When I first started having symptoms, I thought I was having a stroke.
That was the only thing I knew of that caused sudden numbness. After having
multitudes of tests, I found there are multitudes of things that can cause
sudden and increasing numbness. I ended up with a diagnosis of transverse
myelitis after the drs. ruled out everything else they could think of. Some
of the things I was tested for (mostly involving lab work on blood samples)
were lupus, thyroid problems (someone in our church had a relative who had
very serious and strange neurological problems and all kinds of tests --
couldn't find what was wrong -- a dr. looked back over the tests and found
something amiss in his thyroid levels. I haven't heard if he has improved
since then), lyme disease, vitamin B-12 deficiency....I wish I could remember
more. There were pages and pages of lab results. This was all besides the MRI
and CAT scans and spinal tap to check for MS, aneurysm, blood clots, bone
growths pressing on nerves, etc. It sounds as if your husband's drs. are
looking at the most logical place. the brain and spine through the MRI. If
they still find nothing and haven't done any of this lab work yet, I'd push
for them to test for anything that could remotely have a neurological
influence.
I know this is a very scary time. My prayers are with you.
I copied the last paragraph of the first letter I wrote to this list in
January; I hope it's a blessing to you:
I am a Christian and I don't think I could've dealt with all of this without
the Lord's help. In my regular daily Bible reading, quite often what I read
for that day meets directly my needs for that day. All of this has made me
more dependent on Him, seeking His help all throughout the day. Maybe that
was one purpose for it. Although I don't understand it and pray often for
healing, I know He allows nothing whimsically or purposelessly. Lamentations
3:34 says, "For He doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of
men." In John 17:3, Jesus said, "And this is eternal life, that they might
know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent." Those who
know Him can't lose: we have His help and grace every day here, and eternal
life with Him to come.
"But He was wounded for our trangressions, He was bruised for our
iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes
we are healed.
"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own
way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all." Isaiah 53:5-6
Barbara