Docs...opinion and referral if you can
 

In the last month or so I have lost feeling of hot and cold in my right hand, arm, shoulder, chest and back. My hand is slightly numb and I get feelings of elec shock in the hand when I do certain things. I've been seeing a neurologist here in my smallish town but really think I need a referral to a more high power person in Sacramento or San Fran. I have had three MRI's of the cervical spine and brain..with and without contrast. At first I was told it was likely a tumor or congenital wad of blood vessels (AVM it's called) but now they think it is a demeyelinating condition similar to MS...possibly MS.

My symptoms are somewhat progressive and now my left hand is somewhat numb. I have no motor loss or weakness that I can perceive.

If any of you Docs have suggestions, opinions or referrals I'm really in need of some help. I'm 69 years old and would like to arrest this condition if at all possible....what ever it is. My wife is, of course, somewhat freaked but so far I have been able to be somewhat detached and only trying to find answers w/o getting too upset.

Thanks in advance... I know this Brotherhood will help out ;)

sorry to hear that..

are you a lefty /right..
as you said it's getting worse..
you need to move up to some Pro's ...

Rika

I agree that you need a more experienced specialist. The fact that the progression has such a distinctive pattern should help with the diagnosis. Also interesting that it's the sensory nerves, not the motor nerves.

Simultaneously with conventional treatments, I think you should seek alternative treatments -- holistic medicine, acupuncture, etc. -- perhaps not so much for a cure, but as a palliative measure.

__

Thanks you guys. I am right handed and yes, looking for some pros. There are several in Sacramento but I'd like a recommendation for one that some other Dr in the area knows. Perhaps Tobra will chime in...he works at Sutter Med Center. Perhaps I'll PM him...

It is interesting that motor nerves are not involved. There is also no reflex arc which is spinal. If I touch something hot my hand does not suddenly jerk away due to spinal reflex but eventually I feel a deep pain which tells me I should move...it takes several seconds while a spinal reflex should be nano seconds...even before you feel the too hot pan or whatever.

I'm no neurologist but it sounds a lot like Cervical Spondylosis or arthritis of the neck:

Cervical Spondylosis (Arthritis of the Neck)-OrthoInfo - AAOS

I am, however, an Optometrist and as far as MS is concerned, one of the first symptoms that often appear is a sudden painless loss or "dullness" of vision that may last a couple of hours to days. Patients will come in and complain that colours appear very dull or somehow different, "washed out". This usually disappears before long. The Optic Nerve is often one of the first major nerves to be affected by MS.

Cervical Spondylosis can be treated (not cured however) by various exercises.

I hope this helps out Dr.D?

Cheers!

Alex

Thanks Alex. The only occasional eye symptoms I have are so called 'Ocular Migraine'. I did read some of what you suggest online about MS symptoms. My present neuro guy is very concerned and seems sharp enough but a Pro in a larger city would be the next place to go after a CSF tap which happens tomorrow.

Sorry to hear this, Mark. This is not my field at all as these kind of conditions rarely strike my age group of patients. Just a few comments though.

The fact that you have had multiple MR scans with no positive finds is of course very relieving as you have ruled out a number of serious conditions.

The symptoms you describe would perhaps suggest a peripheral polyneuropathy. Its a broad spectrum of variable conditions with even more known causes and risk factors. Infections in the Herpes viral group (several), Lyme disease (often forgotten) and others. You may consider have a lumbal puncture analysis, if not done already. It will pinpoint some causes and rule out yet others.

MS is perhaps possible but it usually manifest itself earlier in life (20-40). The most common forms often starts more like attacks with symptom free intervals although some forms start slowly progressing.

I am certain diabetes has been ruled out long ago.

Yes, I would also suggest a referral to a specialist.

Best of luck!

I'm not a doctor, but I played one as a kid.....

You said it was localized in the right arm/torso only?

Massage, accupuncture, swimming or floating on your back, changing monitor height, forcing better back and shoulder posture, checking glasses perscription, and a firmer bed/pillow woudn't hurt as a start. Take breaks from sitting too long.

Lots of good neurologists. The one I use for family and friends is Kulveen Sachdeva, MD in San Ramon. She is brilliant and a genuinely wonderful person. That's who I would see if it were me. Good luck, Mark.

My father had something similar (mostly in his feet, not his hands) come on around age 65. Diagnosis was spinal stenosis and he had surgery done at the Mayo here to correct it. The surgery seems to have arrested the progress, but it doesn't seem to be returning to normal very quickly (if at all).

I'd go to see Moses's neuro--if for no other reason than to find out what nationality she is. Punjabi? That's a cool name!

Well, I had a lumbar spinal tap today... All went OK and we'll see what it shows. I still want a good second opinion though. They are still assuming MS..

Play your banjo 2 hours in the morning and go fly fishing in the afternoon. Drink 2 glasses of good scotch and 2 aspirin before bed. Repeat as needed.

I guess i wouldn't make a good Doctor, I'd just tell you what you wanted to hear! :)

Take care Mark, hope you get this resolved soon!

Hoping for a good outcome on this, Mark!

Did they do blood work? Low B12 or high homocysteine? Pre diabetes.

Did they do an EMG?

Did they check for Small Fiber Neuropathy?

Best of luck. Hang in there, somebody will get a handle on it.

And if your Doc doesn't write this very prescription, get a new Doc!

Hope it turns out to be nothing serious. Pinched nerve from writing so many checks to fix up that ugly ol' truck!

If you need a spine Doc/ surgeon. Robert Rovner is one of the best. He has offices in San Ramon and Oakland. He is also a Porsche guy and a Ferrari guy and a Lamborghinii guy!

Mitch,
No...none of that yet ? I am still wanting a recommendation for a neuro guy...or gal...in Sac..

Hey ! Just who's truck you callin' ugly :D Man, I'm getting so many compliments on it now... Just a few more things I need to nail down for it to be a real DD.

Hope all works out for you. Get the best care possible.