Lumber MRI Scan results | Progressive Multiple Sclerosis | Chronic Illness

[@brittaroth3780]

Hi Teresa, Hi Neil, it is absolutely amazing to see you laugh and smile! I am so glad that there are no spinal issues seen on the MRI!!! So happy for you! This must have been such a relief for you!!! Well, have a wonderful weekend with lovely weather! best regards, Britta

[@NeilBradleyMS]

Thanks Britta, yes I can’t tell you how heavy this was weighing on my mind. The thought of a third surgery on my back really was a big worry for me (on top of all my MS problems as well). Now I know for sure it’s the MS causing the new weakness in my left leg, whilst I’m not happy about it.. I can deal with it. I hope you’re having a nice weekend also. Take care.

[@risenshine2783]

Refreshingly English after watching the American MS videos, good as they can be.. this is much closer to my world!

[@NeilBradleyMS]

Thanks Franc, I’m so pleased you were able to relate to the video.

[@graceella9166]

So glad you are pleased with your results ...love the story of the bench ...you pair are adorable together

[@NeilBradleyMS]

Hi Grace, glad you enjoyed the video. And yes, Teresa is still telling the bench story to people lol🤔😊

[@Lorien4kids]

Glad you got the results back you were hoping for!

[@NeilBradleyMS]

Thanks Lorien.

[@summerlea1026]

You two are the sweetest couple ever ❤️

[@NeilBradleyMS]

Hello :) Apologies for the late reply, and thank you so much for you kind message. It's very much appreciated 💞 I hope this message finds you well.

[@rikke3101]

Teresa! I was not ready for you to mention the little bum again, and I had just taken a mouthful of coffee when you did! Oh well, good thing I have more :D Neil, the scan results are fantastic news! I am so relieved on your behalf. Carrying around that kind of worry and anxiety is exhausting. Celebrating with fish and chips sounds like a perfect idea. About the flu jab... I get mine every year, because to me it´s no different than taking MS meds. Both lower the risk of me feeling like utter crap, which I appreciate. I won´t tell other people what to do, but when I hear that the reason for saying no to the flu jab is "I usually never get the flu" (I hear that a lot), I share my opinion on the matter. Because that´s like saying no to home insurance because "people usually don´t break into my house". But we don´t know until it happens, in either situation. Whether someone had the flu last year, ten years ago or had it two years in a row doesn´t say anything about whether or not that person will be infected with the virus this year. I hope I don´t sound angry, because I am not, but explaining myself in English can be a bit hard. Anyway, I personally think it´s a very good thing that you´re getting it. Good job, Teresa! :D

[@NeilBradleyMS]

Hi Rikke, ahaha Teresa laugh for sure when she reads your comment (she’s gone to bed), hopefully you still had enough coffee left. 😊 You’re right of about the flu jab, I realise I need to do the sensible thing. And don’t worry you don’t sound angry.

[@nelladams4933]

Hooray!!!!! Music to your ears Neil :) Love watching your videos

[@NeilBradleyMS]

Yes indeed Nell, I’ve been feeling so much better in my my mind since I had the good news yesterday. So pleased you’re enjoying the videos. 👍👍

[@ravenfeathesDVM]

I'm so sorry mate. I have Lumbar issues also, and now have 5 symptoms of MS so I'm going in for a diagnosis on Thursday. Thank you for this video. Bulging discs are very painful. I have 3. Spondylitis is not a fun thing either. I've had it for many years. You're lucky that you don't have more pain. Please be careful with your back. It can get worse with age.

[@NeilBradleyMS]

Thank you, I am being extra careful. Now I know the disc is bulging but not pressing in any nerves, I don’t want to antagonise it. Wow, you have 3 bulging discs.. that must be hard to deal with as well as the painful Spondylitis, so sorry to hear this. Good luck with the diagnosis on Thursday, I’m hoping you do not have MS. Take care.

