I am still waiting for the x3 MRI results and the leg EMG results. EMG doc confirmed no nerves are being pinched in my lumbar. This means I still don't know what the source is of my numb feet. Today I met with a foot doc who said my foot muscle is extremely tight and he is treating me as if I have plantar fasciitis over the next several weeks. He explained that if the symptoms do not improve (horrible pain in heel, feels like I'm walking on shards of glass), then the issue is an autoimmune disease. He confirmed that the numbness is a result of a global rheumatological issue that has yet to be pinpointed. Today's doc is the third doc that said I have some sort of autoimmune disease.
Not knowing the specific issue is frustrating as I am several months into my journey of trying to solve the puzzle. I'm very thankful to know certain things have been ruled out and that the scope is narrowing on the cause. Next steps are meet with Emory Rheumatology Clinic who know how to identify autoimmune diseases that frequently are not detected by blood tests.
Until next time!
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Monday, August 5, 2013
Time To Kick It Up A Notch
With the slew of doctor's visits over the past few months, I started to fall into a rut and the thought, "When these issues are resolved, I'll feel better and move forward with certain goals," ran through my mind. That's not a healthy mindset because let's face it, life happens and there will never be a perfect time. So, no more pity party!
Coach Jim recently had me increase the draw weight on my bow to 35# so that I'll be able to hit 70m which is the farthest distance in some of the tourneys. Boy o boy, pulling 35# ain't no joke! I was averaging 90 arrows on shooting days at 31# and now I've been slowly working my way up from 30 arrows, 42, and most recently 55 arrows. It was just 8 months ago I started archery with a 15# bow.
Yesterday, Lizzie and I spent the day at the range sighting in our bows for the various tourney distances. It was a beautiful day topped with a young deer (a bit older than a fawn) running in front of us as we walked toward a target to get our arrows.
Over the past month, the three of us (Jeremy, Lizzie and I) have been eating really clean: lean meats, fresh fruits/veggies, dairy and gluten free, with a sweet treat every now and then. We all feel great and I'm happy to say that the spinach and bananas are now getting eaten before they rot. Can't tell you how much $ we've wasted in the past with not eating fresh food fast enough.
We recently found the old Body of Work video from the late 90's where Jeremy and I got seriously inspired to live healthy. It was in 1999 that Jeremy shed over 70 pounds of fat and I released 45 pounds too. Notice I didn't say "lost fat"? We didn't lose it because we aren't looking for it. :)
Here are some of Jeremy's before/after pix:
After watching the vid, I looked up Lynn Lingenfelter, one of the champions who was a big inspiration to both of us. I learned that he is suffering from a brain virus since the filming of Body of Work. Despite Lynn's challenges, his faith is strong in God and he still inspires me. Through Lynn, I learned about his strength coach, Darin Steen.
Darin is a natural body builder who has the same philosophy as we do; how to BE healthy from the inside out. After talking with Jeremy about my desire to incorporate more exercises into my routine and need to build strength for archery, I decided to reach out to Darin. We had a great chat where he interviewed me and I interviewed him about my goals and physical limitations. Having a coach to train me safely is #1 priority. We both agree there is a good connection and I'll start training with Darin soon.
Here is my starting point for 2013 training:
The time has come to kick my training and nutrition up a notch and train like an athlete!
Coach Jim recently had me increase the draw weight on my bow to 35# so that I'll be able to hit 70m which is the farthest distance in some of the tourneys. Boy o boy, pulling 35# ain't no joke! I was averaging 90 arrows on shooting days at 31# and now I've been slowly working my way up from 30 arrows, 42, and most recently 55 arrows. It was just 8 months ago I started archery with a 15# bow.
Yesterday, Lizzie and I spent the day at the range sighting in our bows for the various tourney distances. It was a beautiful day topped with a young deer (a bit older than a fawn) running in front of us as we walked toward a target to get our arrows.
