Hi Im new to this and Im not even sure how to talk or ask questions...it seems like a really nice community ...i also just need to understand some basic information...could anyone tell me if lhermittes sign mean you have MS or if i should check somewhere else? if someone wouldnt mind explaining how all of this works - the website - and also maybe some facts?

Ellie - Welcome to NT! There are lots of great people on this site. Feel free to ask any question. There is a section for Multiple Sclerosis and a subsection for The Stumble Inn. I will ask the moderators to move your post over to the Multiple Sclerosis part as you will probably get more responses there than here in the Stumble Inn. The Stumble Inn is our "fun" section or just sharing things about our lives and things like that.

Lhermitte's sign can be present in other conditions as well not just MS. It occurs where there is a disease or injury in the cervical spinal cord. However, I have heard of people with a vitamin B-12 deficiency having Lhermitte's sign.
Have you been diagnosed with MS or are you in the process of getting diagnosed? And what type of facts are you looking for? We all are here to support you and help you so ask away.

Welcome Ellie, nice to meet you.

Yes L'hermtte's can be a sign of MS and other diseases as well. Do you have MS?

L'hermittes was one of my first sx's. When I met with MS doctor at Mayo for the first time many years ago, he asked if I had had the buzzing in my hands or legs or spine. I had not put it on my initial paperwork. In fact, I had forgotten about it since I had had a doctor work-up way back when and was misdiagnosed as having a bulging disk which supposedly was causing the sx (10+years ago).

MS Doc said it was a classic sx of MS.

This is ellielgould introduction thread:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread183236.html


ellielgould,

The reason it was suggested you ask about L'Hermittes Sign on the MS forum is because L'Hermittes can be a common symptom for us due to the damage this disease can do to the Central Nervous System (CNS) which includes the brain, optic nerves and spinal cord.

As has been mentioned, any damage to the Cervical spine (neck) can cause L'hermittes as in the case of your friend.

L'Hermittes can cause abnormal sensations each time the person bends their head down. To actually stop L'Hermittes would require the person to wear a neck brace to stop them from bending their head...not a practical option in most cases.

What can be treated, sometimes, is pain that might be associated with L'Hermittes...with medication to help with pain. Other than that one usually needs to learn to live with L'Hermittes

Snoopy - Thanks for posting that link. That was very helpful.

Ellie - I am terribly sorry to hear about your friend. How scary for both of you. He is very lucky to have you in his life. After reading your thread in the introductions, I now understand why he would have Lhermitte's sign. I'm not sure how long ago the accident/surgery took place. He really needs to contact the surgeon who performed the surgery as well as his neurologist. Scar tissue may be developing or there is some sort of postop swelling occurring or it could be from something else. I hope this is more helpful to you than my previous response. Saying some healing prayers for your friend.