[@ravenfeathesDVM]

Neil Bradley Thanks for your kind words. I was better when I was younger but now at age 53, the back pain has gotten so much worse. Please take care and know that my thoughts are with you. ❤️

[@mariapotter1053]

You two are hilarious. Bless you both. 💜

[@janedumitru3909]

You guys are so cute, your attitudes are so encouraging

[@NeilBradleyMS]

Thank you.

[@EverythingGwenny]

Very good news! I am so happy for you. Hopefully you get you head scan results quicker.

[@NeilBradleyMS]

Thanks, yes it’s huge weight off my mind. Hopefully I’ll get the results of my head scan next week but I’m not expecting them to find anything to be honest (maybe a brain). All my lesions are spinal cord related and I’ve got absolutely no head related ms symptoms at all. I don’t even know why they’ve scanned my head.

[@EverythingGwenny]

Oh good to hear!

[@Shanti565]

Neil I am so happy with your test results. It's always nice to see sweet Teresa. I do love you both. 😍😘

[@NeilBradleyMS]

Ahh thanks Shanti, much love to you. 💕

[@100somalilanderburco9]

good news neil, im happy for you👍💖👍

[@NeilBradleyMS]

Thanks Nuha. 👍

[@Pardy_Animalz]

Your vlogs are refreshing. Love you guys. ♥️

[@NeilBradleyMS]

Thanks Linda, you're very kind :)

[@andreawheatley5528]

So, so happy for you Neil, and love to see you and Teresa laughing and smiling. Don't forget your Pneumonia Jan as well, lmbo. I hope you get the Ocrevus infusions. I have a friend, with Primary Progressive MS, and she is having her 3rd infusion soon, she has actually talked me into seeing an MS Specialist doctor, at a University, they're able to get me Ocrevus, I called and asked, if they had patients on it, they said yes!!! Btw, I love fish and chips too. Great news for you friend, Yay!!

[@NeilBradleyMS]

Hey Andrea, nice to hear from you. I hope you’re feeling well. That’s great news that you’re going to be getting Ocrevus, I’m faced with the choice of either Ocrevus or Tysabri. The thought of contracting PML scares me silly, so I’m leaning heavily towards Ocrevus but I know the hospital would prefer me on Tysabri as it’s the most aggressive, but also the most dangerous as I understand it. Is your friend feeling any better after being on Ocrevus?

[@andreawheatley5528]

Ocrevus is newer than Tysabri and more aggressive, especially for progressive MS. I know that PML risk, has been a scary risk, with a few drugs I have been on, nothing like a fatal brain infection, lol. Doesn't fun at all. Research both drugs, Genentech makes Ocrevus

[@NeilBradleyMS]

Hi Andrea, I know Ocrevus is newer than Tysabri but I’m not so sure about more aggressive. As far as I know Tysabri is about 70 - 80% effective at reducing relapses where as Ocrevus is 50%. As you probably know both of these drugs suppress your immune system and open us up to all sorts of opportunist infections, some very serious. I’m not happy about my looming decision but I’ve got to do something. I hope all is well with you, are you on any treatment at the moment?

[@andreawheatley5528]

Hi friend, I talked privately with a good friend, and she is going on her 3rd infusion. She has a great MS Specialist and has been told some great success stories on the O juice. There will be new medications coming out that will also work with the Ocrevus. I don't know if you follow Jorge Castillo, and Damian, but they have been on Ocrevus for awhile too. I am afraid of the PML thing, it was a risk, with 2 medications that failed me. I have been on 4 DMD's now, and that makes me Leary. I hope you get positive results, no matter what you choose, it's nice to see you and Teresa so happy, Teresa is a beautiful person. Love and hugs to you both.

[@NeilBradleyMS]

Thanks Andrea, I’ve been following Damian for quite some time and he seems to be doing very well on a Ocrevus. I too am very afraid of the PML, we’ve got enough going on with MS and don’t need the risk of a brain disease and opportunist infections as well. Take care.

[@BarbdWireNRoses1]

I never give in and get flu shots either lol.. Great news about your back Neil, good to hear from you all!

