Lhermitte’s Sign: An Acute Pain Associated with MS

Timing of your article could not be any better. Yesterday, while driving, late afternoon so am already exhausted from the day's activities, to take my son to a PT evaluation, felt that horrible electrifying shock. Started at the base of my head and then jumped to left side of my head and continued downward. Feels like a hit of a funny bone and is just as painful. Had to pull over and take a few minutes to recover from the acute, sharp pain. Prior to diagnosis in 2010 at age 52 despite experiencing a lifetime variety of symptoms, used to get the Lhermitte's Sign frequently, especially when driving. Thought it was a pinched nerve. ALL of the symptoms made sense after finally having all the dots connected and a diagnosis of MS. Was pleased to learn was not as I had come to believe, an alien :) Lhermitte's makes sense given the myelin neuron damage and interruption of nerve transmissions and possibly empty or damaged axons at the end of the neuron. Thanks for the confirmation.

Just stumbled upon this article as I frequently search for any recent Lhermitte's news on the web!

I have been experiencing Lhermitte's sign for just shy of a year and still have no real answers as to what is happening with me. I have had MRI's of both brain and spine which returned clean. B12 levels are normal and all else checks out (spinal cord, discs etc).

Initially the shocking sensation presented itself in a very aggressive and uncomfortable fashion for about a 3-4 week period. After that 3-4 week episode, things began to taper off and just set into what has become a daily routine.

Every single morning when I rise out of bed Lhermitte's is present and gives me a friendly reminder that it is alive and well. After I get up and moving it is hit or miss if I will experience it as it tends to have a mind of its own and just presents at odd points throughout the day.
One thing noted in the article is that it tends to be present during fatigue, stress and overheating. I will attest to this 100%. I am very active and when I get my heart rate up at the gym or my core temp elevates, the shock immediately returns. I am only 34 and have a hard time admitting to fatigue but I am faced daily with comparing myself to my peers and continually wondering why I feel so drained when I am have made so many life choices to prevent Lhermitte's/ fatigue (diet, exercise, no alcohol, sleep, etc)

Based on this quick synopsis of my current condition, I guess I am just writing to share my experience and spark some conversation about this weird issue. I have been seeing a neurologist and we are about to meet at the one year mark. I am going to request another round of MRI's and possibly see about getting a second opinion. I am a young 34 year old presumably healthy male. I would like to exhaust all avenues in order to address what may possibly be MS and get on the prevention sooner than later.

I am rather perplexed at this stage in the game just kind of hanging in the wind.

I appear to be normal but experience buzzing and shocking sensations when I drop my chin. This has affected the way I conduct my day to day activities. I have adjusted the way I live due to this and wonder if things are destined to get worse or revert back to the way the lhermitte's began so aggresively. ....I am trying to be hopeful but am left with so many questions

I think part of me has written this in hopes to find someone who is, or has been in the same situation. I am having a hard time with all of these changes and challenges without being able to talk to someone who experiences it.

thanks for letting me vent!!

Meyers, have you had the second set of MRIs yet? Wondering how you are. I have the same -- lhermittes and clear MRIs.

I've been getting it for about 15-20 years....started out in my chest shooting out my eyes.....soon after to my back shooting out my eyes....now just my back to my head and a little in my arms.......I've got no relief, I just have to endure. It comes and goes in spurts that last a few months and I can go just as long without getting any. Sometimes it makes me just curl in a ball and just wait for them to calm down . I get them when at rest.....not when I'm working but when I'm on break...or mentally not preoccupied. I've got Ms and something with my spine that causes it......nothing I can do to relieve it. Causes me to curse good. It's torture...oh well

Hi there,
Just wanted to share my experience with Lhermitte's Sign. I was 25 y/o and had given birth to my first son approximately 3 months prior...right about the time all those good pregnancy hormones have tapered off. Being a nurse I was familiar with this symptom and its connection with MS so naturally I freaked and went straight to my dr. Who promptly poo poo'd my fears and sent me on my way. Fast forward approximately 10 yrs and a bout of Vertigo that did not respond to Antivert and was sent for a brain MRI which showed lesions and hence won me the dx of MS (score 1 for nurse, 0 for dr.…?) I told my dr. About my experience with Lhermitte's and he sent me for a f/u C-spine MRI...NO LESIONS. None in my T-spine either. I started on Copaxone and have been very healthy for 17 yrs... recently I have developed pins, needles, and numbness in half of my left hand, the medial aspect of my left arm, into the armpit and halfway across my chest and back. New C-spine MRI and now I have a non-enhancing lesion. It's worth noting that I had a C-spine MRI just under 2 yrs ago, at the same facility and no lesions were noted.
My experience with Lhermitte's was not painful as has been previously described but it sure as heck grabbed my attention every time I tipped my chin to my chest.
I'm trying to be patient and am optimistic that these symptoms will resolve in time but cannot deny that I am frightened that this new lesion, in a new area could me something more sinister.

Periodically I experience sudden neck pain that radiates up into my head. It is extremely painful. I was diagnosed with MS in 2000 and have been relatively symptom-free since but am left with leg weakness and fatigue which is managed pretty effectively with Provigil. When this neck pain happens, I need to lie down and try to relax my mind which in turn seems to release the pain. It almost feels like I have pulled a muscle in my neck at the time.

I was diagnosed in 2003, but first system was 1988. No brain lesions worth noting they saw one on my C spine in 2003, but I have been blessed (fired over it, but blessed, like Erin Brochovich I got my OWN case resolved and fought 2 town lawyers and a mayor to get my pension yeah me, with a mere Community College Degre) but this "pain" in my foot thing really blows. I called the doctor, she did an MRI but I have yet to meet with her. THANK YOU for those who say it seems to come and go. I had naught for 1 week and it started about a month ago. The heat and stress here during Covid has been intense. I know I am coming to the party late, but anyone? I am bending like a pregnant woman like sideways, afraid to trigger it. And don't know if I should take an Aleave daily?

Laurie

I'm one month into my Lhermitte sign. I am also having difficulty walking, as my feet are extremely numb and I also experience less, but noticeable numbness in my legs, up to my crotch. My knees feel "wobbly" and climbing stairs is very difficult.

I had COVID and was hospitalized for 6 days about 60 days prior to the onset of Lhermitte.

I've been to a neurologist and had MRI of brain, certical, thorasic and lumber regions. I also had EMG tests as well as a full blood workup. All tests, came back normal. No tumors, stroke, lesions. B12 and all other blood test normal.

Neurologist said, "Go home and be assured nothing is wrong."

But there is something wrong. My Lhermitte is intense and I was running 2 miles 5 days a week only 6 weeks ago. I couldnt run today, if I had to. My legs don't work.

I really think this may be some sort of COVID long haul deal. But I am also concerned about another DX, such as MS.

For now....I'm just waiting. I'm a 57 year old otherwise very healthy male.