Over the past month, the three of us (Jeremy, Lizzie and I) have been eating really clean: lean meats, fresh fruits/veggies, dairy and gluten free, with a sweet treat every now and then. We all feel great and I'm happy to say that the spinach and bananas are now getting eaten before they rot. Can't tell you how much $ we've wasted in the past with not eating fresh food fast enough.
We recently found the old Body of Work video from the late 90's where Jeremy and I got seriously inspired to live healthy. It was in 1999 that Jeremy shed over 70 pounds of fat and I released 45 pounds too. Notice I didn't say "lost fat"? We didn't lose it because we aren't looking for it. :)
Here are some of Jeremy's before/after pix:
 |
| Halfway through 3 month sprint, Sept 1999. After: Nov 1999. |
 |
| Before: Aug 1999. After: July 2000. 12 month sprint. |
 |
| 12 month sprint, July 2000. |
 |
| Before: 1998. |
 |
| Before: late 2000. |
 |
| Before: late 2000. |
 |
| Halfway thru 3 month sprint, early 2001. |
 |
| After: spring 2001. |
 |
| After: spring 2001. |
 |
| After: 2003. |
After watching the vid, I looked up Lynn Lingenfelter, one of the champions who was a big inspiration to both of us. I learned that he is suffering from a brain virus since the filming of Body of Work. Despite Lynn's challenges, his faith is strong in God and he still inspires me. Through Lynn, I learned about his strength coach, Darin Steen.
Darin is a natural body builder who has the same philosophy as we do; how to BE healthy from the inside out. After talking with Jeremy about my desire to incorporate more exercises into my routine and need to build strength for archery, I decided to reach out to Darin. We had a great chat where he interviewed me and I interviewed him about my goals and physical limitations. Having a coach to train me safely is #1 priority. We both agree there is a good connection and I'll start training with Darin soon.
Here is my starting point for 2013 training:
 |
| Before: Aug 2013. |
 |
| Before: Aug 2013. |
 |
| Before: Aug 2013. |
 |
| Before: Aug 2013. |
The time has come to kick my training and nutrition up a notch and train like an athlete!
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Quick Update: Test Results
Recently had an EMG test done on my arms to see if Dr. Riew's prediction of the cause of my numb hands was accurate. He was spot on as the results show ulnar neuropathy. The ulnar nerve is being pinched in my elbows. Thank God the issue isn't in the thoracic; no rib removal required! :) The treatment will be PT and splinting of my elbows. I'm quite happy to know the source of the hand issue; especially that I don't need more surgery!
Some other updates, I tested positive for:
Jaw Jerk - I need to get clarification on this.
Hoffman's Sign - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoffmann%27s_sign
Romberg's Test - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romberg's_test
This means my balance issues now have a name.
I'm still waiting to get an EMG on my legs to see if, once again, Dr. Riew's prediction of the cause of numbness in my feet and right leg are being caused by a pinched nerve in my lumbar.
How strange that my neuro has yet to respond to Dr. Riew's report that shows none of her (neuro's) predictions that all my issues are directly tied to my cervical are accurate.
Looking forward to closing the chapter on all this stuff.
Some other updates, I tested positive for:
Jaw Jerk - I need to get clarification on this.
Hoffman's Sign - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoffmann%27s_sign
Romberg's Test - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romberg's_test
This means my balance issues now have a name.
I'm still waiting to get an EMG on my legs to see if, once again, Dr. Riew's prediction of the cause of numbness in my feet and right leg are being caused by a pinched nerve in my lumbar.
How strange that my neuro has yet to respond to Dr. Riew's report that shows none of her (neuro's) predictions that all my issues are directly tied to my cervical are accurate.
Looking forward to closing the chapter on all this stuff.
Friday, July 12, 2013
Saddle for Sale
Lizzie is raising funds for her trip as a US Delegate with the People to People program traveling to 7 countries next summer.
