Hi again. Well I went to my neuro appt. yesterday. I left there alittle confused. All he did was check reflexes, took blood pressure in both arms then again while my head was turned to the left until it shook (like I was telling you about) and looked into my eyes with that bright little light thing. Afterwards all he said was..I have to agree with your family Dr...it's stress and anxiety. He never felt my neck or anything. I asked him how he could be sure and all he said was..it's stress. I asked him to order an mri..he told the receptionist to set me up an appt. to have MRI of my brain and also my cervical spine area. I don't go there until next Monday. When I first got there it was a bunch of questions...how long have I had this problem...what are the symptoms....am I healthly..(he asked me that 3 times) I told him how the chiro had me scared to death by what she had told me..he said, I know what she thought you might have, but you don't have that. How does he know I don't have that vertebral artery thing unless I have the MRI first??? I told him about my swaying, off balance feelings, about how the floor seems to move while standing still and I have to grab onto the counter, how my blood feels as if its being shut off when I turn my head to the left when laying down etc...he just didn't seem concerned about it. he didn't tell me what I could do to relieve the symptoms or anything. He is supposed to be the best neur around here. Shouldn't he have done some other tests while I was there? Well anyway, back to being nervous while I wait to have MRI appt. and the results. Any insights from anyone would be appreciated.

Stress and anxiety cause the muscles to tighten up, putting pressure on the blood vessels supplying the oxygen to the brain. You mentioned a problem with your neck before, stiff, and aching, this is what causes your head to shake when turned to the side. If the MRI shows nothing wrong, you could try to get a referral to physical therapy, and tell them your symptoms, they would be able to find the problem areas right away. And since the neuro. didn't order one and you had to ask, there is a good chance nothing will be found wrong. An MRI will not show muscle problems. I had to tell my doctor that I wanted to be referred to PT for these symptoms, it never occurred to him that my symptoms could be coming from my neck. It seems to be very commonly overlooked. If you have had neck problems anyway, stiffness, aching, and the shaking when turning to the side, I would try a few sessions of PT. Remember, this is soft tissue work they do on you, where they knead the knots out and it was very painfull for me, yet nothing else worked. It is not just exercises. Let me know what you find out after your MRI please. Kamden

Thanks for replying (again) Kamden. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif Yep..I had to ask for the MRI's. He said he didn't think I needed them but it was up to me. I had my husband try rubbing my neck muscles but I couldn't stand it. He said they felt hard as rocks. My daughter reminded me of when I went to the hair salon this summer and I couldn't stand holding my neck up over the rim of the sink. I had to tell the girl she had to hurry it up cause it was killing my neck. My daughter says maybe that is when all of this started. I'm not really sure but its a thought. Maybe that strained my muscles and along with always on putor etc...Do you think I should believe that neuro I went to??? I guess I will be more relaxed after the MRI results. The neuro even gave me a presciption for 3-2mg of valium to take 30 minutes before my tests. I am supposed to take all 3. He said he could tell how nervous I was just being in his office and thought the valium would relax me better then the xanax. Thanks again for taking the time to always respond. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

The neuro. may very well be right, and with your neck being that painfull just from being rubbed, that is pure tension. It can either be caused by the position you are holding yourself in ( computer ) or stress, or both. Your neck should not be that hard, so i would not hesitate to try physical therapy. Also, I hope you have good insurance, because MRI's can be pretty expensive, and insurance companies will only pay for it if they think it is medically necessary, did you check on this before hand? Anyway, that is how my neck was also, hard as a rock, but what is surprising is that the deep down trigger points that are usually the cause of this, are in the upper back located by the shoulder blades. They can be hard for the lay person to find, I only know where they are because mine were worked on so much. But the really good news is the doctor didn't find anything seriously wrong with you and I am happy for you for that! Keep writing, would like to know how you do if you go to physical therapy. You could even call and make sure you are going to a place that knows how to check for this and work on it. Good luck, Kamden

