They didn't give me any but told me I couldn't drive. I was pretty woozy from the trauma...sort of like an LP. Just very tired. It felt like someone had been sitting on my back...someone heavy! Other than that, really no problem!

Tell him if I can get through it, he can. And I am a pain wuss....ask Gazelle!

:D

That was posted at 1:19am. How are you feeling this afternoon Cheryl? :hug:

cheryl, i'm glad you came thru it well.
i hope you con't to get relief. the relief may increase over the wks to come.
and you may get a bit of a steroid effect too.

no contrast, right?

I am doing better today. I got some sleep last night! YIPPEE!!! I can feel my fingers! And I can actually move my arm, a little bit, without pain!

I went to work today for a couple of hours, which was allowed, and was more than enough excitement for me! I came home and put some ice on the injection site as it is sore!

I still have some pain in my upper arm which the docs still don't know the cause. I have called my neuro to schedule it and they say APRIL! Ah...I don't think so.

I got the results of my Brain MRI today. Got Lesions? Yep. But they aren't glowing. And they aren't responsible for this problem in my arm. But I do have new ones.

The largest one is lying in the right parietal lobe and there are a few new and more intense 2-3 mm ones in the bifrontal FLAIR foci. It also says I still have MS. :rolleyes:

Sorry to hear about the new lesions. Are you considering any new treatment options? The MS specialist I saw yesterday told me that I still have MS. I guess they think that it might just disappear.

No contrast. He says that although he runs across many patients who "say" they have reactions to contrast dye, he sometimes uses it anyway b/c it isn't that much. I told him that is what almost cost me my life. I would appreciate it if he didn't use any b/c I am very sensitive.

He didn't use it.

Since I'd had the double GAD infiltration the day before, I think he felt sorry for he and wasn't going to take any chances!

He could see that I was really in a lot of pain and had these huge bruises on my arms from the IV problems the day before!

Anyway, I am feeling better, the pain is subsiding! YEAH! Now if they can only figure out what is causing the pain in my upper arm, I will be one happy camper!

:D

Just kills you doesn't it! :eek::rolleyes:

Not considering any new treatment. I've tried everything so far and nothing has worked. So, not sure where to go from here. I have an appt with my neuro sometime next month I think, I don't remember, but I guess we will discuss it then.

Been on Beta, Ty, Copaxone, and then the clinical trial, Tovaxin, so I guess I just have to figure out what's next on the agenda. I know I don't want to go back on an interferon. And had such a bad reaction to Copaxone so that's not an option. So...just wait and see at this point.

Thanks DM. Yeah you are right about the cortisone shot. The shots hurt. Bruised is right!!

Here's hoping we both have a better year! :hug:

Yep...those cortisone shots hurt worse than any bee sting, but man do they work or what? I hope they find the cause soon, and don't over do with that shoulder just because it feels better...wouldn't want to send you to your room.lol

The last shot I had they injected inbetween the shoulder joint and arm...big oweeee, but it relieved the pain almost immediately.

Take care and feel better soon...:hug:

Have they ever attempted to explain why it is that you get new lesions, but they are never enhanced when you have a MRI? :confused:

Cherie

I have had them enhance before. The second MRI I had when I was dx'd I had 3 lesions enhance. Neuro did an LP, confirmed the dx and confirmed the flair. I started IVSM and joined this exclusive club! :D

I am not having an exacerbation now.

Oh, ok. :confused: I thought you didn't normally get enhancing lesions, and that's why Tysabri wasn't recommended for you? :confused:

Cherie

Just that one time. Not since.

Just the one time you had enhancing lesions?

That's why I was asking if they've ever explained that to you, since you went through periods of relapses every 3 months, like me. If "inflammation"/enhancement is an indication of activity/relapses (or so they say, when evaluating our drug options), then why would we be having so many relapses without them showing on a MRI?

Then the non-enhancing (more permanent) ones show up suddenly . . . :confused:

You are an anomaly, so I find it interesting . . . ;) :)

If you are not in a relapse now, might that indicate that your sudden arm damage is not connected to MS then? (Unless you have a new non-enhancing lesion in that area of the brainstem/spinal cord . . . which it doesn't seem you do . . .?).

Cherie

Absolutely!

