I believe this is somehow related to the spine but doctors deny it.

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I am 30 years old now and have been suffering from these strange symptoms that have been getting gradually worse over the past ten years. When I was in high school I suffered a football accident where i tackle a guy with my right shoulder and fell to the ground and couldn't breathe for a couple minutes. This is not when the symptoms began but I think it is what caused the symptoms. Fast forward 3 years or so later in college I began to lose my voice. After going to several doctors looking as to why it was difficult for me to speak I pretty much accepted it. A couple years later I started to develop issues with my muscles getting weak. Initially it started with my legs. I liked to run a lot but I couldn't run long distances anymore without my legs burning after about 10 minutes, as if I ran 20 miles. Fast forward now, I have complete body weakness. Also, difficulty breathing, depression and anxiety. I forgot to mention that my right foot has been swollen since about a couple years after the accident. I've had several MRI's of my spine and also brain scans. I had an EMG done that found that I had chronic radiculopathy between my c8 and t1 vertebrae. The spine specialists said they didn't see anything in the spine that related to the EMG results. I saw 3 spine specialists. Another reason to believe that this is a spine problem is that I go to a chiropractor and he creates space between my vertebrae using manual decompression and my symptoms completely go away for about 24 hours. I just wanted to share this and know what your thoughts are on this. Thanks.

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2 Replies

  • Posted

    C8 is a cervical nerve exiting the spine between the C7 and T1 vertebrae (see picture).

    A CT/Myelogram with contrast is the "gold standard" test for spinal issues.  Way better than MRIs.  I would go to see a most excellent neurosurgeon, one from a group that works with your local college and professional sports teams.  They typically are the masters at anything with a sport-induced cause.  Get the CT/M test done.

    If it is something in the C7/T1 area (like the C8 nerve), know that it's a "transitional" part of your spine...tricky.  If you end up needing a fusion, they probably will have to fuse you above and below the transition, like C6 through T2...don't be surprised.  I don't know if C7/T1 can be fused directly.  I just had an LLIF fusion of L2/L3; my neuro told me that if I blow L1/L2, he'll have to fuse me T11 through L2 because of the transition.

    Hope this helps...

  • Posted

    Have u been tested for fibromyalgia or ms . I have fibromyalgia and makes my muscles feel weak . Or they sometimes feel like Ave been working out for hrs and all I've done get dressed. They feel heavy limp .

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