QUIX, PLEASE read if can, just got back from md :(

[missy142]

Quix,
I know we dont know each other and im sorry to bother you for your time as I know you are very busy on this forum and in high demand:)  But I will ask the question anyway in hopes you will take a peek, as I am very upset and have been in pain for months and months and, respect your knowledge.  WHAT IS YOUR OPINION OF MY BRAIN MRI, TO ME IT SEEMS NEGLIGIBLE BUT I KNOW NEXT TO NOTHING ABOUT MS.

I just got back from my orthosurgeon visit and I waited about 1 and1/2 hours and he spent about 3 minutes with me and my new MRI's more herniations (thoracic) and brain MRI.  Hi looked a radiologist report of brain and said "See i knew there would be something"  And said "have you seen the neurologist I told you to go to yet?"  and I said  "my appt is next monday" and he said good, tell her to call me.  Im beginning to think this guy is an a-hole too. along with my other surgeon who told me I had the beginnings of cauda equina syndrom due to my L5/S1 herniation, come to find out there isnt even any nerve involvement in the herniation!   A-HOLE!

then we proceeded to argue over my cervical injuries as I believe my extreme muslce weakness, paresthessias in legs etc. is due to cervical compression of my cord, stenosis and so forth( if you kindly read my post It will say all my injuries). He said well maybe it is but I dont think so".  I said to him about the Brain MRI "but it says its R/T migraines and he said "Its not my area go to the neurologist and have her call me".  I suppose after that I will eventually have to have surgery, as i believe I am right abou this.  WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE BRAIN MRI REPORT, I THOUGHT IT WAS PRETTY BENIGN BUT NO NOTHING ABOUT MS.    If you read my original post which I am cutting and pasting in here you willl get the whole picture.

ORIGINAL POST

I just got my radiologist report back of my brain MRI. States "Several scattered nonspecific punctate perventricular white matter signal hyperintensities may be of incidental note".  Differential diagnosis woud include minor changes related to migraine headaches. Done on 3T machine.  I do have migraines as of late, last 3 days, vomit etc. *****.

The reason for the  Brain and thoracic MRI is I have alot of spine issues. HX: cervical herniations with ventral cord impression C5/6, C6/7, cervical spinal stenosis, foraminal narrowing, ventral cord abutment, too much to read off.   (5)  thorasic bulges pressing on thecal sac  and 1 thoracic herniation T7/8 pressing on thecal sac and L5/S1 herniation which we thought was behind all my Lower extremity issues but according to that MRI there isnt any nerve impingement.

Ortho ordered  thorasic spine and brain MRI  because he feels "THERE IS SOMETHING ELSE GOING ON".  He does not aspire to the idea apparently that cervcical herniations even with cord impression cause Lower extremity issues. Thoracic MRI which was done on .6T machine (I know NOW, no good if looking for lesions, but he never said what he was looking for or what type of MRI machine I should go to, so I went to the open ones like I always do, sitting up)  THORACIC RESULTS - stated above

HX: 3/09 my right foot went numb, following with bilateral leg pain, I woke up the next day and couldnt walk, severe muscle weakness, could barely stand, it has relented since and platead and I am able to walk about 20 mins before they become spastic, clumsy and stiff, sitting or lying down relieves the problem somewhat at this point.  I have pain in my legs, muscle aches (bad) paresthesias in groin, buttock, right foot, sometimes left, cervical area numbness now, few inches below base of skull, word finding problems bad, to the point of studdering at times,others have noticed, RLS symptoms almost constantly, never had before all this started last year.  My first ortho said I had the beginnings of cauda equina syndrome from my L5/S1 herniation and wanted to due fusion right way.  But the i was told by 2nd ortho  that that herniation is not pressing on anything so it could not be causing CES. 1st ortho is very agressive and likes to cut. He wanted to cut my neck months ago, but I had 2 epidurals for all the UE symptoms with a good deal of relief, but alas it is coming back.

My 2nd ortho and  1st orth doesnt seem to relate (or hasnt mentioned anyway) correlating  the lower extremity weakness with the 2 cervical herniations impressing on the cord, god only knows why. ( I have never had UE weakness just pain, severe radiculopathy, paresthesias) . I am to see a neuro on the 27th, neurosurgeon on 24th.  Perhaps the Neursugeon can will have a different opinion about cord compression causing LE paraparesis, paresthias etc.  I dont think it is the thoracic herniation has have no really problems in that area just some occassional right flank pain.  Once I had pins and needs across the left side of my torso but it passed.

