I have neck issues, but could it be MS that is my real problem?
 

I started having shoulder pain last month. I went to see my doc and she had me use muscle relaxers and gabapentin, that didn't help, the pain got worse. It was no longer an ache, it was not a burning sensation and it was moving from my back shoulder blade to my armpit. She sent me for Ct of the chest to check for a embolism, the CT came back fine. She then did an EKG, it was fine. At this point, the pain was no longer just in my shoulder and in my armpit, it was also in my arm and the leg on that side of my started feeling weaker than the other leg. She sent me for three MRIs, neck, back and brain and referred me to a Neurologist. I had the MRI's and saw the Neurologist, who is referring me to spine surgeon. The findings of the neck MRI were most likely the cause of my pain.

Here are the findings =
C5-6 right paracentral disc protusion and osteophyte formation with moderate right canal stenosis and mild anterior cord flattening. There is right greater than left foraminal narrowing.
C3-4 mild spondylosis with mild right foraminal narrowing.
C6-7 mild central disc bulge with mild canal stenosis.

Ok, so I've done some research on the web,but I'm not sure how bad these findings are. My Neurologist could use some work on his delivery, he led with I'm referring you to a spine surgeon. This of course freaked me out, to which he replied maybe I won't need surgery "yet". I then told him neck surgery would be high on my list of things I would never want to do.

I see the ortho surgeon next week, but I would some of your thoughts on my condition.

Also, I'm now on day 6 of Lyrica and I don't feel it having any impact. I'm also not getting as much relief from my pain meds, I don't now if my tolerance is higher or if my pain is higher now. The pain in my leg has been getting worse everyday. My knee hurts and I get random pains in my leg. My brain MRI did show white matter that my Neurologist matter a factly told me that if there were 9 or 10 of them he would think I have MS. I go back to see him in a month.

Do any of these symptoms remind you of when you were first diagnosed with MS?

I didn't start out with the symptoms that you described. However, that doesn't mean that you don't have MS either. I would wait until I saw the spine doctor and see what he/she says. Also, the medication that you are on may not be the right ones for you. Discuss other options with your doctor(s).

Welcome, Lilasmom.:)

I have read your post through three times and it doesn't remind me of my MS beginnings or journey. That said, all of our symptoms come and go or stay and change and none of us are exactly alike.

I think the spinal issues are a good place for you to start.

Stay, read, research and see what you think. I like to know whatever happens, OK?

Best to you,
ANN

i started with a gait problem that got worse. i was dx'd with 6 brain and 2 c-spine lesions per mri. plus my sx's plus a neuro exam. i ended up having O-bands on my spinal fluid but didn't have that done til after my dx.

what's concerning to me is how symptomatic you are.
at a later time i had a C4-7 disc surgery because i had cord compression but my leg problems didn't change.

i would definitely see what the ortho has to say. try to take someone with you for a 2nd set of ears. and, if he suggests surgery try to get a 2nd opinion.

keep a sx journal with the sx's you have and the dates.
and, ask for a copy of your test results and mri's etc. other drs you may see will want to see it for themselves.

please keep us posted.