Right Side Atrophy/visits @ Mayo Clinic, New York Hospital for Special Surgeries, Cleveland Clinic

After reading all the posts, I feel like I've found a new family who "get" what I am fearing. In addition to the atrohy, all the joints on my right side are having problems and are compromised (tear in the shoulder, hip now locking up if I sit a long time, tear in my right meniscus). I've had 3 EMGs, several MRIs, and extensive blood work performed at the finest medical facilities. There is a spot on my spinal cord, but just one. They say if I had several, it would indicate MS. The damage to the spinal cord was not there in 2014 but showed up in 2017 in different MRI. I am a female of 60 years, and have always exercised regularly and enjoyed the outdoors. I have herniated C 4, 5 in my neck, which fused itself without surgery. The pain began in my arm, right above my elbow, then into my wrist. At first, I thought it was carpal tunnel. I've been trying to find answers for the past 4 years. Even my ears are no longer even.

A few warnings: I agreed to a MRI with contrast at Mayo and developed a severe headache the next morning before getting off the elevator at the hotel the following day. For six weeks, I had headaches, could not process my thoughts well, etc. I believe the culprit, for me, was gadolinium, the contrast agent. Be careful if you agree to an injection for imaging purposes and do your research first. My symptoms were similar to a CSF leak.

My last visit to Cleveland Clinic revealed some potential blood/oxygen flow questions. A tilt table test to rule out POTS was inconclusive, so they are asking me to come back for another test.I find the links others have brought up about having stints put in and CSF problems interesting.

With regard to symptom relief, I've been too busy to get to my water aerobics class, but find that water exercise is one of my best options. I've also started laying on some styro wedges (think looseleaf notebook). My chiro used wedges years ago, so I knew they could be helpful. By laying on the inclined wedge so that the higher side is under my shoulder and lower side near my spine, or by placing it under my hip for 5-45 minutes, it gives a gentle but solid stretch that offers some relief.

Please keep writing. I hope this is helpful.

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