As some of you know, I have been suffering from excruciating pain in my right arm, shoulder and hand since the first part of November. Thinking it was associated with the exacerbation I was experiencing, one would assume it would subside with the IVSM infusion I had over Thanksgiving. Well, it got worse.

The Wednesday after Thanksgiving, I finally gave in and went to the ER the pain was so bad. I had a full series x-ray of my right shoulder which showed nothing abnormal. ER doc referred me to an ortho specialist. He ordered an MRI of my shoulder. He said it also showed nothing abnormal.

Today, I saw the neurosurgeon. He says that there is definitely something on the spine MRI that I had on Nov 19th that is causing the lower arm/thumb/forefinger numbness and pain and possibly the neck and some of the upper shoulder pain. And he's going to take a closer look at the shoulder MRI, as he's not convinced it's normal. Something's got to be causing all this pain and lack of movement

He was also concerned about the increase in symptoms after I had the IVSM.

He is wondering if I might have a new lesion on the Thalamus causing the pain.

More testing is in order.

Brain MRI, EMG (I hate that!) and a cortisone shot in my neck to relieve some of the pain that the known pinched nerve at the C3/4 is causing.

So, I am still wearing this sling on my right arm and no idea when all these tests will be accomplished. I am so tired of all this pain. I told the doc today, I don't think I have ever been in this much pain even when I broke my ankle.

Guess I have some homework to do. Since my brain MRIs have been sealed for the last year or so due to the clinical trial, my neuro and I have no idea what has been happening. So, a new one is in order to see what's been going on. The last one I had was 2006, other than in the trial.

Merry Christmas everyone.

My lil flygurl...sending you and hoping that you get some relief so you can enjoy the Holiday.

I hope you get answers soon, have they considered adhesive carpulitis?

Sealed as in you can NEVER see them?
I hope your doc's successfull in figuring out what's going on. Constant pain justs drains everything out of you.

Well, that just sucks big time bilge water.

And I TOLD you that there was something going on with the MRI!! HA!!


Seeing a neurosurgeon's a good thing, FG. Hang your hat on it.

I like this neurosurgeon. He's excellent. I trust him as much as I do my neurologist.

I just WANT the PAIN to go away...

I hope they fix it soon Cheryl, and an easy fix at that... I'm sorry you have so much pain.

Sounds awful! Pain is no fun! We need answers!

Yeah....who's going to help you with all those salty margaritas on vacation? Oh oh ... you can wait on me!

Neurosurgeon mentioned a pain management specialist today as one of the options. I am up for anything at this point...well, almost....

i missed the in between posts--i have been in sick pain for two years non stop--not even one day relief---

i pray you get an answer--maybe that will also help me help my docs

Ok you two...get your bee-hinds out here. I've got to be in SLC on the 31st for a wedding. I am the bride's godmother and I am also the FLORIST for the wedding. I could use all the help I can get. Flowers arrive here on the 29th and I have 4 bouquets to do, 5 corsages, 2 table centerpieces, and I lost count on the bouts for all the men! And then we drive to SLC on the 31st! At least the road is open! LOL!

Want buddy passes to fly out on Delta? We have places to stay! I would love it!!! And there will be tons of food and we can teach these people how to play liquorama!! They would love it!!

Flying standby is tons of fun! As long as you have the time, the price is right! Not quite free but pretty reasonable!!

All kidding aside, it would be fun and trust me I would love the company and the help and you would be most welcome!

As for the pain, who knows. I have another appt with the ortho doc on the 30th and maybe, just maybe I can talk him into a cortisone shot to help relieve some of the pain. At this point, I don't care if it's approved by TriCare or not! This just blows as Gazzie put it so eloquently in an earlier post.

Pete, I have dealt with pain before but nothing like this. I am not usually a complainer and deal with pain but not like this. When you know what it is, that's one thing, but when all the docs are baffled, that scares me. The neurosurgeon was my lifesaver and he's out her bobbling around with me looking for answers. I hate this. He's the guy who dx'd me with MS after I got tossed around from one doc to another after being numb from the waist down for 3 weeks. He solved the puzzle that no one else could. I guess I was expecting too much - I expected to waltz into his office and he would wave his magic wand and tell me what was wrong and fix it. Maybe that will still happen, there are still a couple of tests yet to be done. I'm just too impatient! But then again, maybe not. I've been putting up with this since the beginning of November.

I am sorry you've been in such a state for so long. I guess maybe I am learning to deal with something new with MS or just something new. Who knows at this point. In the grand scheme of things, I've been lucky (?) my exacerbations have been frequent, but I've always bounced back. As my neuro puts it, I am either 100% or zero. Right now, I am neither. Just cranky. And it being the holidays and no one working makes it even more difficult to get answers.

And to top it off, the person who works in my ortho docs office seems to think that patient care is not part of her job description! And as you all know, that does NOT sit well with me. I have written one letter of complaint to the doc, called him once, and it ain't over yet. We shall see what happens when I go in for my appt on Tuesday. I feel like I am The neurosurgeon's office had problems obtaining my records from her and they are not happy. I had to get them for him and luckily I have a good rapport with the hospital that did all the MRIs and X-rays. Why don't people just do their jobs?

Enough!

I am ready for a break! It's snowing today. Supposed to get another 4-5 inches! It's beautiful!

When I figure this out Pete, I will certainly let you know! Take care and let's see what we can figure out!