Hello all,
Firstly thanks to those who will read this.
I’ve alread been diagnosed with chronic lumbar arthritis nearly two years ago, this was shown on an MRI scan at the time. I was naturally put on different forms of medication to relieve the pain. However, having visited the doctors no end of times, and attending pain management classes etc, my symptoms started to change. One brilliant doctor noticed that along with my back pain I may have been showing some neurogical symptoms.
On a daily basis I get spasms in my back and in my legs. The spasms themselves feel like sports cramps and I know it sounds daft but I almost feel like I want to punch my legs to loosen them up. On numerous occasions if I raise a leg slightly to put a sock on or cross my legs they begin to wave, if that makes sense. My big toe on the right foot is numb,naturally I put this down to sciatica due to my back. I also have trouble writing, when i say that it’s due to sudden moves in my hand. The shock like spasms are really annoying.
I have a daily headache, it’s very dull but gives me the horrible nausea feeling. I’ll also admit I’ve been having a few tears recently, thats something I have never done due to being in a roughty tufty type of job, the last time was at the birth of my daughter 17 years ago!.
Memory wise I have to say that this is really worrying me. I have a job that requires me to use my brain heavily, however, more recently I cannot seem to take as much information in. I try to read things that were once very simple but it just doesn’t register, as such I have to keep reading it, even emails are harder to read. It’s a funny thing to say but I almost feel outside of myself.
Another problem is vision. On a daily basis I seem to get foggy eyes, it’s a bit like when you wake and have the usual sleepy eyes before you wash or shower/bath etc. The problem with my eyes seems to be mainly in my left eye, however, on many occasions when I try to focus it’s almost like I’m going bozz eyed, I then move away and try to re-focus again.
In thr shared office where I work I feel distant, more focused on my body than listening to others. Again it’s like the outside looking in kind of feeling.
Fatigue is also a big issue. although I am on strong pain medication I am far more tired now, I have dasy when a bath and a shave are hard. On many occasions I have to lay down for a while.
Going back to the brilliant doctor I saw. Due to the symptoms I was showing an MRI was arranged for my head. The result of the MRI showed pericallosal high signal lesions, raising the suspicion of inflammatory aetiology. Dueto this a Lumbar Puncture has been arranged for me at Colchester General Hospital. I don’t mind saying that I’m not looking forward to that, just about everyone I’ve spoken to says it’s awful!.
I also have a concern that I won’t be able to put the aforementioned symptoms across.
Could someone tell me if the symptoms I mentioned look like MS. Also could anyone tell me about the Lumbar Puncture procedure itself, do you get the chance to tell the people doing the procedure how you feel too?. Is it worth keeping a diary and giving it to them?.
It’s a very worrying period of my life, no doubt you are or were worried about the symptoms and diagnosis. I appreciate any help you could give me with regards to what the symptoms look like and the lumbar puncture.
Thanks very much