That's what we are looking for. But the new lesions are in the PAIN area. I still have the EMG yet to be done so until all the tests are in, I am not venturing a guess as to what the problem is. At this point, I am happy to have the pain at a point that is tolerable. :D And limited use of my right arm! Baby steps. ;)

Well, I suppose that if you continue to relapse, and even if that isn't apparent by your MRI's, Tysabri might still be an option for you. :confused:

You could try LDN too . . .

And of course there are a lot of new drugs in the pipeline, so hopefully one will be available soon. :hug:

Maybe this cortisone shot will be your ticket for your immediate problem. Sure hope so . . .

Cherie

I saw the ortho doc again today. Still in a lot of pain. I got some relief from the steroid injections (one in my neck last week and one in my shoulder on Dec 30th) but it ain't over yet.

I have an EMG scheduled for Thursday.

Ortho doc says I can probably have another steroid shot in my shoulder in two weeks.

Until we get the results of the EMG, not much else can be done til then.

He said if it doesn't show anything and the steroid shot doesn't help, then I am looking at some type of surgery. Great.

My neuro is concerned about the brain MRI. I picked up the scans on disk for her today and should have something back from her soon.

Why can't anything with me ever be simple?!? :(:confused:

You are special like Jim Cheryl. At least that's what his doctors say! lol

When Jim was having pain in his torso they did a MRI to see if a lesion was in that area. They didn't find anything so it was ruled out the "ms hug" by the neuro. It went away on it's own. I have to tell you that they also said if there were lesions in that area there was nothing they could do anyway. The MRI was just to confirm if a lesion was responsible.

Anyway, Jim has lesions in his brain but they are not lit up. That's awesome news to us. The neuro said they are lesions that are non-active. I hope yours are the same. From what I have always understood, developing lesions is not good but it's worse if they are lit up like a light bulb.

Lesions are not responsible for this pain. That we know. I love solving puzzles but I think this ortho doc is getting a little frustrated but I do like him.

The two different surgeries he mentioned don't sound like a walk in the park, tho. :(

Subacromial decompression surgery or biceps tenodesis

They both sound horrid! He did tell me to take the pain meds and stop pushing myself! Me??? Huh? Looking around the room thinking maybe there was someone else there! Nope.

I have started wearing the sling again so I won't use my arm...IT HURTS!!

I am getting ahead of myself. Must wait for EMG results.

So he must "think" he knows where the damage is if he is suggesting surgery ... ?? :confused: Any idea what caused it yet?

Cherie

Uh oh....:(:eek::hug:

Thinking about you, Princess without the Pea..:hug:

I'm saying prayers that you wont need surgery. They do sound pretty nasty! :hug:

i hate ortho stuff cheryl.
remember to get a 2nd opinion just for the heck of it, if you feel it may help.
good luck on your emg tomorrow.

Thanks Judy. I have 4 docs working on this! The Neurosurgeon is the best in this part of the country. I trust him. After the EMG tomorrow, he will have all the tests in and hopefully he can put all these pieces together and come up with a game plan.

I asked the ortho doc yesterday what he thought about cause. What could have precipitated this event. He said age, wear and tear, nothing, MS, hard to tell. There is definitely more than one thing going on. There is a pinched nerve at the C3/4 and possibly one lower, T5/6.

It's the upper arm that is causing so much pain right now and that's what's puzzling the docs.

I will let keep you all posted. This is just so weird..but typical me!

Do ya mean without the "P" Shappy :p

I could never be without YOU P Shappy! :hug:

Here's my story, and you know I'm no expert but I've been down a similar road.

My pain doc says there is no point in one steroid shot for nerve pain - so did my last pain doc. They are meant to be given in pairs. ESIs, Facet joints, and nerve blocks, all my current doc, would one, two weeks apart.

He did not flinch when I told him my first EMG - left hand - was normal, and my recent one - left arm and leg, were normal as well. He says that happens. Hard to detect a lot of stuff by EMG.

I only saw one neuro surgeon, who said pretty much the opposite - that shots were very little use - which I found to be so not true, they work wonders for me. And that EMGs pick up everything. Also not true, I'm certainly not imagining this pain and loss of use.

:rolleyes:

I'm not saying you are wrong to trust this dr, just consider the source. His tool is a hammer, your problem is a nail.

