I know I should have asked my neuro this question this morning, but she got interrupted with an emergency call. In checking my ankle reflexes, she found an ankle reflex in my right ankle. I haven't had one in that area for over 3 years. Now is this good news or not? At the same time, I'm suffering miserable pain in my sitdown area and I can't turn my neck without it feeling as if it catches and it hurts. I also can't raise both arms at the same time. That hurts in my back. I noted yesterday that I didn't feel secure with transferring a hot cup of tea from my right to my left hand. I felt as if I would drop it. She has ordered a cervical and thoracic MRI because she says frankly she doesn't know what is going on. Because of all my stress fractures, she's worried about the new pain.

So, to make a long story short, is this new ankle reflex a good or bad thing.

Billye

The only time that ankle reflexes are bad is if they are: absent (indicating denervation), or brisk (indicating a central nervous system problem). So, if she found a normal reflex, that would be a good thing, possibly indicative of the recovery of a nerve or of a portion of some nerve fibers. Or, it might just be that she was lucky enough to find a few fibers that were functioning that hadn't been tapped in just that way before, in which case things might be just about the same. The future should tell what is the case. Boo. Who wants to wait. I am so sorry you are suffering so much. Sounds miserable. Feel better.

Some of you remember that I had bladder surgery in Dec. Well since then I've had pain in the right side of my bladder. I've seen the surgeon a cpl times and he's concerned. Well after hurting all weekend I saw the dr. today and he's now worried that the gizmo they put in to hold my bladder in place has punctured my bladder...or...a stitch from it is on the inside of the bladder wall. So I have to have a Cystoscope on Wed. (where he'll look inside my bladder with a scope to see if he can see the problem.) If he can fix the problem thru the scope he will. If not then I'll have to have another surgery
Also since I'm on the Prednisone right now for the lung issue I can't have the 3 hr gtt test and TRH test on Wed......now I have to reschedule after I'm off the steriods..... It's always something it seems!!

oops this was suppose to be a new thread......I messed up......sorry!!

this doesnt answer your question but relates to how tendon reflexes are rated


http://edinfo.med.nyu.edu/courseware.../reflexes.html

i hope both of you ladies get well soon

Very GOOD! That you've had no response and now do? That's super, beyond that. I know cause the same things' been happening to me, only a little, but I will take any reflex to no reflex! For me it was the opposite foot [my worst one].
Don't ask about it, just take it as a hopeful sign and keep it that way to help youget thru all the other things happening.
Those things might be related to the spine or not, who knows? Docs can only guess. That your doc is worried about new pain, means that doc is a treasure. So few really care [I've one who does, thank goodness!].

Joe, that site is one good 'keeper'! Good find!

Oh, Roxie! What can I say? Just be glad that it'll be over with soon and fast. That way you don't have as much time to fret about it.
Now, please no one, do this?: Not allowed! Promise? - j

I'm so sorry you are in so much pain. I've had bladder issues and can only imagine what you are going thru. Please keep us up to date on what is going on with you.

Billye

Hi Billye - so sorry you are contuing to be in so much pain.... hoping that the osthtics? (SP) are going to help you some.....

On reflexes - mine in my ankles have been gone since PN onset - and the elbows dissapeared too... however, elbows came back somewhat last year - the doctor said that was good and seemed surprised - dont know if it was IVIG alone or combo of trying to work with my hands more... I havent had IVIG in a while so I should have them checked before I start up again - but again, the doc seemed to think it was a good thing - and I hope for you too

Hi Billye, that reflex sounds like a real positive to me too, i hope its the start of many more positives to come and i hope they can sort out your other issues, real soon.
all the best,
Brian

I am sorry for all your issues.You have been through too much. Could you call your neuro and ask? It may help put your mind at ease.