This is great news, I think, Julie. I give you full credit for not giving up on finding the source of your problems too . . .

My sister had back issues as well, and eventually required emergency surgery. After that, she experienced a series of symptoms like MS, and of course they were leaning towards that "option" because of my dx. Eventually they ALSO (besides what she got surgery for) dx her with Fb and Syringomyelia, which is an alternate spinal disease.

I don't know if MRI's would pick up on this new dx you have, but I guess I am somewhat surprised that it didn't when the neuro was checking for spinal issues. Perhaps it requires a CT scan instead of a MRI . . . but I would definitely be asking my doctor or neuro about this "miss".

I agree with everyone else that you should get a 2nd opinion. Chiropractors can be good/bad and everything in between . . . and one opinion (whether that be chiro's or neuro's) would not be satisfactory for me.

Good luck. I pray this is your answer, and nothing more serious.

Cherie

Sorry you are going through such a tough decision but at least its NOT anxiety..hey?

The kind of chiros that manipulate the vertebrae (crunching kind) I personally would not go to...BUT.. the ones who do B.E.S.T technique which uses a finger at dfferent pressure points over the nerve bundles. They RELIEVE the pinched up nerves so that the electrical energy from the brain can pass through and correct sublaxations. Eventually your own body will MOVE itself into the best place it possible can.

Now thats MY version of how BEST tx saved my life and career after 20 years of being a mess. Chiro's have MORE training as they specialize in the spine and nerves. A "GOOD" one will be very very careful and NOT even promote their txs if you have nerve damage. OFten they CAN make you more mobile and get the muscles to stop spasms. BUT it takes a lot of treatments and YOU doing your part in not cancelling their treatment by returning to bad mattresses, poor posture, eating poorly, not reducing stressors. ITs a partnership for sure.

My chiro saved me, got me mobile after 20 years of problems. AND he'll say he's reached his limit or cannot help a person, therefore referring to other specialists. By the time my MIL went it was already "too late" as she had nerve damage, so she ended up having surgery after all.

Good luck in finding help, we love you and want you to find the best help out there.

Jan

Julie I too have mild scoliosis....

please do get a MD to check this out....

and hopefully it is something you can fix with PT! And not carry little ones on your hip!!

Good Luck!

Julie,

I'm happy you're not looking at MS (we think?). And that the problems can be managed. I agree, a second opinion with a medical doctor is warranted, although it might be determined that the chiropractor can manage the problem.

Take some time to get used to the idea of the new diagnosis.

Any dx is a slap and takes time to adjust to. Don't be so hard on yourself.

This was a complete surprise, and of course it threw you off.

I was freaked too when I was dx'd -

C spine -Reversed curve, degenerative disc disease, bulged discs, spinal cord compression, osteophite (bone spur), osteo arthritis, etc.

T spine - cyrinx, T 5-T8

Within a week.

I didn't know how I was supposed to live with the pain. how I was supposed to live with not doing so much with my hands. How to deal with the progression (sm is progressive). I was p****** off.

None of my docs even knew what the heck sm was.

The thing is, don't rush into anything you can't back out of (no pun intended, seriously). You can take a med, and stop if it doesn't work. You can drop out of PT. Or quit getting massages. Surgery you cannot undo. Do that only as a last resrot, because no matter how bad you think you feel, it could be worse. I know that now.

I'm lucky I had people talk like that to me when I first got dx'd.

Do vent as needed. DO ask for help - 7 kids? You should be getting help regardless. Do see every doc you can - PT, pain clinic, they all have ways to help.

Good luck, woman. Anything you think I can help with, you ask, I'll see what I can do, okay?

First of all, I want to say "Hi Julie"! I haven't been around for some time so never had the opportunity before. And I'm REALLY glad you don't seem to have MS, at least for the present time. I too have fibromyalgia, along with the MS, and have to give you lots of credit for dealing with seven little ones at the same time!!!! God Bless You!

You've received some good advice here and I agree a second opinion is in order. Your spine is nothing to fool around with. Even though lots of people have had great success with a chiro, when I was first diagnosed with MS 18 years ago, I was advised NEVER to use chiros as they can do more damage than good. To each his own of course. Are you sure the fibro isn't causing some of your pain and numbness? It can be as debilitating as the MS. Anyway, I hope you're feeling somewhat better and will keep going until you feel satisfied with your diagnosis.
Take care......

I agree. No crunchy chiropractors! The one I went to after my car accident was a cruncher. Some of it wasnt bad, but I hated it whenever he wanted to "adjust" my neck. First time he did that, there was no warning, he just grabbed my head, and pulled and did whatever he did to "adjust" my neck. It was after that I started having pain in my neck. Probably because when he didnt warn me what he was doing, I probably tensed up and ended up getting something damaged.

Kind of makes me wonder sometimes if the lesion at C4 is a result of some sort of damage from the chiro and not an actual MS lesion. I dont know if that's possible tho.

i'm glad too, that it's not MS.
but you're trading problems for sure.

while you're at the chiro's grab your x-rays.
you paid for them, they're yours.

the other drs you see may want to view them.

Julie I'm so very pleased that you're starting to get some answers. The second opinion sounds like a good idea and may open some treatment avenues you didn't know existed.

You can be very proud of yourself for never giving up, and your strength should be a message of support to others in limbo - to keep the faith and believe in yourself at all times.

I'm sorry to hear of your DX, but I am very happy you do not have MS. I did a fast google and it looks like you may have several good options on treatment. From what I read you are DX off an X-ray and exam. It seems there of dif. kinds of this also. I assume he did not tell you what kind you have. 1st get a 2nd opinion from a good spine Dr and go from there. PT, a brace, and an operation all seem to be possible options. You have a lot more hope then you think.
Ok- I'm going to say it - I'm sorry it was not panic/anxity. I'm massive panic and anxity as you can prob tell from some posts. A few pills a day would have tken care of that.
Don't worry about the shock and other emotional things you are feeling. It's been almost 2 mos since my DX and I am no where near were my mind should be. It does take time.

Take Care ~Sheena~