I am a junior contributor on the neuropathy board. As far as your neurological exam, most of these arrogant professional think they can make elaborate diagnosis from two small taps with their stethescope or mallet. Tendon jerks I've been told are remarkable and every muscle has a reflex. I feel slighted and quite cheated @ every level of neurology for over 4 years of misery. Armed with a cemented list of complaints, at a possitive Dx for small fiber Neuropathy I felt like I was begging for help from a hie, hurried and obviously disinterested Neuro @ Cleveland Clinic. Only action from the resident was the option of amyloid neuropathy brought up. MRI's MRA's CT scans, spinals, mylograms, NCS/NVS, SEP's, SSERs, byopsys, and Autonomics are all forms of testing required for a complete work up. Anyone have any evidence that arteiosclerosis may have any correlation with periphral and other neuropathies? Good luck on finding an empathetic professional, remembering that neuropathies are difficult to understand and most have no clear ediology.

hi,
in my experience and mri wont show what you want to see. if you want to see the arteries are fine you need an mra not mri. same machine, different software.
jan

hi,
in my experience and mri wont show what you want to see. if you want to see the arteries are fine you need an mra not mri. same machine, different software.
mri jtakes apics nof soft tissue in head, mra takes pics of the arteries in your head
jan

Hey there Pink Blazer,

I think it's pretty widely agreed that most neurologist think they are God's gift to humanity. I have been told by my neurosurgeon, I should keep one on record for referals and drug Rx. To that end I have one. But every three months I pay $95 out of pocket for two mallet taps on my fore arms. He seems oblivious to my complaints. So too does the big shots @ Cleveland Clinic. I was quite disappointed to be so readily brushed off there. I realise that there may be some neuropathies with no ediologies. One would think doctors would be eager to investigate. The Cleveland resident Dr. represented # 59 and the Neuro was doc # 60 in 4 years. Best wishes on finding any empathy in the medical industry.

janet...the Dr. didn't even think I needed the MRI's let alone have dye injected and have MRI. He said I don't have the artery insufficiency because I don't have the classical symptoms. (no numbness, tingling,fainting,vision problems etc..)Well my Monday MRI appt. has been changed to 7pm tonight. So wish me luck all.

Hi again Pink,

There is nothing to worry about with the MRI unless you're really scared of confined spaces and even then it's not too bad. I actually thought it was quite relaxing and I ended up falling asleep. If the doctor ordered contrast, they will inject you with a needle about half way through, but it's no worse then getting blood taken. It's basically a dye that gives contrast to the MRI and helps the docs look for irregularities in your head and upper spine. As I understand it, the main reason for an MRI is to check for tumors or other "brain" problems. Since dizziness and shaking can be a by-product of a tumor, you want to rule it out. I doubt you'll find out the results tonight but I would ask to personally pick up the films and report when available. Schedule a follow-up with your neuro to review the results. Hopefully you're all clear and can persue the physical therapy options. I'm slowly starting to feel better after 3 visits. Getting insurance to pay has been my biggest hurdle but it's all been resolved and I can finally go full steam ahead. Good luck tonight.

I almost forgot but I received some great stetches from my physical therapist that should help with your neck. I'll try to post them in the next few days so keep your eyes open. They seem to help me the most. On a lighter note, what part of upstate NY are you from? I have family in Syracuse, ski Whiteface and Gore, and spend at least a week at Lake George every summer. I've been all over the world and still think your "neck" of the woods is the best.

rg8...thanks for responding. I'm not having the dye injected. The neuro wasn't even going to order the MRI's, I had to tell him I wanted them. These are going to be "open" mri's, whatever that means. My head shakes/bobs, when I am sitting and turn my head to the left.It feels like it is on a nerve (best way to describe it). I discoved if while my head is turned and my head is shaking and I raise my right arm in the air, my head doesn't shake at all. For the past week or so, my neck and upper back muscles are so tense. I can barely turn my head to the right without having a pain near my right shoulder blade (feels like something is stuck). I had a CT scan of the brain in March and it came back normal. Maybe a tumor or something has developed since then. I don't know what an MRI shows but hopefully nothing. I really agree with Kamden and think its a muscle/nerve thing. And I believe it is from always being on these computors. BTW, I am near the Binghamton area. Thanks again. p.s. how long will thses mri's take. Getting really nervous!

