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Had my MRI and Xrays

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Posted 5/8/2009 8:07 PM (GMT 0)
Chart and PALady

I am starting a new thread, Chart I seen your Post smilewinkgrin   Got my Cervical MRI done this morning, God I hate getting MRI's they are so uncomfortable and I have such a hard time laying even though they put as many pillows under my knees as they can, ( I can't not lay flat with my legs straight out, I have to have at least my knees up so my legs are bent at the hips, and even then I can't lay on my back to long) Anyway I took a Percocet about 40 minutes before getting it, and that helped a little. What ever is going on it is starting to affect my right arm and hand from the middle finger to the small one too! After the MRI I went to XRay  I kid you not I bet if they took one Xray, then they took at least 20! I should glow in the dark after all those Xrays!  All of them were of my neck and thorasic spine and form every angle imaginable, and they made me hold those darn  weights in each hand an that just about kills my neck. Anywayafter all that I then went and got the blood work done 6 vials and I was done with them for today, Next Friday the 15th I get the MRI of my Thorasic spine done and then get an injection and come back in three hour for the Bone Scan! The 21st  I see my pain Doc so maybe I will get some answers from him, he is the one that scheduled most of these tests, I don't get the EMG till the 2nd of June with my Neurologist and I would hate to have to wait that long to find out what is going on!

Anyway I was kind of hesitant about starting a thread because I really don't know any thing! I have constant  pain in my left elbow going down into my last three fingers on my hand it is hard to keep my left arm straight, and when I move my head just right  I get really really bad searing pain from the left side of my adams apple going up into the left back side of my head and that just about knocks my sock right off! And it causes me to Gag and get spasms in my throat, and that causes as bunch of other problems!  The last couple of days I have been getting some pain in my right elbow down into my last three finger in my right hand! so it is spreadig. I am assuming it is a disc in my neck, as the feeling is very much like what I had when my C6/7 went bad, but a slightly different area of my arm and hand! I know several years ago they told me C5/6 was going bad and  there was stenosis of the C6/7 fusion. But I dont know if that is what is really wrong. The girl doing the Xrays was talking with me, as she has Xrayed me many times in the past, and she asked me today  if they had ever checked me for MS, as she has a close friend that has very similiar symptoms and she has MS, I told her that, that has been mentioned to me I don't know how many times over the years, by so many different people, including Doctors, but so far nothing has ever been confirmed. We will see what these test show!

That is it for now

White Beard

Posted 5/8/2009 10:53 PM (GMT 0)
WhiteBeard, I am sorry you are having all these additional problems with the accelerated pain. Having the MRI's and xrays should bring you some answers. And then you will have a proper dx.and ofcourse go from there. I am very concerned about the pain in the adams' apple and the gagging and throat spasms. I know ofcourse you are too. I am glad however that you are doing something about it.

I wish you well and I will be thinking about you. Please keep us up to date on what is going on and what you find out. Take care of yourself. I wish I could offer you some anwers.
Anice
Posted 5/8/2009 11:34 PM (GMT 0)
(((((((((((((WhiteBeard))))))))))))

So glad you started a new thread so you could keep us up to date. Gosh, what a day you've had! And more to look forward to! But I do hope you get some answers soon.

I hope you can relax a bit tonight - some light tv or whatever takes your mind to another place!

PaLady
Posted 5/9/2009 2:00 AM (GMT 0)

Hey Whitebeard,

Hang in there.  I wish they could either rule in or out that spector of MS.  Obviously I am for ruling it out!  But either way, being in limbo must suck!  I know on the other thread you said you don't do chat.  If you ever want to try again, let me know.  We could set a time and you could meet me in there.  I am pretty patient!  You could do this with anyone of us I am betting.  You might enjoy chat with one or two others and not a whole slug of people.  One or two that know you are typing slowly......they will wait so you can express yourself.  Think about it. 

I will check back lots looking for results on your MRI and x-rays.

