Hi, sorry to correct you Janh, but I think either you or your neuro was mistaken..
RE: Banding VS l'Hermitte's sign These are two different things. L'Hermittes sign is the name given to an electric shock-like sensation felt. Typically, the electric shock-like sensation radiates from the neck downwards and lasts for a very short duration; usually less than a second. The sensations can repeat indefinitely so that it might feel almost continuous. The areas affected by Lhermitte's sign are usually the arms and / or the legs, although the sensations can radiate to the trunk. Lhermitte's sign gets its name from the person who first characterized it, Jacques Jean Lhermitte, and is sometimes (rarely) known as 'barbers chair phenomenon'. This is because of the way that Lhermitte's response is triggered; by flexing the neck forwards. When the head moves in this way, the electric shock like sensations are triggered. BANDING: (most common in MS hence the MS HUG name) What Causes the "MS Hug?" It is caused by a lesion on the spinal cord and is technically classified as a neuropathic pain called a “paresthesia,” which refers to any abormal sensation. The sensation itself is the result of tiny muscles between each rib (intercostal muscles) going into spasm. These muscles have the job of holding our ribs together, as well as keeping them flexible and aiding in movement, like forced expiration. What Does It Feel Like? Like many MS symptoms, the “MS hug” feels different for different people – it also feels different in the same people on different days or at different times of day. It can be: As low as the waist or as high as the chest; rarely it can be felt as high as the shoulders and neck Focused in one small area (usually on one side or in the back) or go all the way around the torso Worse when fatigued or stressed Present in “waves” lasting seconds, minutes or hours or can be steady for longer periods of time Described as sharp pain, dull pain, burning pain, tickling, tingling, a crushing or constricting sensation or intense pressure. As you can see they are two different things with two very different causes. Marieke, RN TM @ T1 since 2004 That band is called L'Hermitte's and one of my doctors told me it's where the "break" in nerves were......that it essentially was the nerve endings trying to find a connection... I think that is an over-simplified explanation so I'd comprehend........I had it so bad that at times I thought I wouldn't be able to breathe......I thought it might be the bra- God getting even with me for hating bras!! It finally 'went away' but returns when I've overdone or have let myself get too tired. It no longer is as strong as in the beginning so just know that time will help! My 2¢ janh in OK --- On Thu, 12/4/08, jrushton <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: In response to: Jeanne, when I was the hospital I had a band around my waist like a steel band. After some time out of the hospital and for many years it has been a band of pain. No medication relieved it. It was especially bad when i laid on my back. Ken in N.M. It is pretty horrible, isn't it, Ken? This is the first real relief I've gotten from it since the onset. Just don't give up...we can't...j _________________________________________________________________
