l'hermite in MS
 

Hi Everyone!

Happy Easter! :)

So i've been having this shock like symptoms when I tried to bend reallllly low.. but lately i've noticed that it's gone. Like completely gone! :D
Does that mean the lesion has healed? Also, since i'm not fully diagnosed yet, how often should I have an MRI?

My doctor hasn't told me anything yet :(

Thanks guys,

Charlie


ps: Thanks for all your support.. I'm loving the community! :grouphug:

Hello Charlie!

Not a doctor by any means, but my understanding (from hearing about others and their 'travels' through the medical world) is the best time to have an MRI conducted is when you're experiencing a flare up of symptoms/relapse.

It does make sense, my first MRI was before I was diagnosed, and I'd massed a TON of different symptoms over the span of several years (some came and went, others stuck around). When I had my MRI, the lesions lit up like a Christmas tree.

*Important: Be sure to have an MRI done with "contrast" (it's a dye that they inject partway through the procedure). This way, your non-contrast MRI results can be compared with those which involve the contrast. The contrast will show active areas of inflammation/lesions

I've had about 1 MRI a year, and beyond my first MRI, none had changed (first was done late 2007/early 2008, I was diagnosed in March of 2008) until my last MRI which was done late last year (2013) which showed 1 old lesion that was active again, and a new lesion almost right on top of the older lesion that had re-activated. The new lesion was also 'active' as well.

Although I had active lesions showing, I didn't have to take anything (solumedrol or prednisone, for example) to reduce the inflammation. I guess my neuro felt that, based on the results, if I wasn't experiencing symptoms that had me knocked out for the count, best to wait it out. I agree though... many folks won't ever do steroids and such for relapses, others will for a major relapse. It's all down to personal choice. Keep that in mind in your journeys. :hug:

To my knowledge a lesion doesn't "heal" so to speak, a lesion can become inactive though (remission). If you're thinking of an MRI just for the sake of seeing if a lesion that was located on a previous MRI while you were experiencing L'Hermittes Sign has gone 'inactive', I say no it's not worth it. If you experience a new neurological symptom that's quite bothersome/troubling, that's when you should be speaking with your neurologist/GP, and perhaps then an MRI would be a good idea.

Always, always inform your GP/neuro of new symptoms that come up, and ask them if further investigation is merited. Depending on where you live, an MRI may be expensive (and the result may not show anything new, so money spent for a repeat, you know?) or may be a long wait to have done (I'm in Canada so MRI are covered by medicare here, but the waiting list for one can be quite long, luckily I got in last time on a cancellation).

Again, speak with your doctor for the best advice for your situation. All the best. :)

Thank you for the info!

I live in Canada too! :) In Ottawa

I know that the wait time is too long & that's why i'm wondering if I should speak with my MS specialist to book an MRI for me now.. it usually takes 3-5 months so by that time t'd be a year after my first MRI.

Thanks again :)

Charlie-

Hi Charlie2015 and Welcome to NeuroTalk.

I'm not sure what or how you mean by 'really low.'

Lhermittes can cause abnormal sensations (vibrations/buzzing, tingling, electrical shock) when the head is bent down, such as simply looking down or chin to chest. These sensations will last only seconds but can be repeated each time the head is bent at the neck.

When related to MS Lhermittes is caused by a lesion(s) on the cervical spine (neck).

Symptom in MS can be permanent, come and go or resolve completely.

I have had Lhermittes as a permanent symptom for 29 years but the sensations it causes can be minimal to the point I really don't notice it unless I really pay attention when I look down. Other times Lhermittes sensations are more intense and has been known to signal an exacerbation for me.

The frequency of MRIs depends on your Neurologist and if you are using any of the Disease Modifying Drugs(DMDs). I have only had about 5 MRIs in the last 29 years.

Hi & thanks for your reply :)

My Lhermittes doesn't seem normal. I DON'T get shocks when I just bend my neck rather I have to really hunch my back to feel a somewhat sharp vibration/shock sensation that spreads down to my toes and to the sides near my kidneys. My doctor says it's because of MS but it doesn't happen every time I hunch. I'm wondering if it's not because of MS. Any suggestions?


Thanks again

Hi Charlie,

Honestly, your description does not sound like Lhermitte's sign. Lhermitte's is strictly about flexing the neck and having abnormal sensations. Have you tried just bending your neck down and not your back?

If so and if you do not have any abnormal sensation I would question your Neurologist carefully and in detail about when and what you are doing to elicit the sensations you have.

Any description you research about lhermittes will all return the same description about flexing or bending the neck.

http://neurology.about.com/b/2013/04...ittes-sign.htm

http://www.msfocus.org/article-detai...?articleID=331

Thank you soo much for the info! It makes me feel better and more hopeful knowing that it may not be lhermittes :) I'm not fully diagnosed yet so any little hope goes a long way! Thanks