Exploring Thoracic Cord Syrinx: Could It Explain My Symptoms?
I am a 23-year-old female who vapes and has a past marked by alcoholism and bulimia, although I am now in recovery and sober. Over the past few years, I have faced numerous health challenges, predominantly involving discomfort in my back. The sensation is not typical pain; instead, it manifests as persistent tingling, crawling, and stiffness, accompanied by spasms. This sensation is primarily located in my mid to upper back but also radiates to other areas including my chest, abdomen, and pelvic region. In addition to back issues, I struggle with significant fatigue and mental cloudiness, varying in intensity from day to day. I often feel as though my body is buzzing with static energy, and my limbs can feel excessively heavy and weak. About two years ago, I experienced a distressing episode that led me to the emergency room. I was unable to move my arms or legs, weighed down by extreme weakness and confusion. Although I hadn't been drinking that day, my history of substance use and my eating disorder at that time may have exacerbated the situation. The episode lasted around two hours, but the doctors did not conduct any tests and simply told me I had low sodium before sending me home. Initially, I attributed my symptoms to my unhealthy lifestyle, which led to a lack of urgency from medical professionals. However, since achieving sobriety and recovery over the past year, my symptoms have escalated, prompting me to seek help. Physical therapy has offered minimal relief, mostly addressing posture rather than my other issues. I'm currently awaiting a contrast MRI to determine whether a syrinx is present or if a tumor is responsible for my symptoms. The process has been frustrating, as my local hospital has lost my referral twice, delaying my appointment for nearly a month. To ensure I receive adequate care, I am now consulting a spinal specialist and neurologist who is located farther away. I feel a sense of anxiety about my situation. If it turns out to be a syrinx, what treatment options are available? Are my symptoms indeed connected to this condition? My blood tests have returned normal, which leads me to believe there are no deficiencies causing these issues. I dread the thought of living with these symptoms indefinitely. I’m also concerned that years of substance abuse and malnutrition might have contributed to my current state. Right now, as I type, I feel an intense squeezing sensation in my back, almost as if something is crawling beneath my skin. I have read that some individuals with a syrinx experience no symptoms at all; could it be likely that I’m dealing with something different?
Answers (1)
8/27/2025, 8:11:13 PM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable to feel anxious about your symptoms, especially with the uncertainty surrounding your health and the challenges you've experienced. Based on what you’ve described, your symptoms could potentially be associated with a thoracic cord syrinx, which is a fluid-filled cavity within the spinal cord. However, there are other conditions that could also explain your sensations, such as multiple sclerosis or even effects from previous substance use. Let's break this down to clarify your concerns and outline actionable steps.
Key Points
- Your symptoms—tingling, stiffness, fatigue, and previous episodes of weakness—are significant and warrant further investigation.
- A syrinx can lead to neurological symptoms, but it might not be the only explanation.
- Currently, you are awaiting critical diagnostic testing (MRI), which is essential to understanding your condition further.
Explanation
A syrinx can occur due to various reasons, including congenital issues, trauma, or complications from conditions like Chiari malformation. Symptoms may include pain, weakness, sensory changes, and sometimes stiffness. Importantly, not everyone with a syrinx has noticeable symptoms; some may be asymptomatic.
Given your history of anxiety surrounding health issues, it’s normal to feel uneasy. Remember, many people experience similar sensations due to a wide range of conditions, and identifying the underlying cause is crucial for appropriate management.
Next Steps
-
Wait for MRI Results: The MRI will provide valuable information about whether a syrinx or other abnormalities (such as a tumor) are present. Holding onto hope and focusing on what you can control is essential.
-
Symptom Tracking: Keep a detailed log of your symptoms, including when they occur, their severity, and any triggers (like stress or certain activities). This will help healthcare providers understand your condition better.
-
Self-Care Strategies:
- Stay Hydrated: Adequate fluid intake supports overall health and can help with fatigue.
- Mindfulness Practices: Engage in mindfulness or relaxation techniques to manage anxiety and help cope with physical sensations.
- Gentle Exercise: If possible, incorporate light stretching or yoga, especially for your back. These can promote relaxation and maintain mobility without straining your body.
