What ELSE might this be, other than MS.

[Wartigen]

I’ve had back problems for years, the beginning of canal stenosis and degeneration of the discs. Recently though I’ve had the weird sensation of cold/wet on my left buttock. This only started last week, I had been playing in the snow and thought I was sitting on a snowball that was melting - that’s how it feels - but I was totally dry.

Obviously Dr Google says MS. What else could it be? I had an MRI scan about 18 months ago and there was slight deterioration on the discs in my lumbar spine and a tiny bit of herniation. The Orthopedic Surgeon said I wasn’t a surgical case.

Any thoughts?

Oh yeah I have bilateral tinnitus and the ENT said it was probably “old age and wax”.

I get that cold, wet feeling on my buttock and thigh. It's definitely a slipped disc.

Yikes! What can you do about it?

I sometimes get that feeling and afaik I have no back problems. I don't even have back pain.

Ironically my ds doesn't get this and he actually has a neuromuscular condition!

You need to see a doctor urgently because this may be spinal cord compression - which is usually fully treatable but only if caught early (I am a doctor). The fact that an MRI was normal(ish) 18 months ago does not rule out cord compression now. Please get medical help.

BTW if you are Googling, spinal cord compression may come up in relation to cancer but please don't panic - that's just one type, it's often caused by a herniated ('slipped') disc.

I get the cold wet feeling down my left calf/shin. My back goes fairly often so I always just presumed it was a trapped nerve or such like. Never even thought more into it, I am NOT going to go Google now

@TheCanyon

I get the cold wet feeling down my left calf/shin. My back goes fairly often so I always just presumed it was a trapped nerve or such like. Never even thought more into it, I am NOT going to go Google now

Obviously I can't diagnose you or anyone else over MN. But, as a general rule, symptoms like this that come on gradually, and that come and go, are much less likely to be anything worrying than a symptom with sudden onset.

What is the concerning about the OP is that her symptoms are sudden onset, continuous and that she is already known to have spinal stenosis, so is at higher risk of cord compression.

I don't want to scare you OP - hopefully it will just turn out to be a regular slipped disc, but please don't take the chance.

@MissLucyEyelesbarrow Thankyou. Understood. I’ve reviewed my private medical insurance and am going to give the orthopaedic surgeon a call tomorrow morning. He examined me and has my scans etc. The canal stenosis was diagnosed 11 years ago. I’m not in any pain.