Posted 5/9/2009 3:17 AM (GMT 0)
anice, PALady, Gretchen1, and all of you,

anice you have so much going on right now, with just having surgery, I do hope youare doing better now, I do worry about you!

PALady It seems like you are always there! and I Thank-You for that!  But yet you also  have allot going on! Don't you have some test coming up too? Plus trying to get SSD, I do hope you getit approved the first time around! Have you got your application all done and turned in?  Your situation really has me on edge, I do wish you would E-mail me sometime just to talk.

Gretchen I just might try and do the Chat room thing again,if you can be patient with me, maybe we can set up a time. You know that Xray tech said I should push to have spinal tap done,  she said it isn't 100% but it is a good indicator of MS Is that right?


 Anyway you guys really are Great! How can I ever let you know how much I appreciatate and value everything all of you do for me! I might not have a caring family at home, but I certainly have one here at this forum! There is just no doubt about that!

Thank-You all  SO MUCH!

White Beard

Posted 5/9/2009 3:30 AM (GMT 0)
Hi White Beard,

Glad to hear you made it through all of your tests today, okay, despite the discomfort. MRI's are never any fun, especially when you are in pain! It's not easy or comfortable to stay still that long, even if you aren't bothered by lying on your back! It stinks that you have to wait so long to get all of your results & find out what is going on/what you doc is suspecting! The waiting is always the worst part, especially when you have something new and unknown that is progressing, and your symptoms sound just terrifying! Hopefully it is nothing too bad & is something that is fixable or at the least, manageable! Hopefully you are having a nice relaxing night! Keep us posted!

Skeye
Posted 5/9/2009 4:02 AM (GMT 0)
I, too, wish you a quick and full recovery.  I just hope they don't discover you are alergic to hair.

In addition, I would volunteer for the chat room discussion.  My hands and fingers get worse every day, so I might give you a run for your money on that speed issue you keep talking about.  Not to mention spelling since it is somewhat difficult to keep my fingers on the right row of keys.

And don't forget the signature issue.

Posted 5/9/2009 4:03 AM (GMT 0)
Thank-You Skeye

I will keep all of you posted, I have something to ask you, what are you majoring in, and how much longer do you have in school, the reason I ask is, I have two daughters that Graduated from College, my youngest got her BA in Nursing , and works at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, and my oldest has her BA in English and Spanish and her Masters in Spandish Linguistics, she is in charge of the entire Language Department at a rather large High School in Omaha, and also teaches 6 Spanish classes a day. I am very proud of both of them,( can you tell!) my youngest Daughter has also made me a GrandPa Yes, I have a Granddaughter she is 1 1/2, my youngest daughter also has two dogs a couple of cats, a dozen chickens, about a dozen sheep, she did have a pig but we ate him, she sold the goats, they have a little 5 acre hobby farm! It is so much fun going to her house, there one Dog Todo is alway on my lap, the dog on one knee and the Granddaughter on the other! I do wish both my kids lived closer as they both live about 500 miles away and it is some what difficult for us to see each other as much as we would like! Anyway I was just curious as to what your major was and what you wanted to do when you finished school! Maybe you have already said in a post and I missed it!
Anyway I do hope you are doing better have you found out any thing more about your eye? I do wish you well and hope your pain is OK
I wish you all the best

White Beard
Posted 5/9/2009 4:14 AM (GMT 0)
Tony
I Love it Thank-You I think! I don't know how you did that! Does everyone know to click on them! I just now clicked on your dogs, They are beautiful, there is nothing like having pets, I miss my dog so much, I had to have him put down last year, he was 19 years old and had arthritis so bad. I bet those two really keep you busy.

Great Pictures Tony except for that old White Bearded guy!

White Beard
Posted 5/9/2009 4:35 AM (GMT 0)
WhiteBeard,

My point in that link was to show you what I could teach you to create as part of your own signature - if you like.

