My spine.

[deniseannette]

Hello Everyone,

I posted here a couple days ago. I was basically a hysterical mess. I had a few symptoms that really made me worry. I still have a muscle twitching mainly in the right calf muscle. I today it started to feel kind of limp and numb-like. I did have a bit of a foot drop. I do understand though that my symptoms don't come on that fast. Maybe I just didn't notice it..

I went to the hospital a couple days ago and got some blood work done. My b12, potassium, magnesium, vitamin D and electrolytes were fine. Then I got some x rays done of my spine. I would like to tell you all the results


CERVICAL SPINE:
There is a reversal of the normal cervical lordosis with mild kyphosis centred in the lower cervical spine.

There is moderate to severe left C4-C5 and mild left C3-C4 neural foraminal stenosis. Remainder of the disc spaces, vertebral body height, ailgnments and neural foramina are normal

CONCLUSION: dominant finding is left C4-C5 neural foraminal are normal.
------------------------
THORACIC SPINE:
There is mild dextroscoliosis centred in the mid thoracic spine. There is increased kphosis in the thoracic spine. There is no fracture, no focal bony lesion

CONCLUSION: scoliosis and kyphosis
-----------------
LUMBAR SPINE:
There is mild levescoliosis centred in the mid lumbar spine. There is moderate disc space narrowing at L5-S1. Remainder of the disc spaces, vertebral body heights, and aligments are well maintained. There is no spondylolysis, fracture no bony lesion. SI joints are normal.

CONCLUSION: scoliosis
--------------

The doctor was really shocked. He said I was really young to have this. It may have been a birth defect. I'm praying it's not degeneration. She said that i basically had arthritis. It does run in my family. It was a great birthday surprise . I'll be 22 on Sunday.

I was wondering if any of you had any spinal problems before ALS diagnosis? I'm scared out of mind. I'm scared that my legs are the first thing that are going to go.

I waiting to speak to a surgeon.

 

[notme]

You have some mega scoliosis going on and probably a ruptured L5 disc (based on narrowed space seen on x-ray) All of that points AWAY from ALS, though.

Your next stop needs to be to a neurosurgeon or ortho specialist for MRI's of the spine. Your issues are likely going to be there--not ALS.

Good luck!

 

[deniseannette]

Mega scoliosis is right! i didn't even know. Its crazy. Maybe that's whats causing the muscle twitching and headaches. I have problems breathing when i'm sleeping too. I wake up shaking with internal tremors. Hopefully this is the cause and surgery won't be too painful.

 

[notme]

Hi

Your breathing at night might warrant a sleep study--but with 3 regions of scoliosis, it could be that, I suppose. I think, generally, they try braces first--since you're still really young.

Either way--see your GP for a referral to a good neurosurgeon and mention the breathing issues--sleep apnea is also possible and can make you feel like crap when you wake up.

 

[deniseannette]

yeah, definitely going to do a sleep study. I actually had a pretty good night sleep surprisely last night.

It just confuses me that someone my age has degenerative disc disease and such major scoliosis. My doctor said that I'm so young to have these things. If i have the surgery I hope it helps. I'm so sad. Stenosis is also caused by degeneration most of the time too.

 

[js58]

Hi.You aren't alone with this. Our son, 24 years old, found out through an MRI he has degenerative arthritis throughout his spine. He played football in high school, is a runner and in great physical condition. Age doesn't matter with arthritis. He is doing well at this time and is more aware of what makes it worse. Hope this helps.

 

[deniseannette]

Thanks for your response! I'm really not that active of a person. That's why I was so confused. My right calf is now very weak and twitchy. The twitching has now moved up to my right thigh. I can barely walk on it and I can't stand in one place for too long. I woke this morning with a heavy arm. It kind of felt swollen.

I thought i would get a little bit more feedback on here orsome reassurance. I came on here because I was had no one to turn too and I thought this was a supportive place. But thanks to evryone that did respond to my post. I plan on seeing an orthopedic doctor and neurosurgeon in the nearby future!

 

[notme]

HI

While it's possible you were born with the spine issues, it's also possible something caused them. Definitely don't give up on looking for answers. It's going to be difficult for them to weed out what symptoms are being caused by what.

When I went to the ALS clinic last week, I was told that my spinal issues confused things--for just that reason. The only definitive way to see if there is damage to the msucles and/or nerves is via EMG/NCV.

Don't feel like you're being blown off, here, hon. You're not. The problem is no one here can tell you whether your symptoms are from your back or something else.

Certainly continue in your search for answers! Any surgery should be held off until MND is ruled OUT--again, this is from the neuro I saw at the ALS clinic.

 

[Alyoop]

Denise, just because you have not had many replies, does not mean that people have not both read, and contemplated a response. If someone responds, and answers a persons question well, then a respose just saying the same thing, or giving the same advice is a bit of a waste of time. Remember some people responding, have the use of only a finger or a head mouse.

 

[trfogey]

I thought i would get a little bit more feedback on here orsome reassurance. I came on here because I was had no one to turn too and I thought this was a supportive place. But thanks to evryone that did respond to my post. I plan on seeing an orthopedic doctor and neurosurgeon in the nearby future!

What kind of reassurance were you expecting to get from us? You have an orthopedic problem, not ALS. None of us are orthopedists and I doubt that anyone here studies orthopedics or neurosurgery as a hobby, so you are looking in the wrong place for your answers.

As to whether this is a supportive place or not, most of us who answer posts in this forum prefer to spend our supportive energies on those who actually have one of the MNDs as an actual or differential diagnosis. You don't and, at this point, you aren't likely to have such a diagnosis, actual or differential, so, once again, you are looking in the wrong place for your needs.

Find yourself an online forum that deals with your actual problem -- not your imagined one -- and you'll get the answers and support you need.

Good luck to you.

 

[deniseannette]

Oh yes, I understand and I apologize. I was just frustrated and sad. I'm going to take the steps to finding a diagnosis. Im going to get some tests done tomorrow.