Below are pix of her English saddle which is in good condition with just a few scrapes on the back of the cantle. It measures 17" and comes with a fleece pad. Saddle is located near Atlanta. Shipping/insurance within continental US extra. Email me if you are interested dlikness@gmail.com
Below are pix of her English saddle which is in good condition with just a few scrapes on the back of the cantle. It measures 17" and comes with a fleece pad. Saddle is located near Atlanta. Shipping/insurance within continental US extra. Email me if you are interested dlikness@gmail.com
Thursday, July 4, 2013
STL Updates
The last batch of tests showed no auto immune diseases and now both rheumatologist and neuro insist all issues stem from cervical condition. Well, that's not the case.
Dr. Riew is one of the best cervical doc's in the country which is why I came to STL to get his expert opinion. Dr. Riew said that based on the numb areas I am experiencing, the source is either my elbows or a pinched nerve in my thoracic area. He said with a smile that I don't need cervical surgery because there is sufficient space around my spinal cord and the collapsing disc is not at the surgical stage right now. Praise God! Doc explain that I have two tests to do at home which will determine which area is the source of the numbness. The elbow situation is like carpal tunnel but in the elbows. I need to get a copy of his report because I don't remember the technical terms he used. There is a slight chance I might need elbow surgery or, if the thoracic is the source, might need surgery to remove one rib.
Doc was shocked that the local cervical doc said I needed a four level fusion. It amazes me how one doctor can say something inaccurate and scare the bejezuz outta someone. I felt totally confident in what Dr. Riew told me. As far as the numbness in my leg and foot, I'll have a lumbar MRI to see if something is being pinched.
I wonder what my neuro and rheumatologist will say when I explain to them their theories of all my issues are coming from my cervical are not valid. I sense these two doc's were maybe looking for an easy explanation by blaming everything on the cervical. Dr. Riew asked me if my neuro was good. I told him I don't know; she's the only one I've seen. Sounds like I need to seek a new neuro.
In any event, I'm thrilled I don't need surgery and look forward to getting these tests done.
Dr. Riew is one of the best cervical doc's in the country which is why I came to STL to get his expert opinion. Dr. Riew said that based on the numb areas I am experiencing, the source is either my elbows or a pinched nerve in my thoracic area. He said with a smile that I don't need cervical surgery because there is sufficient space around my spinal cord and the collapsing disc is not at the surgical stage right now. Praise God! Doc explain that I have two tests to do at home which will determine which area is the source of the numbness. The elbow situation is like carpal tunnel but in the elbows. I need to get a copy of his report because I don't remember the technical terms he used. There is a slight chance I might need elbow surgery or, if the thoracic is the source, might need surgery to remove one rib.
Doc was shocked that the local cervical doc said I needed a four level fusion. It amazes me how one doctor can say something inaccurate and scare the bejezuz outta someone. I felt totally confident in what Dr. Riew told me. As far as the numbness in my leg and foot, I'll have a lumbar MRI to see if something is being pinched.
I wonder what my neuro and rheumatologist will say when I explain to them their theories of all my issues are coming from my cervical are not valid. I sense these two doc's were maybe looking for an easy explanation by blaming everything on the cervical. Dr. Riew asked me if my neuro was good. I told him I don't know; she's the only one I've seen. Sounds like I need to seek a new neuro.
In any event, I'm thrilled I don't need surgery and look forward to getting these tests done.
Saturday, June 8, 2013
On Again, Off Again, On Again - Enough Already!
Since my last update, I received results from my neuropsychology test which was a 3 hour test involving several components: memorization, math, puzzles, pattern identification, etc. The first thing the doc said was, "You are the mysterious woman." I didn't like the sound of that. He explained that his results show exactly what I've explained as the symptoms I've been experiencing. He said that while he is unable to definitively say I have this or that, he said he thinks it is MS. Really? We're back to that? I thought MS was off my radar since the neuro did not find any MS lesions in the MRI. The NP (neuropsychology) doc explained that a lot of my results show I process information the same way as a person with MS does.