You said you wished we could all do something like that, and I assure you that we can if we just have a digital photo.

I am volunteering to host the photos for everyone for free, if anyone wants to have a 'Meet Me' link in their signature.

VERY simple process, I could create 1. 2. 3. instructions.

Let me know if you'd be willing to help get everyone to do this. But at least let me know if YOU would like to put your photo up here.
Posted 5/9/2009 4:46 AM (GMT 0)
Tony
I sent you an E-mail, I am in and let me know what I can do to help

White Beard
Posted 5/9/2009 5:10 AM (GMT 0)
Hi White Beard,

Yes, it sounds like you are a very proud father! Your daughter's hobby farm sounds great! I'd love to have one some day. My dream is to have horses, but I'd also like some goats, and maybe a cow, not to mention the dogs & cats. I could never eat one of my animals though! I get way too attached! My uncle keeps pestering me to keep a cow for him on my future farm that he could slaughter & I refuse. I keep telling him that if he wants to do that, then he has to keep it elsewhere! I may have mentioned it before, but not in a while: I am a biology major, and I now officially have only one year left of undergrad! (It doesn't seem possible!) Then hopefully, I'm off to veterinary school. I am definitely going to take at least a year off after I graduate in order to cope with everything going on, but then plan on continuing so that I can fulfill my dream! I have wanted to be a vet for as long as I can remember, and really the only thing that potentially stands in my way now is this eye. I'd love to be a large animal vet, I have a really passion for working out on the farms, although I'd love to work with any & all animals.

No new news about my eye lately. I am still waiting to hear back from my doc about the conference he went to & whether that generated any new ideas. If I don't hear back from him by the middle of the week, I am just going to try & make an appointment, so that he'll have to talk to me! smilewinkgrin Still waiting to hear back from a consulting PM as well & then I am seeing a rheumatologist at the end of next month, although I doubt that anything will come of that. We've got some other ideas on board as well, but they are all basically acts of desperation that I am hoping we won't have to pursue. Things have really not been so great for me lately, but I suppose that is nothing new. Hopefully with the increases in the fentanyl patch that we decided upon, we'll find out once & for all whether or not my brain lacks the proper opioid receptors or I just don't absorb the medication, although unfortunately, I suspect it is the former. I wish I wasn't so hard to treat!

Skeye
Posted 5/9/2009 5:50 AM (GMT 0)
White Beard,
Yes, I will have some tests coming up. I'm in the process of trying to get all my MD, dental, & eye appointments in by June 30. That's actually priority #1. Most will be things I've postponed like that dreaded colonoscopy!!! But I have to have an endoscopy so I figured I'd let them do both ends at the same time! LOL That's on June 8. I may not be in a very good mood on June 7th and you probably know why! Next week I see my neurologist and hope to get him on board for records for disability. I've not done the application yet, because my head is really spinning with all this medical stuff. Need to get new glasses. A tooth fixed. Make sure I've got 90 scripts for everything in mid-June. I sort of can only handle so much. And my unemployment just got extended again briefly, so I get a bit of a reprieve.

Try not to worry. Trust me - I'll let you know when there's stuff to worry about! Now I just need some energy and mental clarity.

Good thing is my cousin is coming tomorrow with a couple of friends, one who's' visitng from California that I haven't seen in a couple of years. I plan to just go over there and visit with them tomorrow night and maybe Sunday and try to forget about all this for a bit. And hope I can juggle my meds to work in my favor!

Now it's time to try to sleep!!!

PaLady
p.s. White Beard - thank you for caring! And all you give to me and others here, especially with everything you've got going on! yeah

Post Edited (PAlady) : 5/9/2009 2:22:28 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/9/2009 7:43 AM (GMT 0)
wow Whitebeard you have so much going on, I've got my fingers crossed for you that its something treatable. The gagging sounds horrendous, anything interferring with breathing or swallowing must be so awful. My heart goes out to you. I just had a CT scan done of my lower back which is much faster but I couldn't get back up from lying down on such a narrow space, I just couldn't roll up the incline!!! Luckily the radiographer came and helped, we both laughed. Honestly they build these narrow surfaces for injured patients and make it near impossible to usethem! How do all you guys cope with much worse back conditions than mine? Oh the joys of medical treatment!

