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.

It's a long story due to the fact that the clinical trial was terminated.

No kidding about pain being draining.

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!

We want answers...we are begging for answers! I even tried a bribe!

How's the Hawaii kid?

Hi Cheryl,

The nerves that go down to the hand from the C-spine are the Median, Ulnar, and Radial. The median nerve is the one that causes the feeling of "carpal tunnel".



My hand always goes numb, and my arms get very weak & painful (spasticity??), whenever I am in a spinal lesion attack.

Here's more info, which will have to be copied into a word document to read because of the silly artwork that covers the words.

http://www.upstate.edu/cdb/grossanat/limbs2.shtml

I wonder though if yours is related to MS (spinal cord damage), because normally when my spinal lesions are acting up, I go numb from that point down . . . like when someone breaks their neck (only not complete paralysis, but same principle). That would be a severe attack anyway ....

I have had times when only my neck, back and arms hurt though too. It comes on like an attack, and leaves like one (2 - 12 weeks). . . so I believe this can occur with MS.

Cherie