-
Prepare for Follow-up Appointments: Write down any questions or concerns you wish to discuss with your specialists. Understanding your treatment options if a syrinx is confirmed can alleviate some anxiety.
-
Communicate Changes: If you notice any rapidly worsening symptoms, like increasing weakness, changes in coordination, or new sensations, share these with your healthcare team promptly.
Reassurance
It’s commendable that you have made significant lifestyle changes and sought help for your past challenges. Your current efforts to navigate through this health journey show strength and resilience. Focus on the steps you can take now, and trust the ongoing process of evaluation to guide your path forward. If you ever have more questions or need further support, please reach out.
Related Questions
INTENSE Spine Discomfort, Breathing Difficulties, Muscle Twitches, and Sweating
To elaborate on the situation mentioned in the title, I’ve been experiencing unusual muscle twitches and spasms for the past few days, along with some discomfort in my back. However, today, I felt an unexpected sharp pain shoot through my spine, which has left my legs feeling numb and made it impossible for me to sit up straight. Additionally, I’ve been dealing with cold sweats for the last hour and struggling to breathe properly. Perhaps I’m just overanalyzing things and it’s a common occurrence, but the intensity of the pain is overwhelming—it's truly unbearable. I’m shaking quite a bit, and unfortunately, my parents aren’t responding to my attempts to reach them for help. I have a history of a chronic heart condition and arthritis, yet I’ve never experienced pain this severe, especially in my spine. For context, I am nearly 15 years old and female. My current medications include pain relievers, anxiety medication, beta blockers, and some vitamins, though those specifics may not be particularly relevant. I don’t smoke; however, I have tried vaping a few times, which might not matter much, but I thought it was worth mentioning as it was requested.
28-Year-Old Male Experiencing Scalp Sensations Post-Amitriptyline Treatment
I am a 28-year-old man in generally good health, without any cardiac concerns. Approximately a month ago, I encountered intense pain localized to one side of my head, which was unresponsive to paracetamol. However, a single dose of a migraine treatment provided substantial relief. Following that, I began a regimen of amitriptyline, starting at a nightly dose of 10 to 25 mg. While my head pain has diminished significantly—by about 90 to 95%—I now experience occasional uncomfortable sensations on my scalp. These feelings include pins and needles, a cooling sensation, and some crawling feelings near my hairline and ears. There are fleeting moments where I feel brief throbs lasting a second, but I do not have any persistent headaches. To clarify, I do not experience any of the following: - Nausea - Weakness in my limbs - Numbness - Changes in my vision - Coordination difficulties - Seizures The symptoms I have are transient, shifting around and often intensifying when I become conscious of them or as the day progresses. I would like to know: Is it common to experience these sensations during the recovery stage following episodes of neuralgia or migraine-like discomfort? Additionally, could the amitriptyline potentially be causing these temporary paresthetic sensations? I am seeking some reassurance or advice on what is typically observed during this healing process. Thank you.
Battling Chronic Nausea and Vomiting for Over Two Years
For the past two years, I (age 26, female) have been enduring an incredibly challenging health situation. I experience intense nausea daily and find myself vomiting numerous times, with almost nothing providing relief. To provide some background, I’m from West Texas and I currently weigh around 190 pounds, standing at 5’7”. Initially, my weight was about 211 pounds when these symptoms began, and it fluctuates frequently between 190 and 225 pounds. I engage in vaping and consume THC. Previously diagnosed with hypothyroidism, my condition seemingly resolved, according to my healthcare providers. Additionally, I have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). I have consistently faced irregular bowel movements, with stools that are loose and sometimes appear to have mucus. Compounding my struggles, I've also suffered from migraines. I have had an IUD for over five years, experiencing two insertions of the Kyleena device. In December 2022, my battle with health took a severe turn when I was diagnosed with stage 4 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, requiring chemotherapy treatment, specifically AVBD (Apologies for not recalling the exact medication names). By July 2023, I had fortunately achieved remission. However, after reaching remission, my vomiting worsened, transforming from primarily white foam to a mixture of 80% bile, any food I attempt to consume, and still white foam. This intense vomiting, accompanied by significant pain in my upper back, escalated to more than eight episodes daily by November 2023. At that time, THC seemed to be the only avenue for me to retain any food. During this tumultuous period, I consulted various doctors who, after