Posted 5/9/2009 4:11 PM (GMT 0)
golitho
Thank-You for your kind words of concern! I really appreciate that! You know one time when I had an MRI and I got a "Charlie Horse" muscle spasms in my back and in my leg, at the same time, I was pressing on the panic button,they were asking me what was wrong and that I needed to lay still! All I wanted is for them to get me out of the thing! I don't know about anyone else but when I get Charlie horses in the back and inside of my thighs, I just can not lay still!

The MRI yesterday wasn't terribly bad, but they had my head tilted a little and that really affects my arms and my swallowing and gag reflex. I am glad that it didn't last any longer than it did! I really hate when I start having those laryngeal spasms it actually hurts, it just about like when you are sick to your stomach and start wretching but your stomach is not involved, just your throat and upper body muscles, it is just about like if something is caught in your throat and your trying to get it out but nothing is there, and the spasms won't stop! When that happens ( and it is getting all to frequent right now) my arms hurt so bad, and I get the electric shocks and needle sticks from shoulder to shoulder across my chest and in my neck! This past Tuesday night when I was going to my divorce support group meeting, I stopped at Culvers a fast food place for a Cheeseburger and fries. Anyway my arms were really bothering me that night, and when I got out of the car, to go into the place, I twisted my neck a little and all of a sudden I started gagging, I was imbarrassed as some people were driving by, and I am leaning over wretching, anyway I got back into the car, and just sat their wretching and holding my arms tightly into my chest and rocking, it really does hurt so bad. After a while it eased up and stopped, so I sat there for a while and dried my tears and put on my sun glasses and slowly went in and got my food and went on to the meeting. Every one commented at the divorce group that I was moving very slow and I looked pale, and they asked if I was feeling OK.

I probably should have just went home but it is close to an hour drive one way and I sure didn't want to do that for nothing! And I am glad I went though! When I first started going to the meetings, I started in the middle, as each week they cover different topics, and I missed the first 6 or 7 sessions! Last Tuesday night was the beginning of a new group, there was some new faces and some old ones that like me either started late and wanted to go to the sessions they missed, or they just wanted to take it over again!

Anyway I do hope I can get some answers to this, the last time I seen my neurologist and he ordered this MRI, he was running late and was extremely rushed, and even though he ordered the MRI, I felt like I was being blown off a little! Maybe it was just because he was in a hurry! I hope so anyway!

White Beard
Posted 5/9/2009 4:56 PM (GMT 0)
Whitebeard,

It sounds like you are having a real time of it with your neck, arms and back. That old spine really lets you know that it is there in your case, doesn't it?? Sorry for what you are going through. I don't envy you getting an EMG I had one once and swore I would never have one again, no matter what. It was so painful and I felt like I was being tortured. The personality of the person administering the test did not help either. He was a real winner. Anyway, I hope yours goes much better. Not all people have that bad a reaction I hear. So I hope that's you.

Whitebeard, you start a thread anytime your heart desires. You have such good things to say every time you post. You are much needed here on this forum and I am very glad that you are here to the extent that you are.

As for the chat experience, I would love to join you in a chat anytime. Just let me know. I can be patient with any slow typing too. Don't worry about that. Just let me know if you are interested in chatting with me. OK?? We could get a few people if you like, that way all the typing isnt dependent on you. Or we could do one on one . It's up to you.

Hang in there, my good friend.

