advertisement
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 05-19-2008, 09:54 PM #1
Shashi's Avatar
Shashi Shashi is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Knoxville, TN
Posts: 53
15 yr Member
Shashi Shashi is offline
Junior Member
Shashi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Knoxville, TN
Posts: 53
15 yr Member
Default Have you ever heard...

of a neurologist who doesn't check Babinski reflexes?

I've been seeing an MS specialist (I'm undiagnosed) since Oct. 2006. In all of that time, she's only checked my Babinski reflexes one time. Her NP has never checked my Babinski reflexes. This reflex hasn't been checked in over a year, though my other reflexes have (and those have been abnormal too.)

Since I am undiagnosed, wouldn't it stand to reason that this would be important to the diagnostic procedure? When all of my weird symptoms started in May of 2006, the first neurologist (and the one I saw between that one and the MS specialist) checked my Babinski reflex and it was present in my right foot. A rheumatologist I saw over a year ago checked it too and again, it was present.

During my first appointment with the MS specialist, she did check, and it was present again in my left foot. However, she "lost" the dictation from my exam and had to recreate it, and in the record it states that I pulled my foot away when she tried to check my Babinski reflex (I did not.)

I'm guess I'm confused about this. Is the presence or absence of this reflex just not that important in diagnosing neurological problems?
__________________
Hugs,


.


I just doubled the value of my SUV! I filled the tank up with gasoline.
.


(That used to be an insult to the vehicle. Now it's a sad commentary on the price of gasoline!)
Shashi is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote

advertisement
Old 05-19-2008, 10:06 PM #2
tovaxin_lab_rat's Avatar
tovaxin_lab_rat tovaxin_lab_rat is offline
Elder
 
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 7,009
15 yr Member
tovaxin_lab_rat tovaxin_lab_rat is offline
Elder
tovaxin_lab_rat's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 7,009
15 yr Member
Default

Mine very rarely checks.

In fact, I think she checked on initial exam and that's it. You might want to do some research on it Lisa.

I thought you were told you didn't have MS. Am I mistaken?
__________________
Cheryl
Dx: MS 2001 CRPS 2009




“When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.” - Henry Ford
tovaxin_lab_rat is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 05-19-2008, 10:12 PM #3
Koala77's Avatar
Koala77 Koala77 is offline
Legendary
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Australia
Posts: 12,030
15 yr Member
Koala77 Koala77 is offline
Legendary
Koala77's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Australia
Posts: 12,030
15 yr Member
Default

I had them checked, and they were positive, when I was first diagnosed back in 1977.

None of the neuros I've seen since then have checked.

You have to remember that clinical signs were the only way that one could get a diagnosis of any kind in those days, and there have been so many developements since I was diagnosed way back then. MRI's had not been invented, and CSF testing had not reached the excellence that it has now.

These days such basic tests have been superceded I guess, with the myriad of tests provided by advancement in technology.

I may of course be wrong, but my thinking sounds pretty logical to me.
__________________
Eastern Australian Daylight Savings Time
and
my temperature


.

Koala77 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 05-19-2008, 10:14 PM #4
Shashi's Avatar
Shashi Shashi is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Knoxville, TN
Posts: 53
15 yr Member
Shashi Shashi is offline
Junior Member
Shashi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Knoxville, TN
Posts: 53
15 yr Member
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Av8rgirl View Post
I thought you were told you didn't have MS. Am I mistaken?
Hi Cheryl,

Even though my MRIs are still normal, both the MS specialist and my PCP strongly feel that I do have MS, especially since this last flare which has necessitated walking with a cane because of weakness and spasticity in my legs. They think it's just a matter of time until lesions show up. I guess we'll see.

Hugs,

Lisa
__________________
Hugs,


.


I just doubled the value of my SUV! I filled the tank up with gasoline.
.


(That used to be an insult to the vehicle. Now it's a sad commentary on the price of gasoline!)
Shashi is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 05-19-2008, 10:25 PM #5
tovaxin_lab_rat's Avatar
tovaxin_lab_rat tovaxin_lab_rat is offline
Elder
 
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 7,009
15 yr Member
tovaxin_lab_rat tovaxin_lab_rat is offline
Elder
tovaxin_lab_rat's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 7,009
15 yr Member
Default

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/e...cle/003294.htm
__________________
Cheryl
Dx: MS 2001 CRPS 2009




“When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.” - Henry Ford
tovaxin_lab_rat is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
"Thanks for this!" says:
Koala77 (05-19-2008)
Old 05-19-2008, 11:09 PM #6
suzyqz_2007's Avatar
suzyqz_2007 suzyqz_2007 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 643
15 yr Member
suzyqz_2007 suzyqz_2007 is offline
Member
suzyqz_2007's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 643
15 yr Member
Default

My neuro checked both my feet and it showed positive in my right foot. Ya know, I've often wondered, for as long as I can remember I've never stood flat footed....my big toe on both feet will flex upwards...could there be a connection? (Everyone teases me about it...calling me turtle toes cause they look like big turtle heads sticking up lol)
__________________

.


