Spinal Disorders & Back Pain For discussion of all spinal cord injuries, spinal issues, back-related pain or problems.


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Old 01-17-2007, 09:42 PM #1
lailavia lailavia is offline
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Default Fibro girl with sudden back/neck problems. PLEASE ADVISE!!

Ok here's the deal. I have had fibro and cfs according to docs for about 10 years. Was recently sent to a neuro for severe morning shakes, like I can't even get out of bed for 1/2 hour to 45 minutes. OH, I also have postural orthostatic intolerance, which makes my heart race and bp jump around, especially in am. I take beta blocker and xanax at 6:00 am and at 8:40 when I have to get up i go thru this shaky sick, stomach churning awfulness...actually started after the panic attacks of the 1995's which were bought under control by xanax and klonopin. EVen if I double doses of meds in morning it does not help just makes me not want to get up ever.

Was also sent for migraines. Couldn't take the topomax or neruontin. Then I developed weakness in my arms in November and suddenly one day in Dec I woke up with bad left arm pain from shoulder neck area to hand. One spot on left of neck hurts too, esp. when sitting in chair. So I had an MRI of C-Spine and MRA with contrast of vessels. .

He read the report and said I did not have Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. Which is what I thought I may have from some researching. OH, I also had extreme vertigo when turning my body. Which fit that problem. Said I had problem with a disk, talked too fast to understand and wrote a script for physical therapy and more tramadol. Appointment over. Did say he could do nerve conduction tests in arms.

So I picked up my report (forgot to ask for copies there)

This is what it says:normal signal intensity in the cord. Minimal central bulge of the c6-7 disk, not actually deforming the sac but containing a tiny annular fissure. Particualr attention is paid to the left neural foramina; they appear
patent without evidence of bony or soft tissue encroachment. No Identifiable mass in the region of the brachial plexus, but please be advised that this study was not performed as a didicated brachial plexus study.

I wish he could have explained it at least a little! Does vertigo accomany a slight disk problem?

Since then the acute pain and weakness in arms has subsided, with occaisional mild flare ups. My neck pain is constant with sitting now.

My PCP thought it was all nothing to worry about, but did refer me to JOhn's Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore MD to their Neuro dept. I guess for the am shakes and migraines, also knowing I was unhappy with this doc.
She said to address one problem at a time. As there are 120 neuro's there and each has specialties. She also gave me a referral to a new rheumy someone on this site recommended and eye doc for dry eye to see if I have it. Those were all my ideas.

Sorry to make this a novel, but I am confused My referral just says, migraines, and am tremors, I will bring up the neck/back thing though. Can a problem like this mimic symptoms of TOS and is a neuro the right kind of doc for this?

I'm tired of being treated like an imbecile. Do I need PT anyway? And why?
Why couldn't this doc take 5 minutes to try to help me understand? HIs office seems very slow. And he rushes thru the appt. like there is no tomorrow. Hopefully will get better help at hospital .....Thanks for any help in advance! And sorry to make this so long!
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Old 01-17-2007, 10:01 PM #2
lailavia lailavia is offline
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Default PS

I had posted about this on the TOS site, someone suggested I jump over here to spinal issues. I have actually noticed a problem with this "pain in the neck" coming on for some time.
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Old 01-17-2007, 11:06 PM #3
watsonsh watsonsh is offline
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Hi,

I was reading your post and had some of the same experiences so I thought I would say a few things.

I am dx with TOS but it was not easy getting there. All my MRI's came back negative in the beginning but I was having migraines, off balance feeling more than vertigo, blood pressure problems, weird pain in arms and hands.

MRI's showed normal spinal cord etc with slight bulge incervical spine. Not until I had special MRI of brachial plexus sis they confirm TOS. It's hard to see in regular MRIs

With your neck pain, do you notice that you have muscle spasms? Are the muscles very tight? That could be contributing to it. The soft tissue could be spasm'd and pulling everything out of whack.

Whatever you do be careful with PT. If it hurts tell them, especially if they have you doing any strengthening exercies.

Hope you find out some answers. Good luck
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Old 01-18-2007, 12:19 PM #4
lailavia lailavia is offline
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Default Pain in the neck

Thank you Shelly. I know from experience it is a long hard road to get dx with something Docs are not sure about. I will keep on trying.
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Old 01-18-2007, 01:41 PM #5
watsonsh watsonsh is offline
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I am sending good wishes your way.

Was doing a little more research. If you aretrying to narrow down neuro's possibly a neurophysiologist or neuromuscular doc. More anatomy oriented.

I also went to a rheumy and he was great and provided alot of insight with muscles and such.

Funny thing, I was also having a tremor like feeling. Wasn't there all the time because they found my body had to be in right position. But it was combo of nerve impringement from TOS and muscles that shook because they were weak. At some points it was almost a vibrating feeling.

Truly hope you find some answers soon.

Hugs
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Old 01-20-2007, 08:58 PM #6
lailavia lailavia is offline
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Default your pain

ok, so is physical therapy the only road you have had to take? I have already read a few horror stories about surguries for this syndrome, no rush to have any surgery ever! Thanks again.
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