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Avatar universal

Tears in Limbo Land

Ok, I had the lumbar MRI on Wed and my dr's office just called.  All I heard was ... problems ... spine  .... see neurosurgeon.....  

This again is the big blinking light of L5/S1 problem that distracts every doctor.  I'll go tonight and pick up another copy of the MRI disc for the neurosurgeon and a copy of the report.  Then I can read it when I am at least calmer.   The MRI center is open until 11pm so I can wait for traffic to decrease and for myself to calm down.

However my Dr's office did say that this does not explain the weakness in my arms, my decreasing dexterity in my fingers i.e. I can't do buttons anymore and I have trouble picking things up small items, my dizziness, my vertigo and my intolerence to heat.

So I have a follow up appt with my primary care next Friday the 12th.  I'm going to request a brain MRI on the T3 machine with the MS protocol.  If that comes back normal then I will put my MS concerns to rest and move on.  The problems have been around for over 10 years so if a T3 MRI on my brain with contrast doesn't show any thing then I'm comfortable moving on.  (you can read my journal and earlier postings on the time line and symptoms)

I was starting to doubt myself but then I reread my brain MRI from a few months ago and that was only on a .7T open MRI machine without contrast so all that did was rule out stroke and rule out a tumor.

Then I doubted myself with the latest back MRI but I just read earlier posts today that the lumbar region won't show any lesions because there is no white matter.  Arghhhhhhhh

So I believe I need to demand a brain MRI T3 machine and go from there.

And after I read the report then I will call and make an appt with the neurosurgeon and hear his take on the back problems.  

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Avatar universal
Back from the MRI center with the loooong report.  Thank goodness for the internet and the ability to research all of the terminology that I don't understand.  I've printed out a lot of helpful info.  More problems at L5-S1; new problems at L4-L5 and L3-L4.  However the most important part for me is the absence of pain.  My legs just crumple and I can't walk.  No pain is wonderful, hence my delay in seeking medical assistance.

But I am living back where I had the 3rd surgery in 2001.  I will call that neurosurgeon tomorrow and make an appt (following the recommendation of my primary care).  I will explain my symptoms - the legs crumpling, not being able to walk for several days, the intermittent tingling and "feet falling asleep".  The decisions between walking home (50 minute walk) on legs that I couldn't feel because strange as it may be it was even harder to get on/off the bus when I couldn't feel my feet.  And the problems with my arms/hands.  I'll let the neurosurgeon review the MRIs and the report and offer his opinion on whether the MRI results explain the problem or whether there is a disconnect as I believe.  

I don't want surgery just for the sake of surgery.  That was a strange thing from the back injury in 2000.  The post op report clearly comments on the strange fact that at admission and right before the surgery there was absolutely no ankle reflex in my left foot.  None, nada.... However the surgeon was surprised because after opening me up there was no obstruction that would cause that.   That was just one of the many mysteries of my back problems and walking difficulties.  Lots of misdirects and looking for "easy" answers which in hindsight may have been wrong.

Limbo land - always an adventure. :-)
Helpful - 0
429700 tn?1308007823
A good doctor will put the puzzle pieces together for you.  I have a few other problems that were distracting red herrings and I'm living proof that there are caring, competent doctors out there that can figure things out (I know it sounds impossible right now--been through that).  

While you're at it, you may want to mention an MRI of the cervical spine.  You never know if lesions will show up there.  I have an MRI with and without contrast of the brain and an MRI without contrast of the cervical spine every six months to check my progress.

Like you said, you can't rule out MS with a .7T MRI machine.  Can you call back the doctor and ask if you can see just a neurologist (preferably an MS Specialist) because of the other problems you are having?  Have you had any new symptoms that you could mention to him to make your case of a neurologist?  

I've never been to a neurosurgeon.  Maybe that person may order the other MRIs.?????  

Deb
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Avatar universal
Aagh.  Good luck to you.  I know EXACTLY how you feel, when you are pretty sure there's something the drs ought to be checking out, but they keep getting side tracked.  Been there, am still trying to figure out how to get around it.  Sounds like your ideas are good ones, though.  

Blessings--

dazedmom
Helpful - 0
428506 tn?1296557399
I'm sorry to hear your are frustrated.  I think lots of people have trouble when there is more than one thing "wrong."

Age, back problems, weight, emotional problems, the list goes on.  None of these exclude other medical conditions, but they can all be red herrings and/or roadblocks.

I  hope you will be able to find a doctor who looks at the whole picture, and not just once piece of the puzzle.
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