neurologist's letter

[annie330]

I saw the neurologist last week and he has copied me in on hs letter to my GP and the rheummatologist.

Sorry in advance if this is long winded he has listed the following as diagnoses:-

SLE

Anti beta 2 glycoprotein antibodies

Cerebral vasculopathy (probably not vasculitis)

Muscle contraction headache

Diabetes

Hypertension

Patent foramen ovale (small)

In the body of his letter he has put that on balance of probabilities he thinks the episode of brachial neuritis was likely to be due to a vasculitis, he thinks my recurrent focal neurological symptoms (what we say are like TIA's) are more likely to be due to a non-arthritic vasculopathy, than an active vasculitis. I do recognise this as part of her lupus illness, on the other hand I do not think the events are likely to be part of her APS.

The difficult we have is knowing how to manage her recurrent focal neurological symptoms which are probably occurring two to three times a month. She was unable to tolerate Verapamil and indeed this seemed to make the headaches worse. I should stress that I think the headaches are likely to be of a muscle contraction aetiology rather than lupus headaches. I note that she actually had a single course of Cyclophosphamide and then rapidly went on to Rituixmab. I have found Rituixmab to be helpful but I have one patient who unequivocally responded to Cyclo but has not to Rituximab. This raises the question therefore whether when she is next due immunosuppressive treatment that it might be worth considering some pulses of cyclo rather than Rituximab.

Turning to the headaches I have said that I will discuss this with one of my colleagues who has experience of using Botox for this type of headache.

Above is pretty much all of the letter and any thoughts/comments would be gratefully received.

Just for a bit more background when I saw him last March he said my headaches were due to a problem with a muscle in my neck and he recommended that I have physio. I did go but at the first appointment she said that there wasn't an issue, I did see her again (I paid privately so that I didn't have to wait cos I wanted to stop the pain) she told me I would be wasting my money going again and she didnt want to see me again and she wrote to the neuro words to that effect.

I am happy to try things to get rid if the daily pain but my thoughts are:

1. Already tried physio for muscle contraction and it did nothing and physio just said it was a bit tense but most people are

2. Botox injections in the back of my head, they're not even going to be for my wrinkle forehead or eyes (ha ha), in the appointment he did point out that I have a wrinkle in the middle of my forehead and that this means I have an over active muscle.

3. Cyclo???? I only had one round (3 pulses) batch in 2009 and it wasn't nice.

I don't mean to come across as critical of the neuro as I know that i have a few different things going on and it must be difficult to work through it all, but it feels like the rheumy and neuro disagree. My INR target is 4.0 (range 3.50 to 4.5) and the neuro says he doesnt think my problems are APS related.

I know this is a long post so thank you for reading it.

Louise

[janiceray]

Headaches my my now this is just up my sleeve.

I have had Muscle Contraction Aetiology,and have had for 10years or more,and taking high antip about 6 per day plus beta blocker & pain killers.

Now my doctor has decided to take me off those meds Which i thought at the time was barmy.I We are now treating the cause , which is muscular at my shoulders and Arth to the spine limiting my head movements and causing

muscle contractions.It is so much to go into on how I am dealing with this but i can tell you that i started on this way only a week ago and its really getting better and i have not cheated and taken any pain killers .If you want to give me your phone no and i will ring you if you feel this will help,and i will be able to

tell you how i am achieving this and it does not involve any money.

Love & Sunshine

Jan xx