[@NeilBradleyMS]

Thanks very much, yes it’s such a relief for me and a huge worry off my mind. I suppose the flu shot is a good thing, whenever I catch a cold etc which to be honest is hardly ever, it does make my symptoms much worse. So a good thing perhaps.

[@leewaken5059]

OK guys, dig this. This sounds just the opposite of "your way of thinking". Come Monday morning I have a lumbar MRI scan at 7:00am. I am hoping the findings show that surgery (Laminectomy) IS necessary, to ease/erase the "sciatic" and other pain in my lower back and down both legs. As well as addressing the weakness and leg drag in my right leg. Who knows? Now I have NOT already had two back surgeries like you have dealt with, so that may be the reason why our thoughts differ. But yeah blame everything on the MS. NOT! Take care you two, and Neil I certainly hope you are still enjoying some of the relief from your recent steroid drip. Love ya guys, Jim

[@NeilBradleyMS]

Hi Lee, with having sciatic pain it does sounds like you have a disc issue of sorts because that is a classic symptom, I hope there is something that they can do. Where as for me, I do not have sciatica at all.. I do however have weakness in my legs particularly my left leg more recently. I always have this worry weighing heavily whether or not it’s the MS or a disc. I’ve now been able to rule out a disc, so I’m really pleased about that in as much I now know what I’m dealing with, it’s the MS for sure. I realise that’s still not a good thing, but what is good for me is I know for sure what I’m dealing with and I can try and adapt. Hope that makes sense. All the best.

[@NeilBradleyMS]

Yes Lee, I’m still fairly mobile at the moment which I’m really pleased about. I say fairly, which just means I’m a bit better, not going to be running any marathons any time soon, still can’t run on the spot 🙈

[@leewaken5059]

Thanks for your reply, as usual. You are so considerate to reply to all the comments left on your videos, keeps you busy for sure. I understand the satisfaction in knowing the what, why and where these symptoms are caused from, but where do you go from here?(just a rhetorical question) I actually start some physical therapy next week and I'll let you know how it goes when I have something to share. I am so happy to hear you are still feeling better though. Hang tough

[@NeilBradleyMS]

Thanks mate, yes it does take some doing answering everybody but I do enjoy it. Where do I go from here, well just got to keep battling on I suppose. Good luck with the PT, take care.

[@cheristeelersgirl5910]

YAY! That's great news👍 I also have had back surgery, I had a fusion back in 2012. I'm jealous you had fish n chips. They look so good fm there.. UGH! I need to get my flu shot also. Thank god you don't need another surgery 👍 lol your wife is so funny, I love you two 😆

[@NeilBradleyMS]

The fish and chips was a real treat, but we felt we’d earned it. You had a fusion, that’s sounds like you’ve been having a real hard time with your back. How have you been since you had the surgery? Glad you’re enjoying the videos.

[@metak71]

Luv it guys.. Fellow ms, er in nyork

[@NeilBradleyMS]

Hey Rob, thanks for the message. Great to hear from a fellow MS’er all those thousands of miles away. I hope this message finds you as well as can be.

[@jonnocrap]

Hello Neil! Our stories are similar in many ways. I still do not have an ms diagnosis - but have an appointment at the ms clinic in november for a second opinion. Recently i spent time in the hospital. I had been having urinary symptoms on and off since my transverse myelitis diagnosis. The symptoms have always been urgency and the feeling i always have to go. The symptoms became unbearable during a walk so i packed up and went to the ER. One of the concerns Drs have with patients who have a history of lower back issues is something called cauda equina syndrome. Ill save the explanation as to what it is, but its relatively rare. I had always assumed these issues ive had were related to the TM/MS. Well,they did an MRI to rule out CES and as luck would have it (i use the word luck sparingly here) i have a severely herniated disc at L3/L4 abutting against the cauda equina nerve. Spinal surgeons are very weary of doing micro discectomies now because of the rate of reoccurance. Because i dont have full compression they are waiting to see if the symptoms resolve on their own. Its pretty miserable to say the least, but i think i now have an answer to what is causing my symptoms. Its so frustrating when two existing conditions cause the same symptoms and you can never figure out which is doing what!!!!

