Could my sister have MS or herniated disc?

Question

My sister had been having back pain (upper back, between her shoulder blades) as well as some lumps around her spine in that area. Then she started to have numbness. Her whole hand and arm. Then a leg. This would last for the entire day. She thought she was having a migraine headache (my mother and I suffer from those types of migraines with numbness and vision loss). We thought she was just having some sort of stroke/migraine because she too had experienced blurred vision with the numbness. She went to the ER and they told her to come back the following Monday for an MRI and that is was probably a herniated disc. But she did some internet research and discovered her symptoms are similar to MS. She is scared to go in and be diagnosed because her husband plans on switching jobs and thus insurance will change and she doesnt want to not be covered by this new insurance with a pre-existing condition if it is MS (We've heard that the meds can be $37,000 a month)

Answer 1

"My sister had been having back pain (upper back, between her shoulder blades Then she started to have numbness. Her whole hand and arm. Then a leg. This would last for the entire day  "

Your sister probably does have a herniated disk or bulging disk. Even if it is out of alignment, then these symptoms can be found.  

Her whole hand and arm, did she fall ???

(she may have an pinch by her elbow )

She may have a lower back problem too for her leg to be numb.

I thing the best bet would be to go to a neurologist

he can do all  of this.

I would suggest having the MRI's

Head, with and without contrast

Neck  with and with out contrast

upperbackwith and without contrast

thoracic with and without contrast

low back with and without contrast

Instead of driving yourself crazy-ASK when you go for these MRI's to have a REPORT FAXED to your home or sent to your home.  All you need to do is sign a consent form for them to do this.

this way you can read what the findings are.

EMG on arm that is numb and leg and

head (due to migraines and numbness)

The migraines may not be migraines at all. It could be caused by herniated disks  and an inflammed Occipital nerve (even the trigeminal nerve)

ASK ahead of time to  the insurance company, if they allow you to continue a plan on your own, if there is an employment change.  Most  allow family members to pay themselves if they really want to continue the plan so that you are not without.  OR they have a transition period  there are provisions... .. Especially if you have been with them  for a while... they dont want to lose customers irregardless.

I did this: When I was hurt at work, I had the option of continuing my insurance even when I was not working  I could continue insurance with the same company.   I was amazed! I jsut had to pay the full premium - instead of the employer paying their part.

Please check into it!!

and well IF she does turn out to have MS, she would qualify for Social Security Disability and then get Medicare. and not be with out

I want to keep this positive and say that she doesnt have MS.

What you dont say is - HAS SHE HAD ANY INJURIES - to her neck,upper, middle and lower back?

EVERYTHING that you describe, I can relate to.  I can give a lot of insight.  I have dealt with this for 22 + years and I am willing to share treatments and medications...

Let's keep this positive and say she does not have MS.

I wouldn't believe it if the Dr said it was.without a lot of testing, . they would have to prove it to me. after numerous tests .

My best friend in HS was told she had MS -- come to find out she had herniated disks.

She needs physical therapy of some sort - whether it be with a Chiropractor or Physical therapist and then some swimming (pool therapy) on her own.. She can feel better soon and with MINIMAL meds!

My thoughts are this:

a)disk in her neck is out - and she has an inflammed Occipital nerve and/or trigeminal nerve depends on where she is having the numbness.

b) the disk in her neck can also cause numbness in her arm and hand  or if she banged her elbow there is a pinched nerve at her elbow and that can easily be tested with a EMG

c) Middle back (thoracic spine) can cause arm problems too -causing the neck to be out of alignment / migraines

d) sciatic or lowerback disk out L5-S1 area for numbness in the legs



The migrain / head pain and numbness -top of my head to the back of my neck to feeling like I wish someone would poke out my eyes  -the pain is miserable. I found out i had Occipital neuralgia - i had injured my neck this pain can be awful  When I tried topomax and other migraine meds..with opoor results  they found this to be the cause.

YES believe me I though the same thing -- I MUST have MS it sounds like it word for word... Thank God for now it is not.

I think it is admirable if you to be concerned and ask

i also have other reasons for other problems, but that is on a need to know -ok This isnt about ME ...

If you would like ... add me and let's chat