early February. I explained my previous medical history to her (gastroparesis diagnoses in 2012, IBS, GERD, as well as regular bouts of light headedness, blurry vision, and floaters x 5 months), she did X-rays, and started treatment. After 3 alignments we could not continue as my health and pain took a turn for the worse and she suggested I see a neurologist before she proceeded with care. Fast forward two weeks and I had my first neuro apt who suggested an MRI of brain, cervical, and thoracic spine, as well as some other tests to rule out neurological disorders. These would be called in and arranged at a later date. I was also given a near exam that I did well on except I had decreased sensitivity in both hands that was noted.

A week later I woke up with no feeling in both arms down through finger tips. I went to the ER, had the MRIs done which came back with three inactive peri ventricular lesions (two 2mm and one the size of a quarter) from brain, NO lesions on spine, mild herniated C2-3 (neurosurgeon said that could not cause the numbness), and mild building down my thoracic spin (neurosurgeon said this also didn't look to be causing my problems, as it was minor.) I was admitted for observation and had a LP done to rule out MS, which came back negative (but I was told this didn't rule MS out, would have just better ruled it in.)

I am now in the process of completing what feels like hundreds of more tests, and I am curious about your experience with symptoms from herniated discs, bulging discs, nerve compression, etc.

My current symptoms are:
-bilateral hand numbness that varies in intensity x3 weeks
-off balance/big headed/floating vertigo x2 weeks
-stiff neck and back
-deep, stiff right arm pain
-visual disturbances (halos, floaters, spots) in left eye, very tired (swollen feeling) left eye, blurry vision both eyes which has increased in intensity with numbness (so, x3 weeks)
-exhaustion. bad.
-cognitive delay (mild speech stutters, slurs, holes/lost thoughts) x2 weeks


I am an otherwise healthy, active 25 year old female. My current neurologist seems stumped and is referring me to an MS specialist, but also having me tested for carpal tunnel, peripheral neuropathy, an equilibrium disorder, and a few more things.

Is it likely my chiropractic visits (which were done 3 weeks before the numbness began) could be the culprit for all of these symptoms? If so, why has physical therapy to relieve this nerve compression have been suggested? Would nerve compression (or any other cause of peripheral neuropathy) have shown on a W/WO contrast MRI?

Thanks in advance for all your information!

Amanda
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Avatar universal
Thanks for your response,

An EMG and NC test were done in all extremities and were normal. I have since been diasgnosed with Optic Neuritis, and began steroid treatment for a auto immune exacerbation. Drs seems to be leaning towards MS.

Helpful - 0
351246 tn?1379682132
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi Amanda!
I am sorry to hear about your medical problems. The symptoms could be due to low or high blood pressure, severe anemia, low blood sugar, temporal arteritis, hyperthyroidism, ear problems, migraine, cervical nerve compression (an EMG/NCV test should be done to diagnose this as MRI is often negative) or benign intracranial hypertension (should be suspected even though LP was normal).  This needs a comprehensive investigation. Please consult your doctor regarding this. Take care!

The medical advice given should not be considered a substitute for medical care provided by a doctor who can examine you. The advice may not be completely correct for you as the doctor cannot examine you and does not know your complete medical history. Hence this reply to your post should only be considered as a guiding line and you must consult your doctor at the earliest for your medical problem.
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