a little back ground on my husband 47 .. very fit ... we have been married just a year..reconnected after 22 years .. so beginning of this prior to a year or so ago is
what i have been told .... i have been very active in his care since i have been in the picture.. nothing makes sense ... things he was able to do a year ago to what he can do today is shocking * it has been extremely difficult to get him to use a cane.."doesnt work " or to use a wheel chair... finally he will use chair at home *
*he was diagnosed with spinal stinosis in his 20's during a routine work physical ... had no idea he had it or any physical problems
* had a back fall to his back in his early 30's but recovered in a couple days .. not broken.. just sore
* about 8 years ago walking started getting a little hard... sore back .. a little hunched
* regularly ..as in every 6 months goes to general dr ... has for years however dr just check cholesterol and gave him tramadol
* orthopedic dr sent him for cortisone shots in his lower back ... no changes ... husband believes he is just riddled with arthritis
* no balance ...orthopedic dr sent him to specialist..ear infection
* as of aug 2011 ...... new round of cortisone in back..nothing
* continued neropathy in both feet up to ankles ... no feeling in finger tips... falls OFTEN .. drs comment on skinny legs ... jumping & fidgety in bed so he cant sleep
* can hardly walk.......
* feb 2012 he was unable to walk like his job required so he was moved to a desk job after 20 years of employment..
* june 2012 went to general dr to request wheelchair for home use but dr wanted to just give more pain meds & didnt want to fill out paperwork..too much to fill out
so he wanted to refer us to physical therapist to do it ............ we ended our relationship on spot with dr
* July 2012 new general dr very concerned .. " you are so fit & young ..we need to start from scratch & see what this is ... did a few reflex test .."touch my finger touch your nose" .......... husband failed miserably
* aug 2012 orthopedic dr thinks surgery is in order ... on neck... relieve pressure on discs ...
surgery nov 2012 ....... no difference in balance walk or reflexes
* there was an abnormality found on brain mri that was done prior to surgery ....... our appointment to see general dr isnt scheduled until jan 21 due to holidays...
i couldnt wait so i stopped into dr office asking for a walker & about scan ............
dr came out & talked to me ... she was concerned the surgery was not the answer ...said no brain tumor..that is what i was afraid of ......
& said
" i dont want to scare you but you MUST have him make appointment with neurologist ...... this is bigger than me & i need a team .. this could be ms or als *
i had NO IDEA i didnt even think it could be ... i was told it was bad back ..arthritis ... never has anyone led me to believe ms or als ..... he went to dr every 6 months for years &
said dr never said a word about my husbands awkward flat footed walk as he wobbled trying to plan each step & placement of hands for guidance and support...
but it make sense ...
this is beyond a bad back
he is not getting better .......... progressively worse .. we are going to our first neurology appointment the 28th ..
wondering one : any questions i should ask? what is first appointment like ? what do you think of these symptoms?
thank you *
what i have been told .... i have been very active in his care since i have been in the picture.. nothing makes sense ... things he was able to do a year ago to what he can do today is shocking * it has been extremely difficult to get him to use a cane.."doesnt work " or to use a wheel chair... finally he will use chair at home *
*he was diagnosed with spinal stinosis in his 20's during a routine work physical ... had no idea he had it or any physical problems
* had a back fall to his back in his early 30's but recovered in a couple days .. not broken.. just sore
* about 8 years ago walking started getting a little hard... sore back .. a little hunched
* regularly ..as in every 6 months goes to general dr ... has for years however dr just check cholesterol and gave him tramadol
* orthopedic dr sent him for cortisone shots in his lower back ... no changes ... husband believes he is just riddled with arthritis
* no balance ...orthopedic dr sent him to specialist..ear infection
* as of aug 2011 ...... new round of cortisone in back..nothing
* continued neropathy in both feet up to ankles ... no feeling in finger tips... falls OFTEN .. drs comment on skinny legs ... jumping & fidgety in bed so he cant sleep
* can hardly walk.......
* feb 2012 he was unable to walk like his job required so he was moved to a desk job after 20 years of employment..
* june 2012 went to general dr to request wheelchair for home use but dr wanted to just give more pain meds & didnt want to fill out paperwork..too much to fill out
so he wanted to refer us to physical therapist to do it ............ we ended our relationship on spot with dr
* July 2012 new general dr very concerned .. " you are so fit & young ..we need to start from scratch & see what this is ... did a few reflex test .."touch my finger touch your nose" .......... husband failed miserably
* aug 2012 orthopedic dr thinks surgery is in order ... on neck... relieve pressure on discs ...
surgery nov 2012 ....... no difference in balance walk or reflexes
* there was an abnormality found on brain mri that was done prior to surgery ....... our appointment to see general dr isnt scheduled until jan 21 due to holidays...
i couldnt wait so i stopped into dr office asking for a walker & about scan ............
dr came out & talked to me ... she was concerned the surgery was not the answer ...said no brain tumor..that is what i was afraid of ......
& said
" i dont want to scare you but you MUST have him make appointment with neurologist ...... this is bigger than me & i need a team .. this could be ms or als *
i had NO IDEA i didnt even think it could be ... i was told it was bad back ..arthritis ... never has anyone led me to believe ms or als ..... he went to dr every 6 months for years &
said dr never said a word about my husbands awkward flat footed walk as he wobbled trying to plan each step & placement of hands for guidance and support...
but it make sense ...
this is beyond a bad back
he is not getting better .......... progressively worse .. we are going to our first neurology appointment the 28th ..
wondering one : any questions i should ask? what is first appointment like ? what do you think of these symptoms?
thank you *