For instance, there were two areas where I bombed the test, so bad that the NP doc said I scored worse than a person with Alzheimer's. I thought for sure it would have been the math portion but it was a memorization section instead. Doc explained that I got 3% correct; however, when the same test was reintroduced later in the session, I got almost 100% correct. He said people with MS typically have a hard time processing new information/data/situations at first, but when the dust settles, they are able to process very well.
NP doc said that while he cannot say 100% for sure that I have MS (because I am showing indications of other things), he said, "I can say you definitely have some sort of autoimmune disease. We just need to figure out which one." After I brought him up to speed on the cervical issue (needing surgery), he said that he would call my neuro and let her know that the cervical is a red herring, a lot of my symptoms are from an autoimmune disease based on my results with his test.
So now I'm confused, how can this doc think I might have MS when I had a normal MRI result. NP doc explained that 10% of people with MS have normal MRIs. Sometimes the lesions (if there are some) are located in an area of the brain that the MRI cannot detect. Doc said my neuro may change her mind about MS after seeing his report.
Since my last update, the numb areas are increasing: right foot constantly feels as if it is buried in sand, numbness has started below the knee on my right leg, the top of my left foot is going numb, half of my left hand is now numb as of this week, etc. I'm waiting to hear back from neuro's nurse as to when she can schedule me to see neuro to get her feedback from the new NP results.
Met with rheumatologist doc yesterday for follow up visit, and the arthritis meds have not helped with joint pain. I updated her on need for cervical surgery. Before I even told her about NP doc saying he feels strongly I have an autoimmune disease, she said, "I want to do bloodwork looking for connective tissue autoimmune diseases." I updated her on NP doc's conversation about his results. So I have two docs that are in agreement that an autoimmune disease is involved, but which one?
I've been scrambling to get all these results and feedback so I can take the information with me to STL. We'll leave soon. My dad said recently, "It's a shame we don't have any medical information about your birth parents." Indeed, just a sliver of information would shed a lot of light for my doctors.
Priority is to address cervical issue which may or may not be the root of the numbness. Regardless, my neck is collapsing and it needs to be fixed. As with any surgery, current symptoms may or may not get better and could get worse. As with my spine surgery, I'm going into the cervical surgery not with the intent of restoring feeling to numb areas, but to stop the collapsing. If feeling is restored, that will be gravy! :)
Yesterday, I started feeling overwhelmed. So much is happening so fast, but I know God will only give me what He knows I can handle. I found out there is a local one-day archery tournament after we get back from STL and I was seriously considering do it. Then I remembered that Dr. Riew might want me to have the spinal tap while we are in STL and now that my left hand is going numb, it's not the right time to compete. I'm still shooting in my yard and weight training, just very carefully. Shooting is still a great outlet for me to take my mind off things.
I should have blood work results at the end of next week. Until then...
For instance, there were two areas where I bombed the test, so bad that the NP doc said I scored worse than a person with Alzheimer's. I thought for sure it would have been the math portion but it was a memorization section instead. Doc explained that I got 3% correct; however, when the same test was reintroduced later in the session, I got almost 100% correct. He said people with MS typically have a hard time processing new information/data/situations at first, but when the dust settles, they are able to process very well.
NP doc said that while he cannot say 100% for sure that I have MS (because I am showing indications of other things), he said, "I can say you definitely have some sort of autoimmune disease. We just need to figure out which one." After I brought him up to speed on the cervical issue (needing surgery), he said that he would call my neuro and let her know that the cervical is a red herring, a lot of my symptoms are from an autoimmune disease based on my results with his test.
So now I'm confused, how can this doc think I might have MS when I had a normal MRI result. NP doc explained that 10% of people with MS have normal MRIs. Sometimes the lesions (if there are some) are located in an area of the brain that the MRI cannot detect. Doc said my neuro may change her mind about MS after seeing his report.
Since my last update, the numb areas are increasing: right foot constantly feels as if it is buried in sand, numbness has started below the knee on my right leg, the top of my left foot is going numb, half of my left hand is now numb as of this week, etc. I'm waiting to hear back from neuro's nurse as to when she can schedule me to see neuro to get her feedback from the new NP results.
