[HardDriveUSA]

I'm still trying to figure this out. I had the electric "shock" test yesterday, I do not have carpal tunnel (whew), but the Dr wouldn't say it WAS MS. My problems with my hands/wrist area come and go, which doesn't really help dx much.

It happens to both hands, so my theory is there is a lesion in my spine. That doesn't explain the coming and going of the numbness though. Oh ya, I don't feel tempture properly sometimes either. Washing hands in hot water sometimes takes me a minute to "feel" the heat in my hands, even though the water is steaming and others are saying how hot the water is. (it's the bathrooms at work, one temp water at the sink)

I'm at a loss right now, any ideas/input? Could I have a new lesion forming?

my arms felt like rubber the other day, even though I could still use them. It felt a bit odd

[MSacorn]

Hi HardDrive
Welcome to the group. It sounds like you might be in limbo land, and I'm sorry to hear that.

About your sx, I have the most problems with my hands and can relate to all you are describing, and more. The majority of my leisons are in my cervical spine.

I can aggrivate them by simply being on the computer too long. Keeping my head in a set position, such as riding in a car, even sleeping too long. Whether there's new ones or old ones flaring I don't know.

I want you to know you are not alone. And I hope you will have an answer soon.

[HardDriveUSA]

Sorry, I didn't ask the right question then. I was offically dx in 9/07 taking Copaxone. I'm still new to MS, my hands were not involved in the major flare that put me in the hospital. I have been having isues with my hands for some time though. I work on an assembly line so CTS would be very possible.

So it is possible for the symptons to fade in and out like that? Another thought I had was if I am not feeling pain like I should, could I cause damage that wouldnt happen if I could feel the pain?

My Dr might be trying to decide if there is something else going on? I think he is hesitant to let it just be called MS related without crossing out other possabilities first.

Last comment, I bought one of those wraps you soak in cold water then use to help keep cool. I started to use it and noticed my arms/hands felt better while it was around my neck. Have used it a few days now. It doesnt seem possible for that to happen, but it is. Thats one reason I think it is in my spine where the problem is.

Originally Posted by MSacorn

Hi HardDrive

About your sx, I have the most problems with my hands and can relate to all you are describing, and more. The majority of my leisons are in my cervical spine.

I can aggrivate them by simply being on the computer too long. Keeping my head in a set position, such as riding in a car, even sleeping too long. Whether there's new ones or old ones flaring I don't know.

[MSacorn]

It's me again. I also find cold helps my hands. It seems to distract the nerves and gives them something else to focus on. I run them under super cold water, or hold an ice pack for several minutes, when using for a while, like dart tournaments. It almost burns it is so cold. It seems to be the distraction I need for a bit.

If you are putting cold on your neck for relief. It may be your body temp is a bit high, while working, and cooling that area, cools the blood that is circulating the body.

If your doc is not satisfied and you are not either, good luck with more testing.

[Koala77]

Originally Posted by HardDriveUSA

So it is possible for the symptons to fade in and out like that?

Unfortunately with MS, anything is possible. Each of us are different in the way our symptoms arise, and what sets them off etc. Maybe what you're experiencing here is a pseudo-exacerbation affecting your hands.

To clarify this: according to the neuro an exacerbation is the presentation of new symptoms to a new area that was never before experienced (this indicates scarring in a new area of the brain or spinal cord).

A pseudo-exacerbation is a worsening or re-appearance of existing symptoms.

Everything else can be expected in a sense because... if you look at it... the nerve to your leg may be inflamed... scarred etc.. a symptom in the foot today... knee next week and upper thigh a month from now are probably all the same nerve bundles... now... if you eyes went, then that's an exacerbation as it is totally new area, never experienced before.

The inflammation to one area can swell, expand then recede...thats part of the process.

I hope I haven't confused you any more, but I was wondering if maybe this wasn't relevant in your present circumstances.

[HardDriveUSA]

That really does fit what's going on. I'm ready to say my wrist/hand issues are MS related now.