My MRI took about 45 minutes. If they find nothing wrong, get yourself to a good physical therapist for that neck and upper back. In fact, tell the neuro. about your neck problems and have him refer you there.

hi again,
hope your mri went well. just to clear it up....and mra is magnetic resonance agiography which can be done with or without dye. it is the same machine as mri just different software, you cant tell when you are having it any difference from an mri. but mri will not show your arteries to confirm you do or dont have a problem with vertebrel/basilar insufficiency.
but like you mentioned the symptons dont really match a whole lot. i had tons of numbness that never went away, my vision was missing chunks ofit most time, extreme vertigo everday. it took 18 months to diagnosis me but that was when wammo i have already had 7 strokes. but my arteries were really bad.
jan

OK..had the MRI's of the brain and the cevical spine. I was very nervous when I got there but was feeling more relaxed after a few minutes. It took 1 1/2 hours. The woman said it took so long because the brain and cervical spine take the longest of all mri's. OK, why didn't the woman doing the tests tell me anything about the results??? All she said is I would have to call the dr. who ordered them. Now that made me VERY nervous. I am so tired of going through all this stress of waiting for answers. Shouldn't she have known if anything was wrong? Tired out now....going to bed early. Night all http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

Morning Pink,

Don't sweat the fact that they wouldn't give you the results - it doesn't mean anything. I was able to get my films right away (with allot of kissing up) but a doctor didn't review them and write his findings for a couple of days. I think most MRI's take place later in the evening, are all dumped in a pile then reviewed by a doctor maybe once or twice per week. Just a guess but they probably figure that if you have a tumor, it's not going anywhere in a couple of days. Did they at least give you a time frame for when the results would be available? Either way, I'd call and ask for a copy of the report when available. It's your information. Keep us posted. Get better!

P.S. I have the same pain in the shoulder blade. It hasn't yet responded to physical therapy but feels better when I strech it out. Try bringing your right arm straight across and against your chest. Hold your elbow with the left hand. Turn your head to look over left shoulder, then drop chin to chest. Hold for about 5 seconds, return to neutral then repeat on the other side. Only do it to the point when you feel a light stretch. I do 2 sets 3 times a day and it helps.

[This message has been edited by rgraf8 (edited 11-13-2002).]

Hey, rg8. I am so glad to have people like you to talk to and get responses. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif Well the woman last night DID give me the films. I said to her "why are you giving them to me, I don't know how to read them". She said e'one gets their films and they are faxed to the Dr. also. She said it would be tonight or tomorrow morning before the results are read.... Sure is making me nervous. Especially when she told me to make appt. with my dr. for the results. The neuro told me I wouldn't need another appt. so he didn't make one. Thanks for the stretching exercises. I will be trying them when I get home tonight. You would not believe how nervous I am waiting for the results!!!! If I could only relax. Thanks again for responding http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wink.gif

forgot to add: I have the films..but no way will I even take them out of the envelopes. Wouldn't know what I was looking at anyway...lol http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wink.gif

There's no need to be nervous. I once heard an expression that makes allot of sense - worrying is like sitting on a rocking chair, it gives you something to do but doesn't get you anywhere. They only want you to make an appointment so a doctor can review the results with you. It doesn't mean anything is wrong. Look at the films if you want. Even if something is wrong, you cant tell but the pictures look kind of cool. My kids and I looked at each slide and they swear my head is empty. Try the stretches but go easy. I'm trying to find the time to post the rest but my typing skills are horrible.

I am so scared right now, I can hardly type. I called the neuro for my results....he said the cervical spine and brain were normal...BUT....the radiologist told him my tonsils and adenoids were abnormally enlarged. The neuro told me in all the years he's been a Dr., he has never been told something like that. All the neuro said is..he would fax the results to my family dr. and I would have to go from there. I don't have a sore throat, my throat looks fine..I don't know what it means but here I go again.......what next?????????????

Hey there Pink Blazer,

Fear not about looking at your films. They are treated pretty roughly by doctors and nurses. I have looked @ a lot of mine. I still don't know what they see differently, however, I have approx. 38 pounds of film. I was sent by the local clinic to a Veterans hospital several years ago to have an arteriogram done. That Vascular Specialist pick-up on the need right away for a neurological exam. So don't be alarmed @ any of this stuff. I returned, just today from doctor # 57 of 60, an Oncologist/Hemotogist with a Rx for Iron. Seems my bone marrow byospy 3 weeks ago (notice the timing) detected 0. Knowing I am + for splenomeglia he said it may take 9 months to get my iron count back, if every thing else is normal. The amyloid neuropathy thing may have some correlation. Don't fret any of your Dx's. It only tends to spiral you downward. Best wishes, strive to be patient, and DO NOT GIVE UP HOPE, Larry

