Guest guest Posted August 22, 2002 Report Share Posted August 22, 2002 Hi guys! Lately I've just lurked here on occasion - but today I saw a " super specialist " according to my other doctors and he clearly did not understand how I could " still " be working and driving based on the appearance of my MRI. He wants another MRI, more blood tests, and a spinal tap. I'd appreciate hearing from anyone about whether this is a good idea.... Thanks! Anne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 22, 2002 Report Share Posted August 22, 2002 Anne, What did he say it was? MSA does not require a spinal tap, so maybe he feels it is not MSA. I would ask why a spinal tap is needed personally. If he gives you a good reason for it, then you may want to go ahead. The MRI could be looking for a specific part of the brain. Blood tests could be looking for infection. Take care, Bill Werre =================================== > > > Date: 2002/08/22 Thu PM 06:21:15 CDT > To: shydrager > Subject: Spinal tap? > > Hi guys! Lately I've just lurked here on occasion - but today I saw a > " super specialist " according to my other doctors and he clearly did > not understand how I could " still " be working and driving based on the > appearance of my MRI. > > He wants another MRI, more blood tests, and a spinal tap. I'd > appreciate hearing from anyone about whether this is a good idea.... > > Thanks! > > Anne > > > If you do not wish to belong to shydrager, you may > unsubscribe by sending a blank email to > > shydrager-unsubscribe > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 22, 2002 Report Share Posted August 22, 2002 Ann: Bob had a spinal tap before he was dx with msa. The dr. had no clue what was wrong with him & thought the spinal tap would show something. It came back negative. He also had many mri's & CAT scans which were negative. But of course we all know there is no specific test for msa. Regards, jerrie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 22, 2002 Report Share Posted August 22, 2002 Anne, I just had this explained to me today. If you do not respond well to meds and the MRI's show a decrease in signal strenght in the midbrain area and atrophy of the brain stem, then doing a spinal tap would be for the purpose of assertaining what the csf pressure is. If it is high then there is something other than the PD+ syndrome going on. Actually having the lumbar puncture while having a headache would increase the value of the results. After the test, if the headache and some of the PD+ like symptooms go away, then it is a CSF flow problem. If you get a terrible headache afterwards and the symptoms get temporarly worse, then the CSF problem is ruled out and you go back to dealing with the symptoms as best you can. If indeed it is a CSF problem, then a shunt could make the PD+ symptoms go away. Hot info from my doc's brain to your email. Hugs and Warm Fuzzies, Deborah aka Tenacity > Anne, > > What did he say it was? MSA does not require a spinal tap, so maybe he feels it is not MSA. I would ask why a spinal tap is needed personally. If he gives you a good reason for it, then you may want to go ahead. The MRI could be looking for a specific part of the brain. Blood tests could be looking for infection. > > Take care, Bill Werre > > =================================== > > > > From: " anneamy2000 " > > Date: 2002/08/22 Thu PM 06:21:15 CDT > > To: shydrager@y... > > Subject: Spinal tap? > > > > Hi guys! Lately I've just lurked here on occasion - but today I saw a > > " super specialist " according to my other doctors and he clearly did > > not understand how I could " still " be working and driving based on the > > appearance of my MRI. > > > > He wants another MRI, more blood tests, and a spinal tap. I'd > > appreciate hearing from anyone about whether this is a good idea.... > > > > Thanks! > > > > Anne > > > > > > If you do not wish to belong to shydrager, you may > > unsubscribe by sending a blank email to > > > > shydrager-unsubscribe@y... > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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