Finger to nose test??? Important
 

This question is going to lead up to a whole slew of others but I want to try not to make a post that is 20 miles long:p.

Who cannot touch their fingers to their noses with eyes closed when the neuro does this test?

If you can't do it, are you still able to walk with our without aid?

I usually end up touching somewhere above my nose by my eyebrows.

This is really important because my dh and I are seriously beginning to doubt my doctor:( .

Chris can't even with his eyes open. He is currently using either a walker or wheelchair 95% of the time.

I can touch my nose with my finger with my eyes closed. I am in a wheel chair 95% of the time and when I do walk it is with a cane or touching a wall.
Why?

My neuro said that he has never had a patient be unable to do this and still be walking. I use a cane at home and for short times when I'm out.

Most of the time I have to use a wheelchair if going somewhere that requires more than a minimal amount of walking. I am still able to walk though, just not for a long periods.

I'm in the middle of an exacerbation, btw.

Thanks for asking!:)

Maybe it was just a random observation by the neuro. It was interesting to him that you were still walking when his other patients who can't do that, aren't. I wouldn't take it as more than that. I have failed that test before when I was at my worst, I was having great difficulty walking with a cane at that time. I have since improved a lot and can pass that test again.

There are no absolutes in neurology. Everyone's brains accomodate for damage differently. I wouldn't worry about it.

My right hand fails to touch the nose with the eyes closed, and I'm still walking without aid. (my right side is the most effected)

I do have some balance issues and intermittent drop foot though.

Even when I was paralyzed, I could do it. I don't get it perfectly every time, but I usually get pretty close to the tip.

The reason many of us need walking aids is not because we CAN'T walk. For me, a walking aid will give me stability (knees buckling, difficulty with balance, etc), and conserves what little energy I have.

When all I've done in a day is gone to see the neurologist, I might be feeling reasonably good . . . but two hrs later, it might be a completely different story. Some days I can garden for 3 hrs, and others I don't even get out of bed.

He is being very black and white.

Cherie

Hey Jo,

My right hand touches my nose, but left went right to the middle of my forehead, but my doc hasn't done that test since I was DX, back in May. I am not using any walking aids, altho I think it could be helpful sometimes.

I am having an exacerbation as well. I just did the "finger to nose" test myself, left finger hit middle of eye brow:confused:

I know how you feel about doubting you Doc.

Keep the faith!!

HUGSS:hug:

Wouldn't the ability to touch your nose be a brain issue (ability to know where things are in space)? Whereas inability/difficulty walking is more generally a spinal issue. Those are my thoughts at least - not sure if they're right or not. I wouldn't worry about linking the two together too much. Sounds like a careless comment that probably would have been better kept to himself.:hug:

your neuro's wrong (and Greta's right!)

I have failed this test for a decade, yet I still walk.

I use a cane and bilateral AFOs when I have to go more than about 100 yards.

or stiff-sided sturdy hiking boots for ankle support.

lol, I just tried it!

left hand did fine, right hand flunked miserably... landed in the region of my eyebrow.

I have to do it SLOWLY, lest I poke an eye out here.

:D

Hey Joel,

When I could not reach my nose, I definately was not walking on my own or really at all....

I am now most of the time able to get my nose. I use a cane now.

I do remember as I was getting BACK to walking that I couldn't touch my nose....using a walker then....

Hi Joelle,

I would definitely talk to my Neuro about this and find out where he is getting his information to base his theory on. Is he telling you that NONE of his patients who are dependant on a mobility device can touch their finger to their nose?

I've been trying it while sitting here and I can do it with either hand - that is not something I have ever not been able to do. But my Neuro doesn't always give me that test - he usually makes me do the "sobriety test" and then hits me with the little rubber hammer.

***I was going to reply with some smart-alecky comment based on our earlier conversation but chickened out!!! :o *** :D

I'm OK with my right finger, close with my left. I've been in a WC and I use a cane fulltime when I'm not using the WC.

I've seen no difference or correlation between the two with me.

Interesting thought.

I've never seen two Neuros that could agree or have the same conclusions on anything (exageration.) Every Neuro I've met was a little goofy upstairs too. Lol.

I haven't been able to do that test in years and I don't use any mobility aids at this point...however, I do walk like a penquin most days and probably should use an aid. lol

I used a cane for a short period, probably need to go back, it would probably help with a lot of walking issues.

LOL! I tried this when I read the post and my right finger landed somewhere in the middle between tip of nose and eyebrow! Then I tried it left handed and hit the mark. Every time I tried it afterwards I was right on target.

When I got up this afternoon, I tried it again and missed with the right hand again! I have a neuro appointment tomorrow and I am going to ask about this now!

I'm stiff and slow most of the time, but I am still walking!:)

It's hit or miss with me (pun not intended. LOL). Sometimes I can do it and sometimes I can't. I can walk but not all that well and should use a cane. I sometimes find that the cane can be more trouble than it's worth.

I think when they do this test they are also looking at the movement of your arms, fingers, etc and how your finger eventually got to or close to your nose. So there is more to it than just touching your nose.

I'm not sure if this link will go directly the section you are asking about, but if not, click on:

- coordination and gait ... then
- appendicular coordination

http://www.neuroexam.com/content.php?p=36

This is another good link for neuro testing:

http://edinfo.med.nyu.edu/courseware/neurosurgery/

I think it's the combination of certain aspects they are looking to see, and they can tell from our results (on those combinations) what is effected.

Cherie

Craig hits his eye or somewhere else...He hasn't walked for about two years...its been over six years since he could walk only short distances with a cane.

I can do it with my eyes closed, but with them open my left hand misses. It's called ataxia, and it does affect leg coordination too.

I'm still walking (refer to first sentence).

Yeah. I wouldn't be able to pass the sobriety test if ever stopped by cops.:eek:

I can't stand and have my eyes closed without wobbling.

Yep I use a wheel chair on bad days, and cane on good days.

I go to the left,or right of my nose.
So close..
but u ask me to close my eyes,and put my head back,and lol at me when I start to fall. NOT GOOD!!!

I told my younger sister about this a couple of days ago. She has rheumatoid arthritis. No known central nervous system issues. She called me last night and told me she decided to try to do the test. She can't touch her fingers to her nose without great difficulty (with her eyes closed). Hmm...does that mean we're both freaks of nature? LOL

No, but perhaps your neuro is.;):rolleyes::D

okay I just hhhhaadd to try it.......

left handed (my bad side) I did fine.....right on the tip.....but I did find myself really thinking about where my hand was going....

The right side (strong side) I did second and was thinking hard about it as well and went between my nose and upper lip....waited a few minutes walked in another room came back sat down did the same order and exactly the same results....

add me to the freak list....notice I said walked to another room.....I have no problems with balance.....get tired when walking and gets back pains someteims but no balance issues......but hey I got lesions....does that count?