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Posted 10/11/2015 4:14 AM (GMT 0)
Hi,

You seem to be a great group. I am tired and heartsick so I needed someone to talk to.

I am 47 years old and female with numerous health issues that tend to be undiagnosed. A big one is my low back.

Last April I started with intense pain and then lost function in my right leg. It is not totally dead but my hip and knee is bad and my foot is dropped. The hip and knee are a little better in the morning but after being awake about a half hour my foot does not leave the floor.

My MRI showed a foraminal herniated disc and everyone thought surgery would fix a bulk of the problem and some of the associated pain. An ortho said he would not do the surgery so I saw a neurosurgeon who said that it was not the cause of all of the issues and suggested MS. He will not operate to fix anything.

I have had MRIs that show dymyelination but it does not progress so they say it is not MS.

Right now I am intensely frustrated and sad. Does any of this sound familiar to any of you? I know there is more than one thing at work here.

Raesunshine
Posted 10/11/2015 1:28 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Raesunshine,

Have you had MRIs of the brain and cervical spine (neck)? Those are the most common MRIs when looking for Multiple Sclerosis. Lumbar MRIs are usually used to check for problems other than Multiple Sclerosis. The MRI report will give an "impression" section of possible causes for MRI findings but it not a diagnosis.

I'm not sure why your Dr. felt the herniated Lumbar Disc is not causing your symptoms. Herniated and bulging discs can cause problems from the point of herniation down. Foot drop, pain and problems with gait (walking) can be caused by mechanical (Herniated/bulging discs) back problems. An x-ray is also helpful for detecting mechanical back problems.

You might consider a second opinion from another neurosurgeon. If you are concerned about MS being a possibility you need to see a Neurologist for testing and ruling out of possible other causes. There are many conditions that can cause the same/similar symptoms as those seen in Multiple Sclerosis.

Best wishes!
Posted 10/11/2015 2:09 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Rae,

Welcome to the board. I'm sorry you are struggling. Snoopy has given you some very good advice. My mother has spinal stenosis and she has very similar symptoms to yours. She has been deemed "not a surgical candidate." She has found some success with physical therapy. In my opinion, the symptoms you describe do not sound typical for MS. Besides your drop foot and leg issues, do you have other symptoms?

IF you suspect MS, then do make an appointment with a good neurolgost. If you contact your local MS Society, they can give you the names of local neurlogists who specialize in MS.
Posted 10/11/2015 6:05 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you both so much. If the dymyelination does not progress I take it that it is there for some other reason.

I have struggled with health issues for years - for some reason and when MS started to be suggested, yes a diagnosis would be great but yikes I don't want MS.

I am glad you do not think so but will still be getting further testing. Good luck to your Mom with the stenosis.
Posted 10/11/2015 6:49 PM (GMT 0)
I'm not sure what you mean by "if demyelination does not progress."

Demyelination is a has a very broad meaning and is used as a term in many diseases not just Multiple Sclerosis.

Multiple Sclerosis is a disease of the Central Nervous System(CNS) which includes the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. Lesions can show up in any or all of those areas. Multiple Sclerosis does not cause problems with the vertebra or discs. Low back pain is usually due to mechanical back problems. Multiple Sclerosis does not cause joint damage.

Please do not discount your diagnosed back problem. My husband had his 2nd lumbar surgery this past July. The first surgery in 2008 was done due to a bulging disc. He had low back pain, sciatica, difficulty walking, numbness and tingling in feet. This year he had no back pain but his symptoms were foot drop, pain in his leg, leg giving out and almost lost his ability to walk.

Even if surgery is not recommended for you Physical Therapy(PT) can help decrease symptoms of mechanical back problems.
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