ALS or cervical stenosis?

[CuriousGirl]

the stenosis is severe per my neuro doc in C2-T1 plus lots arthritis. this could be causing the atrophy that began in my left hand 4 years ago. it's in my right now. wrists are weak continuing to atrophy. my arms are weak up to biceps. i'm so tired after any activity i feel like i weigh a ton.

neuro doc practically insists it's als.

anyway, i'm going soon for 2nd opinion on stenosis surgery. 1st neuro doc says surgery could bring on als quicker and worse, but it could be helpful.

while at pre-op visit with surgeon, he told us that my neuro doc changed his mind and didnt think surgery was a good idea.

so i called to ask neuro doc why the sudden change in opinion? i didn't understand his answer.

then the surgeon's office called to say the surgeon wants a 2nd opinion...thats scheduled on 4/26.

any experience with surgeries from anybody?

(hope this makes sense. i've posted before but can never find any of them or any replies.)

 

[Nighthawk]

Hi,

I don't know much about what cervical stenosis is but my guess is that when a main nerve that emerges right from the spine gets pinched at the spine level, any muscle or group of muscles it nourishes is going to be affected. Those muscles nourished by it are going to die and atrophy.
It's the same when your Ulnar Nerve gets pinched at elbow level; it nourishes the muscles of the hand, and the inability to nourish those muscles because it's pinched will translate in hand atrophy.

I have never been into a surgery room in my life so I cannot speak about it.

If I am incorrect in some way about some of the things that I stated above, I didn't mean to misinform you or misguide you.
Perhaps other forum members with more insight on the subject will chime in soon with some answers for you.


Regards,


NH

 

[Nikki J]

My sister started with right hand weakness and ended up having surgery for cervical stenosis it did not help and within three months started with symptoms in her other extremities and she received als diagnosis. She has progressed quite quickly. I would absolutely seek a second opinion before surgery and possibly a third. Is your neuro an ALS specialist? You definitely need one
Good luck

 

[johnnyliverpool1]

what happened to me may give you some insight...at least some food for thought....my probs started in the legs...mri showed cervical myelopathy..plus left arm problem, possibly caused by the neck........i had symptoms you describe...all this can be caused by the neck probs......so a operation on the neck would sort me out, yes............but no........neuros said neck was not responsible for symptoms and that prob was somewhere else in the spine but they dont know were....that is now were i stand......my probs have gotten worse, i.e right hand and more disablement....further too, it seems that the cervical mylopathy my be a result of the something in the spine rather than the neck....i.e. spasticity causing the neck myelopathy...........hope this makes sense.....johnny

 

[hjlindley]

My problems started in my right hand. They relocated the ulnar nerve, and the hand got better. Then the hand started to get bad again. Off to the hand Center at UVA promptly sent me to neurosurgery. The neurosurgeon definitely saw something in my neck. But pinched nerves hurt and I'd have no pain. He was actually the 1st one that mentioned ALS. Back to neurology, no diagnosis, so we fused the last 2 cervical vertebrae the 1st thoracic vertebra. And the hand got better for a while. I think what often happens is we have orthopedic problems going on at the same time the ALS is starting. The thing that confuse the neurosurgeon was the lack of nerve pain.
Hope that helps.
Hollister

 

[vickim]

Curiousgirl

If you go to your member page(click on your name) then go to stastics, you can see all your threads and posts. Then you can see the responses too.

Good luck on your appt.

 

[johnnyliverpool1]

what i was patheticaly trying to say was...........motor probs in the brain and or spine can cause, via spasticity , changes in the spine..........a chicken and the egg situation...johnny...........but then again, what do i know...also through the resultant contractures changes in any joint affected.......phew, am gonna stop digging this hole now.

 

[pearshoot]

i was initially sent to hand surgeon for carpal tunnel, she said no there is something else going on here and sent me back to neuro, neuro then said, i suspect als

 

[oscar1]

Johnny you make perfect sense and unlike most neuros your willing to try and make sense for no fee at all - god bless

 

[berniec74]

get multiple opinions...i actually had spinal fusion surgery for a very specific issue in my lower back...i never equated the left leg fatigue and slight atrophyt to anything more than my back was messed up...post-op visits to my orthopedic were the red flags...leg never got better....after 3 opinions I was diagnosed with ALS, however, my spinal fusion surgery was legitimate and necessary and separate but at the time nobody would have had reason to separate it. since my als diagnosis i have done well...no further progression to date and my 1 year post-op spinal fusion visit was fantastic! surgeon showed me my x-rays...screws in place...fusion happening...he too was shocked at the diagnosis but he was also the one who sent me on to get it checked on knowing that the surgery was not causing the additional symptoms i was having...long story tried to keep it short...just check everything! don't make assumptions and get MULTIPLE opinions!