Bilateral spasticity

[m123]

Hi all,

About a month ago I had a strange episode of feeling sort of "on clouds", a little disoriented..These have been happening on and off for a few months but this time was worse..On top of balance/dizziness issues that have also been around for about half a year. Anyhow, After last month's episode I started feeling both hams and calfs on boths sides constantly overflex everytime I move or stretch my legs (so, at night as well as during the day when I stand or move around). Very painful at times and makes standing and driving quite difficult (walking is easier but I feel pain from the overstretching of the tight muscles), though I can still function properly most of the time.
This seems exactly like flexor spasticity but on clinical examination the Neuro said he didnt see it when passively stretching my leg (said its probably very mild if it didnt show up yet). Also some very mild bladder/erection changes.
Neuro did find moderate bilateral deep tendon hyperreflexia and mild ankle clonus.
He said that due to my age (30) its most likely some sort or demyelinating disease if anything.
Sent me to an MRI in three weeks.

Im fearful it might be a spinal tumor or something of the sort (or metastasis, which is more common, being even scarier)..Also been losing weight for some time (though have had stomach issues as well).

It just seems kind of weird that the spasticity would come on so suddenly and relentlessly on both sides like that with ms, isnt it?

So, as people with longstanding ms, how many of you have had bilateral spasticity in the leg flexors? (or, the feeling of spasticity). Would it be rare to come on so suddenly? (Strange as it might sound im sort of hoping that it is ms or a related disease with all the craziness my body has been going through, and not something a lot worse).

Thanks

Michael

[Scott1]

Hi Michael,

It's not unusual but I do think your neuro is taking a casual approach. Did you tell him all the symptoms you have described?

I'm interested in what you described as stomach issues and what you have done about it. Losing weight usually has a cause. I would start there. I doubt a neuro will at that.

Regards,

[m123]

Hi Scott,
Thanks for the fast reply!
My stomach issues have been far far stranger and longer standing. I used to be very skinny, went through a phase of bulking up (carefully, though probably less carefully then I should have). From around 120 to 140-150 (in two years). At a certain point it all just went downhill..After a pretty bad period at work as well..Got cramps, very gassy, became lactose intolerant almost overnight..Would get loose stools, body rashes. This was two years ago. I went to a few doctors for it but none really had answers, the symptoms didnt really add up, they were from all over the colon/body (saw two Gastro's, other then wanting to perform every test available they didnt even have a direction).
I did schedule the tests yet after a change in diet it all literally went away (during the eradication of the these symptoms I lost the most weight, probably from the diet change)..Took around 2 months and started getting gastric symptoms - belching, heartburn, dyspepsia. Was diagnosed with H. Pylori in a casual blood test..Took antibiotics 3 months ago, waiting to get it checked.

In the meantime have been losing very very little weight in a very strange manner, mainly around joints and in my face (this can actually be noticed before the whole mess started ever since I got in to the gym around 3-4 years ago). My diet is constantly messed up though I have not gotten back the original bloating symptoms and I try to deal with it the best that I can and eat healthy.

I have not been losing weight as much as I have noticeable changes in certain areas (I still weigh more than my original 120 though..it goes up and down).
This is sort of the reason im afraid its cancer..First the stomach issues and now this. I also scheduled an appointment for the Gastro again..I put off the more invasive tests because I didnt know where to start (neither did they) but I might just go ahead a do it. I should mention the blood tests are normal (and even improved b12 in comparison to 2 years ago).

What direction were you thinking the Neurologist can take other than what he said?

Thanks!

[m123]

Yes, I did tell him all my symptoms. He actually sent me to the hospital (I didnt want to overload with info in my original post). There both an Orthopedist and another Neurologist examined me. They confirmed what he described and said they dont see signs of compression in the examination (i.e - what might be caused by a tumor or something that demands more urgent care) and confirmed the MRI.

[1eye]

Yes, I did tell him all my symptoms. He actually sent me to the hospital (I didnt want to overload with info in my original post). There both an Orthopedist and another Neurologist examined me. They confirmed what he described and said they dont see signs of compression in the examination (i.e - what might be caused by a tumor or something that demands more urgent care) and confirmed the MRI.

I am not anymore surprised by doctors or neurologists inability to find anything. They live in climate-controlled bubbles where they will never see the problems brought on by heat. My worst leg spasticity is brought on by heat, and I gauge it by how long I can use a hot laptop. I have had problems at different times with both legs, and it seems to be arbitrary which it will be at any given time.

[m123]

If that were the case I would be a little less concerned.. But its been both legs for a month now (one leg at times may be worse than the other but its definitely both of them non stop).

[Scott1]

Hi,

So you're becoming gaunt rather than just losing weight and you have somewhat stabilised the tummy problems since H.Pylori was detected.

It would seem to me that no matter what else may or may not be going on that you need to reculture your gut after you have been hitting it with antibiotics. The gassy gut can only happen if you either swallow air or you make it. My guess is you are overloaded with the wrong bugs in your gut.

I would try this-

1)Buy some Lactoferrin from the chemist/drug store/health food shop etc and take it according to the instructions for a week. Rest for a week and do it again
2) Start drinking fresh carrot juice each day. It must be fresh. You need some retinoids to heal a leaky gut
3) Start taking the most diverse probiotic each day that you can afford
4) at least for a while, make fruit a big part of your diet and try and have a pear and an egg for breakfast as a minimum. (assuming you have no allergies)
5) Stay away from gluten and dairy for a while

Otherwise eat normally. I have no problem with meat. Drink water rather than sports drinks. Drink apple juice if you want a sugar hit.

See what happens. You may have a coinfection that arose with the H.Pylori and that might need treatment but try resetting the gut flora first.

Regards,

[m123]

Hi Scott,
Well, its not exactly what one would call gaunt but I guess the definition is close.
I do need to re culture my gut, I will get on it. I need to find a good specialist for my stomach, the issue is its been quite difficult since each doctor/alternative med spec that I have seen focuses on something else and it becomes very hard to take a look at the problem as a whole.

As for the nerve issues - thoracic mri came back clean (minor disc herniation at t7-8-9). Cervical is still due (god knows how ill do it though, I was really caught by surprise by the claustrophobia last time). Interestingly enough the cervical spine can be seen throughout the entire scan, maybe the technician slipped it in for me . I told him that I needed a cervical as well but the private insurance only covered one scan, the other scan that is covered by regular health insurance is later on this month. The radiologist even commented in the results that the cervical can be seen and seems normal). I got the thoracic privately since I wanted it earlier.
So now im really stumped. Legs are still stiff and painful, urine/erection still causing trouble, doesnt seem normal. Neuro again this week.
Ideas?