I have seen very few people *fixed* by surgery, especially where C spines are involved - go ask in the spinal forum. Please do attempt every other means of addressing this less invasively, and resort to surgery only as a last option.

And you know I'm saying this as a friend.

Thanks Cathy! :hug: The neurosurgeon is not the one who is recommending surgery. He is very conservative. I am waiting for the EMG which is today, and then HE will evaluate all the test results.

Trust me, surgery is going to be the LAST resort (if at all), not the first. The ortho doc (they're the ones who like to cut) is the one who is suggesting surgery. He's the new guy on the team. The neurosurgeon is the one I trust. He's the good guy. ;)

As for steroid shots...well, I will probably have another one in 2 weeks.

:D

this stinks. hang in there cheryl:hug::hug::hug:

I had the EMG done today, oh what fun! According to the neurologist that performed the test, it was normal. However, he says that's not unusual. Of course it's not! :eek:

They like to torture patients for the fun of it! And does this hurt? Oh sorry, I'll stick the pin here! Oh that hurts! I'll move it over here! Oh, sorry that hurts too! Geez, what do they think? Sticking a sharp pin in your deltoid muscle ISN'T GOING TO HURT! Here let me try!

http://tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:...sty%2Bnail.jpg

Yuck...I've never had one of those tests...and don't plan on it! Sorry it was icky. Are you still having any relief from the shots?

Just wanted to say - this thread has almost 2000 views to it! Wow! Everyone loves you!

~Keri

Hang in there FG! I know that you will make the best decision for you and the outcome will be just fine.

DBF has been suffering from a similar pain for about a month now. However, being a man, he won't go to the dr. :rolleyes: I'm pretty sure that he thinks it will magically disappear. :rolleyes::rolleyes:

Have you considered trying acupuncture? Years ago (2003) I got desperate, asked my PCP about it, and decided to try one recommended by my PCP. This particular guy was an MD, acupuncturist, as well as trained in manipulation therapy. For the 1st time in years (since 1997), I was totally out of pain and all those wonderful endorphins that were released were great. Even going in to this as a BIG skeptic, I found that it helped with the pain I was intermittently going through (I now know that it is the MS hug).

Of course, this was just my experience with it. Everyone is different. I did stop going as he really believed in spinal manipulation and it was causing me pain in my spine that wasn't there before. I talked to my PCP about it and he told me that because I have bone spurs in my spine, I should never have my spine manipulated.:eek:

I then went to physical therapy and started on Neurontin.

Again, hang in there Cheryl and know I have been keeping you in my prayers.:hug:

emg's are no fun I literally lifted off the table,

'oh did that one hurt?"

duh what was the first clue me landing back on the table with a ceiling tile in my possession

wish they had found a nerve blocked, sorry they didnt, I was leaning towards a pinched nerve, so now what?

Sorry about the pains still FG:hug:

:Funny-Post::ROTFLMAO::ROTFLMAO:

I think actually, it's good when it hurts. If it didn't hurt, then you would be in real trouble..huh?

:hug:

I think you are right Sally. Although I have never had an EMG done (was supposed to when I was 1st diagnosed but the neuro's secretary screwed up and never ordered the test). Any how, I do notice that when I go to the neuro's sometimes the intensity of the pricks are greater than other times. I also know that if they prick me on some areas of my rib cage, I don't feel anything at all and other areas are hypersensitive.

I imagine that if I was hooked up to an EMG the hypersensitivity and lack senstivity/feeling would show up though.

i'm glad it's over cheryl.
and i'm glad it's normal.
now maybe your dr can move on to the real problem which is looking orthopedic, isn't it? :(

Neurosurgeon ordered another MRI this morning. Brachial plexus.

Very painful. They had to tie my arm down against my side so I wouldn't move. I got through about half of it before I started screaming in pain. And of course, I moved. So they had to reposition my arm and start over! :eek:

Just about the time I was ready to cry "uncle" the MRI was over. :D

I don't think there is any part of my right side left to MRI, poke, prod, pinch, stick or hurt at this point. I have a bruise at the top of the deltoid muscle from the EMG yesterday, my hand hurts from the electrodes. Parts of my right arm that didn't hurt a month ago, hurt now.

This isn't fun anymore, not that it ever was. :(

I am about ready to start a pool to see what this is...and whether or not I am going to have surgery!

What do you all think?