Originally Posted by Koala77

Unfortunately with MS, anything is possible. Each of us are different in the way our symptoms arise, and what sets them off etc. Maybe what you're experiencing here is a pseudo-exacerbation affecting your hands.

To clarify this: according to the neuro an exacerbation is the presentation of new symptoms to a new area that was never before experienced (this indicates scarring in a new area of the brain or spinal cord).

A pseudo-exacerbation is a worsening or re-appearance of existing symptoms.

Everything else can be expected in a sense because... if you look at it... the nerve to your leg may be inflamed... scarred etc.. a symptom in the foot today... knee next week and upper thigh a month from now are probably all the same nerve bundles... now... if you eyes went, then that's an exacerbation as it is totally new area, never experienced before.

The inflammation to one area can swell, expand then recede...thats part of the process.

I hope I haven't confused you any more, but I was wondering if maybe this wasn't relevant in your present circumstances.

[lady_express_44]

Koala is correct with her explanation, at least as we know it.

In the last 5 yrs, I have had that numbness you refer to, but I also had Carpel Tunnel when I was pregnant 13 & 16 yrs ago. Carpel Tunnel only effects certain fingers (and sometimes the arms), so your doc should be able to nail that down quite quickly. We've talked about this previously in the following threads:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...=carpal+tunnel

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...=carpal+tunnel

Cherie

[lady_express_44]

I think Koala's explanation of an attack vx. pseudo attack was clear and simple, but I wanted to add a more technical description, according to what I've gathered from various sources:

Originally Posted by lady_express_44

The definition for an attack is:

“To be a true exacerbation, the attack must last at least 24 (to 48) hours and be separated from the previous attack by at least 30 days. Most exacerbations last from a few days to several weeks or even months.”

“Exacerbations are caused by inflammation in the central nervous system. The inflammatory damages the myelin, which slows or disrupts the transmission of nerve impulses and causes the symptoms of MS.”

http://www.nationalmssociety.org/abo...ons/index.aspx

Another guideline with respect to attacks includes:

“Relapses generally consist of three phases. There is a period of worsening, with onset of new deficits or increasing severity of old deficits. This is followed by a period of stability, with no change in deficits. The final phase is the period of recovery, with variable degrees of improvement in deficits. Most patients recover within six weeks, although for some, improvements can continue over months. Recovery can be complete return to baseline status, partial return, or no improvement.”

http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=10031&page=17

“An exacerbation may be mild or may significantly interfere with the individual's daily life. Exacerbations usually last from several days to several weeks, although they may extend into months.”

http://multiplesclerosis.blogharbor....4/3478125.html

Pseudo exacerbations also have a definition and guidelines. A simple definition would be:

“A temporary aggravation of disease symptoms, resulting from an elevation in body temperature or other stressor (ex. an infection, fatigue, heat, or constipation), that disappears once the stressor is removed. A pseudo-exacerbation involves only pre-existing symptoms (flare-up), rather than new disease activity or progression.”

http://www.thjuland.net/gloss1-p.htm...o-Exacerbation

“While the symptoms are real enough, they are temporary and subside when the triggering event, such as heat, has passed."

Once the triggering event is past—e.g., the body temperature returns to normal, the symptoms subside as well.

http://multiplesclerosis.blogharbor....4/3478125.html

So, most pseudo exacerbations are very short-lived, occur as a result of a trigger, and normally clear up very shortly after the trigger is removed. The exception to this rule is if it is a result of some sort of infection. What a doc would normally do though, when we are experiencing “new . . . or worsening of existing symptoms, lasting longer then 24 hrs”, is to try to determine if we have some sort of infection. If that is the cause, it is called a pseudo exacerbation (not a new neurological event), and we would be treated with antibiotics. If it is not a pseudo exacerbation, then it is defined as an attack.

Cherie

NOTE: untreated infections can lead to a real exacerbation for some of us.

[braingonebad]

Maybe ask the neuro for a C spine MRI, just to be sure? I'd want to see if anything was going to show up.