Neuro Appointment Results: Call and ReSpondylosis

Hello all,

My recent doctor visit has revealed several things.

1. Tysabri has officially caused one side effect: Herpes. Since the symptoms recurred twice within a month--after my first Ty infusion--I now have to take acyclovir every day for eternity.

2. I did some major whining about the weakness caused by 40mg of Baclofen. Doc added Flexeril for spasticity and reduced the Baclofen dosage by half. Let's hope that does the trick. If it works, I can start exercising again.

3. My lumbar MRI revealed Spondylosis, a degenerative spine disease, which has caused enlarged facet joints and three bulging discs in the lumbar and sacral spine. This has caused some confusion. My left side limbs have weakened considerably, with nonexistent reflexes in the foot and increased numbness all around. But my doc cannot tell if this is caused by the Spondylosis in L-5 or by MS. So....

4. I will be getting an EMG in left arm and leg. This should settle that question once and for all.


What did I get from all of this? A bulging disc and nerve impingement in L-5 is bad ju-ju. Doc expounded at length about that particular vertebra and the mayhem that ensues when it becomes sick. I do not recommend it. This condition can worsen over the years. The irony is that this disease could be causing me more grief than MS.

After reading up on anthropology, it seems that the modern human spine is ill-equipped for longevity. Our ability to stand upright makes for a fragile spine and pelvis. Ape and Neanderthal bones are stout and sturdy.

Maybe I could get a monkey spine transplant when the time comes for surgery?

Kim