Lindaloo
Posted 5/9/2009 7:17 PM (GMT 0)

Skeye...........I do hope that fentanyl patch will work for you, I personally think those patches are scary, they can be really effective for some people but it is so difficult to get the right amount of pain relief with them. ( everyone seems to absorb the medication differently and at different rates with those patches) and you have to be so careful so the person doesn't get to much and OD! and that can be really tricky! Skeye if you one of those individuals that opioids have no affect on, you really could be in a difficult situation to get adequate pain relief! I sure hope they can just find out what is going on with your eye so they can accurately treat it! Make sure you keep us posted about what you find out. I do wish I had some kind of magic that would make your pain go away along with everyone elses!

PALady ........I had the endoscope and coloscopy done at the sametime in the spring of 08, it was a piece of cake! The prep is always the most difficult part!  But just don't forget, just before you have it done to request that they please do the Endoscope first first! smilewinkgrin    I hope you have a great weekend visiting with your friends from California,  One more thing, just because you tell me not to worry doesn't me mean that I won't! wink I worry about all of you here, no matter what! I just wish I could do more than just worry!

Lindaloo ..........I know what you mean about the EMG studies I don't really like getting them either, there is actually two parts to it, the part where they monitor the electrical signal of the muscles at rest and then again  when they are contracted. The other part, and this is the one that I hated the most, is the Nerve conduction study where the nerve is stimulated by a mild electric shock and they measure the time between the stimulation and the response. To me that was always the bad one! I had one done measuring the electrical activity of the muscle in my tongue, they stuck the needle  up in where the top of your neck and the botton of your jaw meets, that soft part where a llot of people have the double chin, they stuck the long needle electrode up into the muscle at the bas of my tongue and then had me move my tongue.  Surprisingly that wasn't all that bad, not comfortable mind you but nat as bad as the nerve conduction study! It does make you cringe when you start to think about though! smhair   I will agree with you 100% though the personality of the person adminstering the test makes all the difference I the world! Like I mentioned to Gretchen maybe I will give the chat another try! Lindaloo Thank-You for all your support, everyone here is just so kind and caring!

You guys really are my friends and family!

White Beard

Posted 5/11/2009 8:48 PM (GMT 0)
White Beard, I know what you mean about being scared about the patches. I am too. Actually, terrified might be a better word (I'm pretty much scared of all pain medication, but had to get over that once it became absolutely necessary). However, this is really one of my last options before we either explore even nastier options (like ketamine infusions, which terrify me to a different level) or give up/run out of ideas (which is also terrifying), so I am willing to try it. Plus it should tell us once and for all whether or not I even respond to opioids. I'm still on a pretty low dose compared to the level I was at with oral medication, previously, but we are slowly but steadily increasing. Although, I must say, that I fear the worst. I'm trying to stay optimistic, but we increased a decent amount this weekend, and today I'm having just a horrible day pain wise.

Skeye
Posted 5/11/2009 9:40 PM (GMT 0)
White Beard, Just saw your thread and first wanted to say Thanks, The waiting is hard, my neurologist called to
ask me to come in sooner, don't know if that's good, but still the waiting is aweful, I will hope that you don't have MS
If my pituitary has grown then it could be a tumor, and I don't particully like the idea of surgery, not when my daughter
is about to graduate from High School, she's my little miracle (she had open heart surgery at just 12 days of life) she's
come a long way in just 18 years and exceeded the doctors expectations (sp?) and all, anyways..good luck to you
whitebeard and I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers...
soft hugz...
((((((((((((((((((((((((White Beard))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
Posted 5/12/2009 5:05 AM (GMT 0)
Awww White Beard....I'm so sorry you're having to go through all of this. MRI's, along with the rest of the test, are just miserable. But hopefully they will get some answers and help for you so you can regain some quality in your life. You more than deserve it!

