Hello everyone, thank you for taking the time to read this. I posted a couple day's ago when I was feeling pretty depressed. I have had pain that started in my right hip in April that has progressed to affecting the whole leg. I have had numerous tests done and they all have come back negative including an EMG a few day's ago. Doctors have been telling me for months that I was probably experiencing nerve pain so I was pretty shocked when nothing showed on the EMG test. Today I went back to the doctor and now she wants me to get further testing to see if I have multiple sclerosis. I was just wondering if anyone has had the spinal tap done and if it was as painful as it sounds. Also I could really use some advice on how to deal with all this pain. I don't want to let the pain consume my life like I fear it is. I need some coping advice, I don't want to talk with my friends or family about this because I don't want them to worry. I would love to hear your advice and would truly appreciate. Thank you for your time and concern.
Sincerely,
SFerggy25
have you ever actually had an MRI? if not,this really should be your next step before anything else gets done.this would just show possible problem areas.one big thing you need to know regarding EMG is that it will ONLY show actual nerve flow problems due to actual compression or some real damage to the nerves,not show why you are having the pain and other symptoms.this is all that type of test is really good for,showing actual real affected nerve flow in some form,and not much else.so don't place a whole lot of stock in just THAT test,K?i had horrid pain in my c spine from an 'affected/irritated' nerve but not actual compression,so i too was a bit shocked when my EMG came up normal with no nerve flow impairment.that test just doesn't show the reasons for our pain and symptoms,just one thing only.
i am also wondering why you asked about a spinal tap at this point?its a pretty extreme type of test to have before really ever actually knowing just what is causing your symptoms,thats all.an MRI would show much more than any spinal tap would.there are a few things a tap could show,but for an actual Dx of the reasons for your specific types of symptoms,more "structural" types of testing really should be done way before you go that route.there are just some pretty big risks with the tap that you don;t want to take on unless it is absolutely needed,thats all.there are much better ways of looking at your spine/nerves and cord than the tap.what type of specialist are you currently seeing for this?
all i am saying is to make certain you have that MRI done with contrast BEFORE going right to the spinal tap.you can have many different types of nerve involvement going on that can cause really incredible types of pain and symptoms without actual nerve impingement going on(and your EMG would still show 'normal"),trust me on that one.stenosis and herniations and bone spurs are just a few things that could actually cause the type of nerve pain and symptoms you are currently having.that MRI really IS needed before anything else just to see whats going on in that affected area.going right to a possible MS Dx without any proof of that is a bit extreme when your doc has not fully evaluated that problem area with certain scans yet.just get that contrasted MRI before you let anything else be done on you.this could hold the answers to your nerve issues.good luck and please keep me posted on how things are going,K?Marcia
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3-22-01,herniated C-6-7
11-20-01,placement of hardware for failed fusion
9-22-03,removal of cavernous hemangioma that was inside spinal cord. Neuro damage to L hand L leg and R leg.
I'm curently seeing a neuroligist / pain manager. Before I began seeing the neuroligist I was seeing an othopedic surgeon. When I began seeing the ortho doc it was because a bone lesion apeared on my x-ray of my right hip. After the lesion apeared the doc ordered an MRI of the lower spine and right leg. When the doc got my results he said the lesion was due to a bone cyst and that it was inactive so not to worry about it. However he did follow it up with a bone scan to verify that the structure of my body was fine. So after all those test came up normal I was sent to the neurologist. When I began seeing the neuro doc I was in bad shape but she put me on lidocane patches which seemed to help a lot. I actually thought I was on may way to recovery. Unfortanetly the pain came back and this time it got worse then before. We did the EMG test and that came back normal, so the doc then did a balance test and I guess I didnt do so well. Now the doc wants me to get an MRI of the brain and upper spine to see if there are lesions (looking to see if I have MS). Part of the MS test is a spine tap it is the best tool of seeing if I have MS. I must admitt that I'm a liitle nervous about possibly having MS but at the same time I just want to get better and in order to do so we need to know what we are treating. I didnt realize that spianal taps are dangerous so I guess I will insist on only getting the MRI's and then if the doc's abosolutely need the spine tap then I will think about it. Thank you for your advice and taking the time to give it to me. You have no idea how much it means to me. So from the bottom of my heart I thank you. I will keep you posted. Tests are scheduled for mid November.
yep,get the MRIs FIRST,then and only then after things have been looked at and evaluated would the tap really be needed for Dx.its not overly risky to do but it does have certain inhernet risks since this needle is being stuck into a very delicate and highly innervated area,you know what i mean?it isn't something i would do unless absolutely necesscaryJMO.good luck and please update me.Marcia
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3-22-01,herniated C-6-7
11-20-01,placement of hardware for failed fusion
9-22-03,removal of cavernous hemangioma that was inside spinal cord. Neuro damage to L hand L leg and R leg.
It does not mean that you don't have MS if the puncture comes out negative. It is just one of the tools. I have had several and no positives but hae had MS for 20 years.