[@NeilBradleyMS]

Hello Jon, well isn’t it interesting that you should talk about “cauda equina”. The reason I had my surgery at L5/S1 back in 2012 and a revision 2 months later because the bulge was so severe I was in danger of cauda equina syndrome. My surgeon also said I could loose bowel and bladder function. He had me on the operating table in about 7 days!! Rewinding back to 2007 I also had a diagnosis of Transverse Myelitis as well! Seems we have a lot in common doesn’t it. I really do hope things start to resolve on their own, back surgery is no fun at all. You’re right, having the possibility of two conditions causing the same symptoms was ‘doing my head in’ and whilst I was really scared of the scan results I persevered. Fortunately there no disc issue. It’s almost given me a new lease of life because I thought something was severely wrong with my back, now I’m not so worried as I know it’s just the MS. Nothing I can do about that, but at least I know. Best regards Neil.

[@jonnocrap]

Yeah! they had kept me in the hospital as the neurosurgeons hummed and haww'd over surgery options. in the end 2 different teams in 2 cities came to the conclusion that theres enough space in my spinal canal even with the herniation that i should (hopefully) expect a recovery. I had these same issues several years ago, before TM and a severely herniated L5-S1 disc has miraculously healed. So hopefully the same goes with this one. The TM issues overlapping with the herniation is pretty hard to cope with. I literally "feel your pain"! All the best to you. It's always good to see your videos, as I find it helpful that I'm not alone in all this!

[@shadow03clb]

You guys make me smile. Fish and chips equals a good old fish fry in the United States. So bad for you, but it's so good, so I'm glad that you used the excuse to eat it for a celebration 😁

[@NeilBradleyMS]

Sometimes it just has to be done doesn’t it👍

[@adrianbryant7342]

Well I'm glad that it's not a spinal problem again. I suppose it gets labelled as MS then? Which isn't good either. I have a really weak left leg that cramps in my calf every night but my right leg I have sciatica shooting down it with burning but can't get anyone to look at it! Anyway neurologist next month and hoping he may get me a new MRI just to see what's going on. Well hope you to are well it seems like it👍

[@NeilBradleyMS]

That sound just horrible Adrian, I’m sorry your having to deal with such terrible pain. Obviously I’m no Dr but in my experience the sciatic pain is often due to a disc herniation irritating a nerve. Fingers cross this Neuro gets you that MRI scan you need. For me, yes it would seem it’s the MS but now that I know I feel I can deal with it much better. It’s the not knowing.. if you get me. Take it easy Adrian.

[@rodneypower9368]

Hey Brad I'm having a lot of pain in my legs I have arthritis in both knees so I'm told but I'm not entirely sure if the pain is due to that or my MS ... my question is do you have pain in your legs

[@NeilBradleyMS]

Hi Rodney, I have a great deal of pain in my legs yes. Mine is definitely due to the MS weakening the muscles and Neuropathic pain too. I don’t have arthritis like you, but the muscles around my knees don’t work properly now and they cause me to ‘bounce’ when I’m walking, especially in the morning. This is because I’m constantly pushing the muscles to work when they don’t want to. In my understanding the Arthritis pain is more of a joint pain rather than neuropathic (numbness or burning). Is it possible for you to distinguish this pain?

[@rodneypower9368]

@@NeilBradleyMS thank you Brad yes I see what you are saying and I also feel it is muscle pain as well it doesn't seem that it is in the joint. The pain comes from behind the knee and shoots down and up my entire leg then it cramps up off and on .... the reason why I'm asking you is because my doctor says the pain that I experience is not MS this is why I am confused here but what you say makes sense thank you and I love your videos!

[@NeilBradleyMS]

Thanks Rodney, it’s often very difficult to describe the different types of pain to the Dr so they can diagnose us isn’t it. I hope you manage to get your pain under control. Best regards - Neil.😊

[@decovintage2153]

Hahaha love you two do make me laugh.all the best 😊

[@NeilBradleyMS]

Aha that’s good, all the best to you also. 😊

[@decovintage2153]

Thank you 🌹