[This message has been edited by LarryGCline (edited 11-13-2002).]

but I AM scared Larry. I have been looking up enlarged tonsils/adenoids all over the web since the neuro told me this. All I can figure out is,it must be some form of lymph node cancer. I finally looked at my films and I don't even know where to look for the tonsils... I haven't quit shaking either, I can't relax. I go to the medical dr. tomorrow morning. I'll tell ya..it sure took my mind of my head shaking and etc...but I know it means something terrible is wrong with me. What if I never had the MRI's??? I never would have known about it.

Morning again Pink. Sorry your news has you so upset but it seams to me that we may be jumping the gun a little bit. Please try and relax. The internet can be very dangerous when it comes to self diagnosing our illnesses. I'm a research junky and ended up thinking I had every rare disease out there in trying to resolve my problems over the past year. Talk to your doctor this morning about what it all means and how to best treat what's bothering you. Please try to keep an open mind. Let us know how it goes.

I forgot to add that when the doctors are trying to resolve head problems, it's done by a process of elimination. A byproduct is that they sometimes find other things wrong with you that may or may not be a problem or related. When I had a CT scan, they found a pollyp the size of a golf ball in my maxillary sinus.
I've always had congestion but it was no big deal. Now I need to treat that with nasal sprays to rule it out as the root of my other problems, which it wasn't. It still freaks me out to see the image but my point is that I probaly could have lived with it for the rest of my life without even knowing it was there.


[This message has been edited by rgraf8 (edited 11-14-2002).]

Thank you again RG8....I went to my appt. this morning. GOOD NEWS http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif He got the report from the radiologist...I do NOT have enlarged tonsils (like the neuro told me) but I do have enlarged adenoids. The dr. said it was nothing to worry about, it was because I smoke. (YES...I am going to quit)He explained the smoke irritates the adenoids and they swell, which also explains the post nasal drip I've had for years. he said I did NOT have cancer or any other disease..I suffer from anxiety. Well who wouldn't, after being scared to death by e'thing that has been going on??? Then the Dr. went on to say....did the neuro tell you about your slighty herniated disc in C? (can't remember the #.) and did he tell you your cervical spine is out of alignment, and that you have a slight degenerative something??? I told him NO...the neuro said e'thing was fine as far as the spine and brain. Well, I can't tell you what a releif it was to hear I'm not going to die http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif My Dr. showed me some exercises to do for my neck shaking thing. He wants me to try then for a month before he refers me for PT. And RG8....the Dr. said the same thing you told me in your last post....stop looking things up on the internet...all it does is scare people into thinking they have something they don't. I want to thank e'one for listening to my complaints and fears and for replying with a positive outlook. I looked forward to reading all the answers..it helped me through my days of this constant fear. It was also a release of tension, to talk about my fears with other people. Just to give you an idea of how terrified I was, (always thinking the worst) I never slept last night (stayed up all night on the putor looking up diseases)I even decided that after my appt. was over, I would go back home and decide what to leave my daughters when I die. Now is that fear or what???? Well thank god, I am alright. At least I know that in a month if these exercises haven't helped my neck and back, I will finally be referred to PT http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gifwhich is all I wanted in the first place. Thanks again e'one. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

No problem Pink. Situations like this always make us question our mortality. I think it's a good thing, kind of like a little check point to keep us on track. Good luck with the stretching. I find it helps but you need to do it everyday. Keep on top of it. Physical therapy is the way to go. I'm worse now than before I started but at least I know they're getting to it. Looks like we're done with this thread. Be good.

Pinkblazer, I am sorry i have not been around here to help you lately, I was out of town for a few days. I am so happy you found nothing serious wrong. And it is a good idea not to look too much up on the internet because it puts unnecessary stress on a person, ideas into their head, and it does not work to self diagnose!!! I am glad rgraf8 was here to help you though. Good luck with everything.

(((((KAMDEN))))) thank you so much for helping me out. You were right about e'thing. Whenever I posted on here, I felt like I was writing in a journal, only this one would answer back..ha ha. Thanks again to e'one for your help. You were always here when I needed some encouragement.

So how are you doing now pink? Did the neck exercises work?