Met with rheumatologist doc yesterday for follow up visit, and the arthritis meds have not helped with joint pain. I updated her on need for cervical surgery. Before I even told her about NP doc saying he feels strongly I have an autoimmune disease, she said, "I want to do bloodwork looking for connective tissue autoimmune diseases." I updated her on NP doc's conversation about his results. So I have two docs that are in agreement that an autoimmune disease is involved, but which one?
I've been scrambling to get all these results and feedback so I can take the information with me to STL. We'll leave soon. My dad said recently, "It's a shame we don't have any medical information about your birth parents." Indeed, just a sliver of information would shed a lot of light for my doctors.
Priority is to address cervical issue which may or may not be the root of the numbness. Regardless, my neck is collapsing and it needs to be fixed. As with any surgery, current symptoms may or may not get better and could get worse. As with my spine surgery, I'm going into the cervical surgery not with the intent of restoring feeling to numb areas, but to stop the collapsing. If feeling is restored, that will be gravy! :)
Yesterday, I started feeling overwhelmed. So much is happening so fast, but I know God will only give me what He knows I can handle. I found out there is a local one-day archery tournament after we get back from STL and I was seriously considering do it. Then I remembered that Dr. Riew might want me to have the spinal tap while we are in STL and now that my left hand is going numb, it's not the right time to compete. I'm still shooting in my yard and weight training, just very carefully. Shooting is still a great outlet for me to take my mind off things.
I should have blood work results at the end of next week. Until then...
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Back to STL for Cervical Surgery
I've made my decision not to compete at the Ohio event simply because I found out yesterday I need cervical surgery. After meeting with a local cervical doc, he said there are 4 levels that are compromised. He was shocked at how bad my neck is and said I am way too young to be having this type of deterioration. He's never done a 4 level fusion which is fine because I'll be on the road again for STL soon to meet with Dr. Riew (my spine surgeon's partner for cervical issues). The local doc said my clock is ticking and to get to STL asap.
We decided to make the trip into a vacation since we've always been pressed for time with prior visits to STL. Since Dr. Riew has better availability to schedule surgeries (within 6 weeks) compared to Dr. Lenke (12+ months), I'm hoping to schedule a late July/early August surgery.
It will be interesting to see what Dr. Riew recommends for the procedure: anterior only, posterior only, or a combination of both. Dr. Riew's nurse said that depending on how many levels need to be corrected, surgery can take anywhere from 1 hour - 5 hours with one night in the hospital. Big difference to what I've already been through. Total time in STL will be one week. Out of state patients are encouraged to stay in the STL area for a few days after discharge from hospital.
Depending on which levels will be corrected, my movement limitations could be minimal to severe. It will be nice if I can still turn my head to the left so I can continue shooting! :)
Am I surprised that I need surgery? No. I find a tremendous amount of comfort knowing that I'm in great hands with Dr. Lenke's colleague.
We decided to make the trip into a vacation since we've always been pressed for time with prior visits to STL. Since Dr. Riew has better availability to schedule surgeries (within 6 weeks) compared to Dr. Lenke (12+ months), I'm hoping to schedule a late July/early August surgery.
It will be interesting to see what Dr. Riew recommends for the procedure: anterior only, posterior only, or a combination of both. Dr. Riew's nurse said that depending on how many levels need to be corrected, surgery can take anywhere from 1 hour - 5 hours with one night in the hospital. Big difference to what I've already been through. Total time in STL will be one week. Out of state patients are encouraged to stay in the STL area for a few days after discharge from hospital.
Depending on which levels will be corrected, my movement limitations could be minimal to severe. It will be nice if I can still turn my head to the left so I can continue shooting! :)
Am I surprised that I need surgery? No. I find a tremendous amount of comfort knowing that I'm in great hands with Dr. Lenke's colleague.
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