Last couple of days after waking I have a sore neck from top to prob between my shoulder blades. I had 1 relapse 5 years ago. I remember the neurologist saying if I bend my neck down there would be a pain there and there was. Now it feels slightly the same but is constant. It worsens when I put my neck down but can still feel it without the level of pain I would say is a 3/4 out of 10. I go to Spain tomorrow and am worried this is the start of a relapse! Would it be more like an electric shock feeling if it was lhermittes? I suffer from anxiety and as I’m sure youve all been there I am undiagnosed and always think everything I have is down to ms!
L’Hermitte’s sign describes electrical buzzing sensations in the limbs and body brought on by movement of the neck. These sensations are known as paraesthesia and include tingling, buzzing, electrical shocks, partial numbness and sharp pains. L’Hermitte’s is most often triggered by lowering the head so that the chin touches the chest. The sensations usually only last for a second or two. It has been called the “barber shop” symptom because it is often evoked when the hairdresser asks you to lower your head when he or she shaves the back of your neck.
L’Hermitte’s is associated with a number of conditions including arthritis, cervical spondylosis, disc compression, pernicious anaemia, tumours and multiple sclerosis. In many cases, the cause cannot be found.
Because the cervical spinal cord is a frequent target for multiple sclerosis it is a very common symptom of MS. Aproximately two thirds of people with multiple sclerosis experience L’Hermitte’s symptom at some point during the course of their disease.
In MS, L’Hermitte’s is an indicator of lesions in the cervical spine (the part of spine in the neck). Movement of the neck causes the damaged nerves (the demyelinated neurons) to be stretched and send erroneous signals. The symptoms can occur anywhere below the neck and many people with MS find that it moves around their body from one day to the next.
If you’re going to Spain; don’t forget your EHIC Card, on saying that I see Spain you’re not eligible. Probably due to BREXIT; so make sure you have good travel insurance.
Good luck
Thanks for your reply. I’ve taken pain killers and applied deep heat to area and the pain/ache has almost gone away so not sure if it is related.