One thing I'll pass on... mostly for others because your problem with MRI's is the pain factor...if being in an MRI creeps you out there's an easy solution that some places don't use. Cover your eyes! If you can't see how close the walls are then it doesn't bother you...or not as bad. That was the issue I had the first time. By the time I got out of there I was mentally about to snap! So next time I said something and the tech offered to cover my eyes with a clean cloth/towel. Worked like a charm. The place I go to now has wonderful flax filled eye pillows and you get to keep it to take home. Makes a world of difference for me anyway. I still have some pain issues from laying on my back..not as severe as you, White Beard, but I'm sure it's not comfortable for many people. We're often trying to find the source of our pain so go figure...lol

OK, enough babbling...
Chutzie
Posted 5/12/2009 5:12 AM (GMT 0)
White Beard,
Have you heard any results from the MRI yet? Just wondering how you're doing.

PaLady
Posted 5/12/2009 6:01 AM (GMT 0)
Chartreux I gues your daughter is special! Isn't it a miracle what they can do? open Heart surgery on a 12 day old baby Wow! And now she is graduating? You have ever right to be proud! I do hope for you that you don't have to have surgery on your pituitary gland, that is a very delicate surgery! It sounds like you also have allot going on! I do hope things work out well for you and you get to go to that Graduation!

Chutzie when I get an MRI any more I alway close my eyes and actually I try my best to sleep if I can or try and put my mind some where else! Anymore the MRI machine are much faster than what they were 10 years ago! This Friday I get to do it again on my Thorasic spine. If I get it done!

PALady I haven't heard anything yet, I should have called my Doctor today but I didn't, last night I put my cervical collar on, and took an extra percocet! The pain in my left arm has increase immensely and now it not only goes from my left elbow down into my hand and fingers but also up the back of my left upper arm and into my shoulder, and it is very intense in the back of my left upper arm, and it is also affecting my right forearm and hand! I am getting a little concerned, as it gives me some stabbing pain when I turn my head to the left! I know I should but I just hate calling my Doctor but I know I need to anyway!
You know you guys have been so good to me, I Thank You all for caring so much! I can't begin to tell you how much it means to me and how it makes me feel! There are just no words to express my feelings!
I Thank-You ALL!!

White Beard
Posted 5/12/2009 7:16 AM (GMT 0)
White Beard,
The giving around here is mutual and a two way street (multiple lanes! :-) ) so you give a lot of caring to me and everyone else here, too.

I'm a little concerned with those symptoms you're reporting, and my hunch is you are, too. I know the reluctance to call the doctor. Sometimes I almost don't want to know anything new! Or have to add pills or treatments. I almost passed on the screening colonoscopy but figured since they were doing one end I might as well get it over with! Those shooting pains you're having...I hope you at least make a phone call tomorrow!

I'm like you with the MRI. I've learned (the hard way) just to close my eyes as I'm being rolled in the tube and not to open them until I'm on my way out. Every now and then I peek, but realize that's not a good idea! smilewinkgrin

Hugs,

PaLady

Post Edited (PAlady) : 5/12/2009 1:19:11 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/12/2009 7:17 AM (GMT 0)
Whitebeard I know I've been off the forum for a week or two. Pain and work has been killing me.

I'm so sorry you have been feeling more pain, its already hard enough to deal with the levels of pain then to add more pain!!!!

Wow so many appts!!! Man oh Man hopefully you will get an answer so that you can find a solution.
Posted 5/12/2009 12:45 PM (GMT 0)
W.B.> Sorry I've been so out of touch lately! I am home from work again today and trying to catch up on everyones posts. What you have in your neck, shoulder, arm & hand is so much like what I had prior to my surgery, it sounds like a thread I wrote two months ago!!! I hope it's not and something less serious but you should hear something today, right? I'm so bunged up now thinking about you in that horrable pain! Please let us know ASAP after you find out anything! I'll be watching for your reply like a Great blue Heron watches fish near the shore of a pond! Sorry again I haven't been around for support> Been off in Peteworld again but I'm getting better now.
Your Bud,
Pete
PS> Saw that picture of you OMG!!! What a Great Beard!! If I was able to grow one like that?? Man do I envy that big white bush!!! It's awsome! You wear it well too!
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