Dx'd RRMS July 2007


suzyqz_2007 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 05-20-2008, 07:56 AM #7
Shashi's Avatar
Shashi Shashi is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Knoxville, TN
Posts: 53
15 yr Member
Shashi Shashi is offline
Junior Member
Shashi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Knoxville, TN
Posts: 53
15 yr Member
Default

Thanks for the link, Cheryl.

I actually understand the Babinski reflex and what it indicates. I'm just rather baffled as to why my doctor doesn't check it during a neuro exam.

Thanks again and hugs,

Lisa
__________________
Hugs,


.


I just doubled the value of my SUV! I filled the tank up with gasoline.
.


(That used to be an insult to the vehicle. Now it's a sad commentary on the price of gasoline!)
Shashi is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 05-20-2008, 08:54 AM #8
FinLady's Avatar
FinLady FinLady is offline
Grand Magnate
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Raised NY, Live OH
Posts: 3,060
15 yr Member
FinLady FinLady is offline
Grand Magnate
FinLady's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Raised NY, Live OH
Posts: 3,060
15 yr Member
Default

Both my feet check positive for that, so I'm guessing that's the reason my neuro stopped making it a part of my exam.

It's one of those strange tests that looking back, I've always had an issue with at least one of my feet being positive. Especially since my "unknown isolated neurological event" way back when I was 17.

Gotta love docs.
__________________
Strength comes in all types of packages, even those you don't expect

Dx'd MS 2007, Fibro 2009
FinLady is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 05-20-2008, 09:06 AM #9
beautytransforming's Avatar
beautytransforming beautytransforming is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Gulf Coast, Mississippi
Posts: 194
15 yr Member
beautytransforming beautytransforming is offline
Member
beautytransforming's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Gulf Coast, Mississippi
Posts: 194
15 yr Member
Default

My neuro who made the dx never checked it. The specialist did check it at our appt (but it was our only appt and only for a second opinion). My original neuro also did not need to do EVP, but the specialist did.

Each has their own protocol. In the scheme of MS, babinski does not say yes or no, and does not really fit into the criteria of diagnosis at all, because there are som many things that can cause it. Yes, others as well, but when you put the big diagnostics in line, they show yes or no (mri, LP, EVP, clinical criteria, and such). I am thinking babinski doesn't play much in diagnostics, and that is what they are worrying about right now.

Connie
__________________
Diagnosed with MS 4/3/2008
.

Had onset attack in 4/2000
.

Can stop blaming myself for symptoms now.
.


Visit me on
.
.
beautytransforming is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 05-20-2008, 09:12 AM #10
lady_express_44's Avatar
lady_express_44 lady_express_44 is offline
Grand Magnate
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 3,300
15 yr Member
lady_express_44 lady_express_44 is offline
Grand Magnate
lady_express_44's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 3,300
15 yr Member
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Shashi View Post
Is the presence or absence of this reflex just not that important in diagnosing neurological problems?

No.

It may be an indicator of a problem, but it is not terribly relevant in the dx procedure for MS. What is important is a combination of factors, most importantly the MRI and LP results.

I only visit my neuro on an annual basis, and depending on what I wrote on my "update of new and/or improved symptoms", she checks accordingly. Sometimes that includes Babinski, and sometimes it doesn't.

Cherie
__________________
I am not a Neurologist, Physician, Nurse, or Hairdresser ... but I have learned that it is not such a great idea to give oneself a haircut after three margaritas
.
lady_express_44 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Anybody heard of this one. razzle51 Vitamins, Nutrients, Herbs and Supplements 3 07-14-2007 12:08 PM
has anyone heard of this? sue k Chronic Pain 3 06-13-2007 09:18 PM
Has Anyone Heard of this? buckwheat Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD and CRPS) 11 05-15-2007 06:39 AM
has anyone ever heard of this???? Wittesea Pets & Wildlife 17 01-18-2007 01:05 PM
Heard From NS #5 suecr Hydrocephalus 10 10-10-2006 01:53 PM


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:12 AM.

Powered by vBulletin • Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.

vBulletin Optimisation provided by vB Optimise v2.7.1 (Lite) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
 

NeuroTalk Forums

Helping support those with neurological and related conditions.

 

The material on this site is for informational purposes only,
and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment
provided by a qualified health care provider.


Always consult your doctor before trying anything you read here.