Wife has possible nerve problems. Please help! - Neuromuscular Diseases Message Board

swataz · 12-28-2004, 07:38 PM

Ok, bear with me, this may be a long post.

About the first week of September, right before a scheduled colonoscopy (because of chronic constipation problems), my wife started getting a very bad and prolonged pain in her head, kind of a migraine, but again, prolonged -- for about 3 DAYS.

It got so bad at one point, she went to the hospital the next day and got herself a workup but eventually left after a non-NSAID pain reliever was given by injection.

Well, she had the colonoscopy and after it, she experienced the same pain in her head, and in an act of desperation, so to speak, she sought the help of a chiropractic doctor.

Now, at this point, she was starting to feel a BURNING sensation in her head, face and mouth.

The chiro worked on her and at some point during this treatment, she started experiencing the BURNING in other parts of her body, in her limbs, and torso as well as the scalp and neck.

This also coincided with about the same timeframe in which she ceased taking oral contraceptives for the first time in 10 years.

She feels as though one adjustment in particular really set her body off, and actually she started to feel a sensation of an internal tremor.

Here is what we know so far after NUMEROUS doctor visits, CAT scans, and many pints of blood being taken:

* It is not immunological in nature (lupus, etc.) A rheumatologist ruled this out.

* It is not MS - MRI's taken also showed no lesions, and she has no real muscle weakness or lack of coordination. More than one neurologist concurs.

* MRIs have failed to show a compressed nerve in any areas that would normally cause parasthesia in these areas. A sonogram administered by a neurological technician at her current chiropractor said her cervical spine has several inflammed areas. No corroborating data was supplied to us, and her neurologist -- until he sees them -- considers the tests dubious.

What we DO know is that she was injured, along with me, in a car accident last year which ruptured and herniated her L5/S1 disc. She had experienced pain in her legs and back before but NEVER the symptoms that I have described.

We are coming up on 5 months now of mental and physical anguish, and even with continued chiroprctic care from a more conservative and caring doctor, and occasional PT and massage, the symptoms wane somewhat but never go away.

At least the headache went away...

Has ANYONE experienced what my wife has been going through? Ever KNOWN anyone who has experienced this???

Any feedback at ALL would be very much appreciated. We are at our wit's end.

Thanks

goldenwings · 12-29-2004, 11:25 AM

Dear Swataz,

I'm not medically qualified and give here information only from my own personal experience.

I cannot answer the major part of your query, and have every sympathy for your wife.

One thing I can comment on though is the car crash point.

I had a car crash, as a passenger, nine years ago. My head lifted from my shoulders in such a forceful way that it has left me with problems for all of this time. I experienced back troubles after this, with my lower spine especially. This as I say is only my own thought on things, but your wife has to be so very careful of any type of manipulation, especially now you say she has a burning sensation after certain movements. X rays and so on don't pick up on tissue and muscle damage. Massage and manipulation could be irritating the area and making it worse.

You no doubt notice that your wife has limited movement which is only natural. Because of the pain she is going through, she is most probably scared to move the bits (which seem to be most of her body unfortunately) that hurt, so she will have the tendency to hold her body more stiffly. It is such a vicious cycle.

I'm sorry I can't be of much help, but I wanted to let you know that I am thinking of your wife and yourself at this very troubling time.

goldenwings

swataz · 12-29-2004, 11:58 AM

Thanks for your comments and your insights, as well as your kind thoughts. They are appreciated!

Have a wonderful new year.

apriltones · 12-29-2004, 03:33 PM

hi i agree with above, these are just opinions. try fibro board as this is caused by trauma. it doesnt show up on scans and its not life threatining!!! im in similar position. i understand, april.

aslo · 03-11-2005, 06:48 AM

I have similar but different problems. I also have intestinal problems that I thought were due to ulcerative colitis. I too had a colonoscopy/gastoscopy that to my disbelief showed nothing. Even though there is physical evidence.
And for the last year, I have burning, muscle spasms, paresthesia all over my body. It started in the shoulder blade area, left, goes into the arms, and moves around to my legs, and burning in my feet. Because of all this, I suffer from panic and depression. Blood work etc shows nothing. Chiropractors also seem to aggravate my conditions as does massage, whirlpools etc.
I was not involved in an accident. If there is no obvious spinal involvement, or chemical imbalances, this would fall into the myofascial category. I have no answers and its enough to make you insane.Some people are relieved by anti depressants, but I cant take them.You become obsessed with it, and think of little else. Its probably a good idea to learn some stretches and walk as much as possible. I wish you the best and my prayers go out to you. This has ruined my life for the last year, will probably cost me my business, and has hurt my family terribly.