My sister, who has 6 lesions in her brain, got back the results of her spinal MRI last week. Turns out she has between 2 and 4 cervical discs pressing on her spinal nerves! I find it almost too hard to believe that the two things are independent and unrelated, considering that if both were to occur naturally and for "non pathologic" reasons, the most likely cause of either (or both) would be "old age", and she's not even 40 yet. Soooo, I was wondering if there was any MS-related reason why discs could be pressing on her nerves. Inflammation? Degeneration? The info from her doctors has been filtered through her, so is not very complete. All I know is that the neurologist, after seeing the very significant squishing of her spinal nerves, said that consideration of an MS diagnosis would be put off while they dealt with the cervical disc problem, which was an imminent danger. However, the neuro said based on the pressure as seen in the MRI, it was *her* opinion that it did not explain all of sister's symptoms (lack of feeling in limbs, loss of balance, lower body weakness, etc.). My sister then saw the neurosurgeon who said they needed to operate right away and that the damage was already permanent and that she'd need OT afterwards. He didn't address the MS possibility at all, and why should he, since she wasn't there about the brain lesions.

My mom is reading the info from my sister as saying that the problem is "only" the cervical discs, which will be fixed by surgery on Monday (very quick response and turnaround by the neuro profession!!!); I'm reading it as saying that they are addressing one problem and will go back and revisit the topic of brain lesions later, but that it by no means indicates that the brain lesions are innocent.

And I can't help worrying that the cervical disc problem may have been caused by MS, since I have a hard time believing that she would have two statistically rare neurological problems at the same time.

Thoughts? Thank you! (I asked her how the neuro thought the cervical disc problem happened, and sister was-justifiably-irritated with me, and said no. As if she doesn't have enough to worry about.....I shut up and came here! She has done nothing to injure her neck.....)