PHEW!  ANY THOUGHTS ABOUT THE BRAIN MRI AND SHOULD I GET ANOTHER THORACIC AND CERVICAL MRI ON A 3T MACHINE TO LOOK FOR OTHER PATHOLOGIES SUCH AS LESIONS( IF THE INSURANCE COMPANY ALLOWS THAT IS)?  PART OF THIS IS ALSO WORKMAN'S COMP SO IT IS BECOMING A POTENTIAL LEGAL MESS FOR ME I THINK

THE REASON I AM SO WORRIED is that my LE weakness happend literally OVERNIGHT.  I dont know if cord compression happens like this, there was no acute trauma.  

I dont know if I have anything besides cord compression (like thats not enough) but I am FRIGHTENEND OF BEING CUT BEFORE WE KNOW WHERE THE SYMPTOMS ARE COMING FROM.  BUT I AM ALSO SCARED TO DEATH THAT THE NERVES WILL BE PERMANENTLY DAMAGED WITH ALL THE TIME THAT HAS BEEN PASSING SINCE I WOKE UP AND COULDNT WALK 3/09.  

Had a bad day today, left foot went numb on and off all day, alot of pain in legs (percocet) and gait was very stiff, clumsy and legs very weak today, felt took a step back again out of nowhere.

Thanks,
missy

I promise not to post anymore arduous posts such as this one again:)

[missy142]

Hi Shell,
Yes thanks, i have all notes from all my md's as I alway keep, and I have read alot of the health pages.

This was the 2nd visit with THIS Orthosurgeon and he supposedly one of the best.  Apprently he just wanted to look at my films hence the abbreviated visit.  When he saw the BRAIN MRI film he said "see I knew there was something".  He doesnt want to do surgery on any area of my neck or back until he r/o everything.

I realized my post is long but I have to present the spine issues as you know in order for whoever is reading it to get the full picture.

I am hoping Quix will see my post and take a look at the BRAIN MRI, She had looked at it the other day and said she would answer tomorrow, but never did.  I also emailed her some time ago but got not response.  It ok I can wait. I would like her thoughts about the MRI.  And if she doesnt answer thats ok too.

Your so kind to answer my email, and thanks for the welcome:)
missy

I AM NOT the one who thinks its MS or any other neurological disease the md seems convinced somehow that there is some other neurological thing going on in addition to my spine issues.

[sllowe]

Hi Missy,

I'm sorry for the pain you are in, but want to add on a welcome to you.

As you have probably noticed, we have many, many subject matter experts, and our Dear Quix is a  busy llady.  If she feels she can contribute and is able, she will.  

It does appear you have your share of spinal issues. I don't like hearing that the surgeon only spent 3 minutes with you.  It's something we discuss here often - knowing when to move on.

Sorry we cannot say if this is MS or not, but if you would like to learn about MS please visit our health pages - they are jammed with information and some very new pieces that are so educational.  Please see how MRIs show lesions.  I think the information will help prepare you for your neuro appt.

Are you bringing someone with you? Have you started a timeline of test and symptoms?  We are here to help you through this.

Thank you agaiin for joining us! See you around!
-shell

[missy142]

BUMP PLEAS:)

[missy142]

thanks,
i appreciate your input and i hope she pipes in as well.  I have been in maddddddd pain (like percocet pain for months) with all my spinal problems.  7 months ago you would have never known there was anthing wrong with me.
Only thing I give to his credit is he is trying to find out exactly the cause before surgery which seems imminent if there is no pathology going on.  How at 47 I got all these spinal problems i'll never know.  
I am so discouraged and left his office balling my eyes out, they never let you say what you need to.  And you know its not like I dont have "intelligent" supposedly ortho's.  One graduated from columbia and did intership at NYU.  and the other is the first ortho in NY i believe to do artificial disc replacement.  I am a nurse and I have always hated md. (well most):o)  I just cant believe I there could be such a coincidence as 2 major issues suddently appearing at the same time.  I dont now, but they need to find out soon as im starting to lose it.  I cant walk right ever and im almost always in some kind of pain in neck or legs, let alone all the paresthesia's.

thanks,
mary

[Lulu54]

Missy,
I know I'm not Q and I'm not an expert, but I will agree with your assessment that the doc is an A-hole.    He's seeing something in your records that is talking to him and that he wouldn't share that with you is inexcusable.  

Its good that you are going to the neuro soon.  v Something we point out all the time, but then quickly forget, is you have to stay open to the possibility that you have more than one thing going on with your body.  Perhaps your have MS AND the spinal problems??

I hope Quix sees your post and can lend some insight,
Lulu