Hey guys,

So I've been having a lot of back pain lately- like, really bad. I had a number of xrays done, and here are the results.

Cervical Kyphosis with reverse cervical lordosis

Minimal scoliosis

Degenerative disk changes at L5-S1

I went for a massage today, and she tried to realign my neck and massaged my chest muscles. My back hurts a lot right now, but I noticed that my hands feel different. They don't feel as stiff and constricted, with the tingling and temperature changes. Also, the edema that I have in my hands has gone down.

I'm pretty sure that the chest weakness I've had for many years now, but have learned to live with, have caused a lot of these problems. I'm feeling pretty hopeful, though, that massage and maybe a chiropractor will help a lot.

I know that Erin is having a lot of problems with her spine. Is anyone else here experiencing these types of problems? An interesting thing I read is that reverse cervical lordosis can reduce breathing capacity of the lungs by 30%. I've noticed since having my massage today that my speech seems to be better, and my breathing a bit less constricted. I honestly feel like there is a lot of nerve compression interfering with my mobility, as well as sense of touch and circulation.

I hope that you guys are all doing well. I hope to hear from you soon!

Nicky

All I can say is that I hope your neurologist will explain all of this to you!

Sure, problems in the back can affect nerves and that can affect where the nerves connect. The spine is like a highway system, with the nerves being the "roads." If you have a road block, you're bound to have troubles on the other end of it. Stupid metaphor but it's late and I'm tired.

Massage is both good and bad for me. It's very good for getting the "kinks" out of my muscles. But massage is like exercising the muscles and they can become temporarily weaker (due to the MG). The way my neuro described the back issues and MG is that maintenance is the key (with strength training, physical therapy, etc.). And making your core muscles as strong as possible. Since I've been doing that, I haven't found myself in that bad of shape. I massage those kinks out every single day and/or right away when they occur. Sooner is always better with pain management too.

I have a bad cervical spine area due to an accident. It can cause a variety of problems. The edema, however, I believe needs to be fully investigated with things like a chem panel (kidney/liver function), heart evaluation, etc. Edema has more to do with capillary permeability/shifting of fluids/albumin, etc.

I'm glad you've found some relief. I hope you can try to keep those core muscles in shape - it's such a struggle. It definitely helps.

Annie

Hi sweetheart!

What wonderful news! I am so glad to hear you are feeling better!

I've been thinking about a massage as well - when I was in the hosp, the nurses rubbed my feet every night in an attempt to reduce the swelling....did I mention how amazing the Methodist is?

I'm always pulling and praying for you!

You are such a sweetheart!

Love,
Erin

I agree about the edema...I definately think that there's something else going on. It tends to be worse in the morning and after standing for prolonged periods of time, so I was thinking that it might have to do with my overall posture.

I did go for some EMG testing on my hands, though. The neuro. stuck a needle in my forewarm, and had me bend my wrist so that my fingers pointed upward. He said that the nerve is not meeting the muscle, or barely is. He said that's very unusual for MG, and that he would send the report to my MG specialist. I haven't heard back. I also have a lot of tremors in that hand in my index and middle finger, with ocassional stiffness. It's making me very nervous. He said that the muscle is big, though. He also said that the nerve is normal, but they're just not meeting.

On another note, I completely agree with you about strengthening the core muscles. I'm planning on starting swimming. It's going to be really hard- my muscles are so not in shape- but i think it'll also help with aligning my spine and alleviating the pain. I figure I'm mainly in pain because my spine is carrying so much 'dead' weight.

Hey Erin,

Thanks for the kind words! that's great that you got the massage- the people there sound so nice! Have they figured out why the edema is so bad? It sucks, eh? I don't have it in my ankles so much as my hands. Just touching my fingers will leave a mild dent, it's so bad....The massage seriously helped, though...The sternotomy left me with a lot of stiffness, and my shoulders were forever painfully drooping forward. I'm trying my best to sit up straight, but every once in a while, I find myself leaning forward in that really bad position. Bad habits plus weakness!

I hope that you're feeling better soon, girl!
Nicky

What timing on this post. I saw my Neuro this week and he suggested that maybe my back/neck may be the actual root to my left side pain and swelling and suggested massage therapy. My insurance doesn't cover that so I will let it go {unless I get so bad I can't walk} So you may indeed be onto something here.

Joan...It's funny that you mention the one-sided weakness...I've been having this too lately...It's my left side...It feels like it sorta lags. It's very subtle, but I notice it. Like I notice it mainly with my ankle. I feel like I have to think more when I lift it, as if it'll drag if I don't. It's kinda scary. It's a bit worse in the morning, and sorta improves throughout the day.

I mentioned it to the massage therapist, and she said that it could be from the spinal issues. I really hope that it is!

P.S. I'm very glad to see you back on the threads. My heart goes out to you during this time.

Edit: Whoops...I realized that you said pain/swelling, not weakness. Do you have a bit of weakness on that side too?

Nicky

Yes, weakness as well and I too have to "think" when I start to walk or go to lift the leg. My husband and I joke and say my new favorite pastime is falling "up" the stairs, I do that when I go to step up with my left foot first. The bruises I have from the steps are pretty ugly at times, heck I even have bruises on top of my left foot {don't know how I did that} LOL