Do I have a spinal lesion?
 

This morning I had a tight band across my back, right at the braline, and one of those cramps in my esophagus. I'm beginning to believe that I've got a lesion at the brastrap in the back - it's numb from that point down.

Those of you who have lesions in the spine, what symptoms does that cause?

Hi Jen,

As you probably know I have mostly spinal lesions. The majority of my symptoms are from the waist down with my legs being the biggest issue through the years.

I am wondering if you might be experiencing "the hug" or spasms.

Numbness is a sensory symptom. With my first exacerbation I was numb from the waist down.

I'm not sure I really answered your question :o

OH, YUCK! I hate that. I truly am not sure of the answer to your question.

I have had a similar experience with the cramping along the bra line. In fact, I have it most of the time. It is a daily thing for me. But I do have lesions in my spine.

It won't hurt to give your neuro a call about this. There may be something going on.

:winky: I'm not sure anybody can answer it for sure... not without an MRI! One of my first symptoms was numbness in multiple areas - numbness on the right side, especially. I thought that was brain-related, but it's odd that the numbness starts exactly at the bra line on my right side, and tapers off at the lumbar region. My legs act up on me too, especially my right one.

I've got another appointment with my neuro in May, so I've decided to put up with most of this. All he does when I tell him about symptoms is go 'Hmm' and rap me in various locations with a rubber hammer. If this spasticity thing keeps going, though, I might have to get something for it.

Even an MRI won't tell all. I just had this discussion with my neuro the other day. Lesions on the spine are difficult to detect. This was only my 3rd visit to this neurologists office and I see his NP. She's wonderful. I was asking her about lesion sites and was telling her that I know I have lesions in my spine based on symptoms (as I had been told by old neuro). We had a long discussion on the tricky little lesions as well as the Radiologist who reads the MRI's. We don't have a choice on who reads our MRI's. As with neuro's, there are good radiologists and there are bad ones.

Additionally, don't wait that long! I just got my hand slapped a little the other day for waiting too long and was told the effects it could have. As I joked with a few fellow board members, I need therapy to LEARN how to be a hypochondriac. LOL

I have lesions on my spine and my brain. The ones on my spine effect my legs mostly - my Neuro said that is what is causing my balance and gait problems. My right leg and torso has gone numb within the last 48 hours. My right side seems to be the side that is always affected when I have a flareup. My right hand/arm has been numb since October 2007. It's definitely better because I can write more legibly but it's far from being 100%.

I have also begun to have RLS symptoms. Like clockwork my legs get that strange feeling in them around 8 PM and by the time I'm ready to go to bed my legs are "ready to rumble"! It's SO annoying to have to keep moving them - I tried not to once and the feeling will literally drive you out of the bed! :eek: I've been taking 600 mg of Neurontin before I go to bed but it doesn't seem to be helping much.

This is a very interesting thread for me. I am undiagnosed, but have been having symptoms off and on since 2000. In 2006, a few small hyperintensities showed up on my brain. This past fall, after having another "episode" of increased symptoms, I had new MRIs done. The brain remains unchanged, but the radiologist now said he saw some heterogenous hyperintesities from c4-c6, as well as possibly enhancing lesion posterior to c7-t1. (Of course, I'm paraphrasing here.)

So, I finally pushed for a referral to an MS specialist, and prepared (mentally)for a diagnosis. Well, the MS neuro could not identify these 'plaques on my cord, and felt it would be a good idea to redo the MRI at their facility. So, they were repeated, and reviewed by 2 radiologists. One felt that there was something there, the other didn't. So here I am...still in limbo...wondering if I'll ever get any answers.......

Even and MRI is only and indication of what is goping on, my neuro was very quick to remind me recntly that the MRI only shows about 1/6hth of whats going on!

I have mostly spinal lesions (vs. brain), or at least I did the last time they looked. I don't go for regular MRI's, and haven't had one since 2003 . . . cause I know I have MS already. :p

If you do have spinal lesions, they don't appear to be causing you too much grief yet. They can reek SUCH havoc that the hug actually seems like a nice thing.

I wouldn't be too concerned unless other significant symptoms happen.

Cherie

I too have mostly spinal (cervical mostly) leisons. I have constant pain in my neck/shoulder blades, and dare I be active it tightens so painfully. I find a heating pad eases it and stretching helps too. I usually ignore it until it's unbearable. My bad, but I hate giving in to the MonSter.

Feel better Soon.
:hug:

Massages, by someone who is very experienced with MS, can help considerably.

Cherie

I recently did a little more reading on the banding, or "MS hug" effect and learned that it is caused by tiny muscles in the ribcage spasming.

It's possible that adding Neurontin or Baclofen to your meds would not only alleviate the "hug" and throat issue, but help with your leg too.

I've considered meds for the pain..But have been trying to avoid them as long as possible since they tend to make me oh so sleepy (which I am most of the time anyway)..May still have to go that route, though. And the massage thing sounds good to me..Thanks MzB and Lady Express..MSAcorn, I hope you're feeling well, too. Thanks for sharing! As much as I hate to see anyone in pain, it's nice to know we're not alone..

Now, I'm still waiting for Jen! How are you feeling today, and please explain the "esophogus" thing you're experiencing..I'm really curious if it's the same or similar..

Spinal Lesions??
 

What do spinal lesions generally relate to? Are they are symtom of MS? or symtoms of MS developing?

Hello Nancee and welcome to NeuroTalk.

Spinal lesions as well as brain lesions represent damage to the Central Nervous System (CNS)...in MS. There can be other causes for lesions even in the spine.

Not sure I answered your questions, if not please feel free to ask more.

