Seeking answers - Multiple Sclerosis Message Board

KimC57 · 04-24-2007, 01:12 PM

Hello All,
I will attempt to make this post brief. I am a 49yr F-diagnosed 4yrs ago after an open lung surgery with ?mycobacterial infection. Initial symptom at that time was major fatigue (flu like)-no complaints of my lungs. Granulomas were detected on a lung CT- I have been journeying down this path thinking maybe the re-occurrence of my symptoms were lung related. Not the case. Following this surgery in 2003- Every six months or so I would be hit with this feeling of major fatigue, and a burning, tingling sensation throughout my back. Hand and arm aching, which I associated with ? computer work.
January of this year I was hit once again with this dibilitating fatigue. Some have described it perfectly on this site as "walking through wet cement"- Burning and tingling throughout the back, shifting at times through the spleen and kidneys. Head and ears feel like a "pressure cooker"- Not painful, just annoying with the pressure and fullness. Inside of mouth (Tongue, roof) feels tingly and burning sensation. NECK-extreme pain at times at the top area of spine. Notable short term memory, contributed to age.
Pleuritic type chest pain when resting-just little electrical charges
MRI brain,ears,cervical spine ordered-
Brain- (FLAIR signal change left frontal lobe may be related to demyelinating disorder or some migraines(never had a migraine)non-specific in findings???
CERVICAL-Multilevel spondylosis with moderate to severe spinal canal stenosis at C4-5, moderate stenosis at C5-6, and C7-T1.
Off work for over 4weeks. Neuro advises neruo surgeon consult- I in all honesty do not feel this is the root of my problem.
Any comments or support would be so greatly appreciated. I feel lost out here in the world of medicine. I know myself, and I know I am not well.

Thanks, Kim

duttin · 04-24-2007, 01:26 PM

KIM,

The spinal stenosis,narrowing of the spinal canal can explain some of the symptoms you are experiencing.From the C4 and down can explain the chest tightening ,numbness and so on.

The stenosis does not explain the symptoms from above the C4 and above.I would definatly seek a second opinion on the brain MRI.There are what they call silent migraines.

For the spinal issues seek a specialist with a spinal fellowship and don't settle for nothing less.

You definatly have neurological issues occurring,It's very hard when spine issues come into play.IT took me 2 years and 14 DRs to get past the spinal surgeries I had,they wanted to blame my surgeries for the neurological deficits that were occurring.

KimC57 · 04-24-2007, 01:50 PM

Dear Nuffs3-thanks for your response. My frustration with the spinal issues is the fatigue- I have to wait now two weeks to seek professional interpretation of the MRI- What do you mean by spinal fellowship? I have been contemplating going to Scripps or Cleveland clinic for another eval- Like many, I am just tired of being tired..Thanks again!