28th June 2007
[QUOTE=jordan001101;3016952]hello all.
I have been having this problem for years now and have finally decided to try and find out what it is. Every now and then, I randomly get this quick strike of shocking pain in my neck. It's like someone just quickly zaps me with a bolt of electricity down my neck. It comes and goes in a split second but gives me a good jolt when it does.
I have no idea what causes it but I think it might be when I twist my neck into certain positions as now that I think about it, it usually occurs when my head is tilted and I am sitting badly, usually slouched and twisted as I use my laptop. It only happens maybe once every few weeks. Anyone know what this is about?
Thanks,
Jordan
Yes, the answer to what this problem is - definitely L'Hermittes sign. Its so strange to describe and only because I have had this can I relate. You feel crazy trying to tell someone - its a very rare symptom. Actually it is related to the cervical spine but it does show up in MS a lot and in my case it was so severe they thought I had MS. What I had was pernicious anemia - an autoimmune disease which results in Vit B-12 defficiency and demyelination of the nervous system. I was misdiagnosed for too long and now have permanent nerve damage from it. Pernicious anemia is fatal if left untreated and believe me I felt like I was dying as well as suffering from so much weakness and severe burning in my hands and feet, other symptoms for months while I was just barely hanging on - my B-12 was in the low 100's when it was discovered. Its been two years now since diagnosis and treatment which also included a great deal of physical therapy ( my body acted as if I had a stroke) - the L'Hermittes sign is much improved although if I do too much walking or something as that it does return and I feel the shocks surging down my body. Be sure to get tested for your B-12 level everyone! ! I strongly feel it should be part of routine testing as a CBC is - it is that important. I am not the same person I was and probably will never regain completely though I do stay hopeful and as busy and active as possible with having to take so much Neurontin to combat the burning which causes a lot of fatigue. Hope this helps with a bit of info.
I have been having this problem for years now and have finally decided to try and find out what it is. Every now and then, I randomly get this quick strike of shocking pain in my neck. It's like someone just quickly zaps me with a bolt of electricity down my neck. It comes and goes in a split second but gives me a good jolt when it does.
I have no idea what causes it but I think it might be when I twist my neck into certain positions as now that I think about it, it usually occurs when my head is tilted and I am sitting badly, usually slouched and twisted as I use my laptop. It only happens maybe once every few weeks. Anyone know what this is about?
Thanks,
Jordan
Yes, the answer to what this problem is - definitely L'Hermittes sign. Its so strange to describe and only because I have had this can I relate. You feel crazy trying to tell someone - its a very rare symptom. Actually it is related to the cervical spine but it does show up in MS a lot and in my case it was so severe they thought I had MS. What I had was pernicious anemia - an autoimmune disease which results in Vit B-12 defficiency and demyelination of the nervous system. I was misdiagnosed for too long and now have permanent nerve damage from it. Pernicious anemia is fatal if left untreated and believe me I felt like I was dying as well as suffering from so much weakness and severe burning in my hands and feet, other symptoms for months while I was just barely hanging on - my B-12 was in the low 100's when it was discovered. Its been two years now since diagnosis and treatment which also included a great deal of physical therapy ( my body acted as if I had a stroke) - the L'Hermittes sign is much improved although if I do too much walking or something as that it does return and I feel the shocks surging down my body. Be sure to get tested for your B-12 level everyone! ! I strongly feel it should be part of routine testing as a CBC is - it is that important. I am not the same person I was and probably will never regain completely though I do stay hopeful and as busy and active as possible with having to take so much Neurontin to combat the burning which causes a lot of fatigue. Hope this helps with a bit of info.