Here is some information you might find helpful:
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/342409-overview

lesion location
 

Search the net for "Dermatomes". Chart will show 1000 words more then I can type :) Then get your MRI on cd and play find the lesions. I had one around c4 that faded thank god because Christopher Reeves injury was probably just slightly above it.

TM
 

Hi,

I was diagnosed with TM 4 years ago. I've been perscribed neuro drugs like lyrica and amatriplyne, neither did anything but make me so tired that i was boarder line sleeping behind the wheel.

I've taken myself off the drugs and have been living this way for more than a year. The only relief i've been able to find between the constant spasms and RLS is to take high doses of motrin / ibprofin (usually between 1200 - 1800mg). I'm aware that this is probally not good, but it beats getting addicted to the mutiple amount of painkillers i've been pushed. I have countless perscriptions for t3's, oxycodone...etc.. I refuse to become drug dependant.

I've managed to get on the wait list for the MS reasearch clinic at UBC hospital and my appointment is next week, it's been a long journey to get this far which included firing 3 neurologists because in thier opinion "you'll just get better" when clearily due to severity of symptoms and frequancy i was not.

I've been doing alot of research into TM and MS prepairing for my day long list of appointments and I've noticed something. TM develops quickily over a period of hours or a week, is this what happens in every case?

I ask because I want to prepair myself for what's ahead. My symptoms started in December and got increasing worse over a period of 9 months tapering off in september. another thing that baffles me is that my symptoms do not affect my legs at all just everything from the waist up.

should I be worried?

Just so you are aware, the original poster asked this question in 2008 and it was talked about a bit. The post was revived in 2010 for a few comments.

AllyBear you may be better off starting a new topic of your own so that you can receive responses tailored to your situation. We have had several folks come and go since that original posting. I hope you get the answers you seek. I dont know much about TM except I hear that it comes on very fast and after some time leaves just as quickly. That it can be more devestating than MS, and carries alot of similar traits, but acts differently too.

Hang in there. :hug:

cervical lesions
 

After over a year of on again off again mysterious issues and doctors telling me, "i dont know" or suggesting Im insane or remarking, "youre too young to have these issues..." and even an mri that showed nothing, I finally got an MRI done of my brain and spine. They found 2 or 3 lesions in my cervical spine which may indicate a demyelation disease. (Also a slight bulging disc in my thoracic spine... but I didnt have any back pain, so yeah)

I do not have lupus, lyme, or b12 issues oh and I dont have sjergions (or however you spell it)....

I just turned 22 and I am a woman and I am from the NorthEast but currently live in Texas. We moved here 5 months ago (there are NO jobs in PA and its so expensive, I do not miss the state in the least). We moved here because we thought it was just a b12 issue since my last neuro told me my b12 was just a little bit off and just to take the vitamins and ill be fine. Well I did, and I wasnt. Also I was on the pill at the time and that frequently causes a dip i b12.

My issue(s), get worse in the heat. A lot worse. I walk outside or step out of my car and bam! spasms and my leg wont lift right. Its like its stuck in a cement bucket that I have to drag around with me. Along with the right leg, my right arm often feels like it has RLS and its super annoying, or it will feel very weak and I cant use it well, or my right hand will keep dropping things. At times I get a shock down my entire spine when I bend my neck forward, so painful! It lingers for like 20min afterwards!

Also at times I get this tight sensation around my rib cage. It doesnt happen often and I first noticed it when I was sick and coughing but then when I wasnt coughing it was very tight and I felt like I couldnt expand enough to breathe. Oh and "dryness" south of the border... which is unfortunate because Im recently married and want to enjoy that part of my life before it dies with kids and older age... haha. oh and does anyone get frequent UTIs? they always seem to coming around when my issues kick it up a notch too...

Would cervical lesions cause these issues? How likely is it that it is indeed, ms? The MRI said they were t2, and there were no enhancing lesions. Which I guess means, non-active, which would make sense as I am not having too many issues the past couple of weeks. I can make it flair up by stressing myself and making my body really hot, but Im not fully sure Im in an "episode." It also gets worse during menstruation, which makes sense since my migraines act up then too. But can the issues act up without it necessarily being an "episode?" I go back to discuss with my neuro on friday but i just wanted to see if anyone else went through the same thing?

Welcome Allison..nice to meet you.:)
Sounds MSy to me, but could also be
other diseases?

Stay with us and let us know what your
Doc thinks, on Friday.What you decide to
do and what meds you are considering.:hug:

HI Allison and welcome to our community.

You might print out what you have posted and take that with you to your appointment.
I agree with Sally (once again on all points :D).

Good luck.

With love, Erika

Hi Allison

Yes, take a list to your doc on Friday, so you don't forget anything when you see him/her. I also agree with Sal and Erika - again :)

Welcome Allison,

Make sure to bring this list with you, as suggested by our wise person Sal. Also make sure to bring a list of questions, since I know my brain goes blank when I step in the exam room.
Heat can cause a pseudoexacerbation, which isn't a flare up, just an uptick in symptoms due to an increase in body temperature. My neuro prescribed Slurpees whenever I get overheated, and I keep Icees or flavorice in the freezer, as well as a neck wrap that cools the pulse points in my neck.

Keep us up to date...:hug:

Debbie, actually Erika was tha "wise person";)

If repeating what you and many others have said counts as wisdom...then I'm in :D.

Take it as sound advice from those who have been there Allison. Good luck.

With love, Erika

I was just wondering how your visit went with the Neuro.? I have an apt coming up next week over a "fatty" lesion on my T11 & 12 that is causing me PAIN.