confirming I wasn’t pregnant, attributed my symptoms to Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS). Immediately, I ceased THC consumption for over six months, yet the vomiting continued unabated. Each time, doctors would prescribe ondansetron, regardless of my claims that it provided no relief. I experimented with various diets recommended by medical professionals, but there were no improvements in my condition. Eventually, I obtained a referral to a gastroenterologist who intended to perform an endoscopy. However, the procedure was prohibitively expensive even with insurance, and thus was never conducted. This doctor also ordered blood tests to rule out several gastrointestinal disorders, such as Crohn's disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), and gluten sensitivity, but all results came back normal. Afterward, I had another appointment with a different gastroenterologist, but the doctor failed to meet with me. Instead, a nurse informed me that the doctor had merely recommended promethazine without conducting any tests or scheduling further visits. When I mentioned the possibility of gallbladder issues, the doctor laughed dismissively at my suggestion. Discussing my situation with my oncologist, he suggested that my heightened sensitivity to food odors stemmed from my chemotherapy experiences while I was working in fast food. While food smells indeed affect me, I'm primarily triggered by medical scents such as rubbing alcohol and cleaning agents. This ongoing ordeal has been overwhelmingly distressing. I now experience episodes of vomiting accompanied by bright red blood, presumably due to a throat tear. When I first encountered this troubling symptom, I consulted a doctor who appeared unfazed and prescribed a promethazine suppository, which does help but makes me extremely drowsy. My nausea persists nearly around the clock, often feeling as if there’s a heaviness in the upper part of my abdomen. I frequent urgent care facilities when my symptoms intensify, only to be met with minimal assistance since this is a chronic issue. Currently, I lack a primary care physician. Whenever I sought one, I encountered skepticism regarding my condition, with some healthcare professionals implying that I was exaggerating my symptoms. Though many physicians who do take my situation seriously seem baffled, I've lost count of the diverse medical experts I've consulted about these ongoing issues. If anyone has insight or suggestions, I would genuinely appreciate it. I can share my latest bloodwork results if that would be helpful—just let me know!
Strange Stomach Sensation Leading to Waking Up
Greetings. I'm a 36-year-old male, standing at 172 centimeters and weighing 90 kilograms. I don't take any medications, nor do I smoke. I've been living with diastasis recti for several years now, and I may also have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Additionally, I deal with fatty liver and kidney stones, though I assume these last two conditions are not related to my current concern. Occasionally, I experience a peculiar sensation that jolts me awake; it feels like a quick pulsing in my stomach. I’ve noticed it tends to affect the left side when I’m lying on my left side and the right side when on my right. Remarkably, it can occur even when I’m on my back. This strange feeling often escalates into a surge that fully rouses me. Alongside this, I sometimes feel prickling sensations throughout my body and fleeting lightheadedness. When this sensation disturbs my sleep while I’m turned to my side, shifting onto my back or the opposite side might alleviate it, but not always. In instances where I awaken while lying on my back, I discovered that gently pressing my hands on either side of my stomach can help, as can rising to a sitting or standing position. However, during my last two episodes—one a couple of weeks ago and another tonight—those techniques weren’t effective right away, which made me feel a bit anxious, prompting me to seek advice. Does anyone have insight into what might be going on? By the way, I’ve undergone routine ultrasound examinations of my abdomen by two different physicians during check-ups, both of whom assured me that everything appears normal, including my abdominal aorta and internal organs. They didn’t identify any issues at that time.
Understanding Tuberculosis Exposure Risk
A 26-year-old male, who neither drinks alcohol nor smokes, seeks to understand the implications of exposure to tuberculosis (TB). As an anesthesia technician, I became concerned after I encountered a TB-positive patient about a month ago. I had to enter the patient’s room several times to perform blood gas tests. On my first entry, I mistakenly wore my N95 mask incorrectly due to the hectic nature of attending to multiple rooms. From my research, it appears that TB is quite transmissible; direct exposure can pose a serious risk of infection. Transmission usually requires prolonged contact with an infected individual, particularly in a close or face-to-face setting. In this case, the patient was lying face down and appeared to be sleeping when I entered. I have already undergone testing for TB, but I am eager to deepen my understanding of the risks involved in these situations.