Hi,
I look forward to getting diagnosed, as many I'm sure do.  I'm grateful for your expertise and willingness to share it.  I sure hope it's not MS or any other diseases, however, am quite the determined type and figure I can beat just about anything! ha/ha. . .that said, would you mind I stay in touch? Is this forum necessarily the best way to do so? I understand that the Univerisity of Pa has the best doctors, however, I am seeing a Dr. here in Jersey out of Princeton Rutgers Neurology Group.  Any chance you know the group? One last comment/question. . .how important is it to get a 2nd opinion on diagnosis involving neurological disorders.  I'm just mapping out my game plan, in advance, and want to get expert advice.  So, you know, I'm not the type to go to doctors much and am kind of fresh out of water with all this. So, I apologize for all the question
Again, thanks, doesn't seem nearly enough! I'm very grateful,
Shelly

Hi,
   Altough,
1- the episodes you get are called " Brainstem paroxysms" , a reliable symptom for most MS specialist
2-  The MRI findings that you describe are most commonly seen in multiple sclerosis, but other possibilites exist. (Usually they also comment on the diffusion-weighted sequences, neaning no evidence for restricted diffusion is noted to suggest acute infarcts)
I would suggest a complete workup for CNS demyelinating disease (which includes MS). This would include
1-an  MRI of the brain (which you have had)
2- and cervical spine with contrast (GD),
3- a lumbar puncture (for signs of inflammation,IgG index, oligoclonal bands)
4- Visual evoked potentials (to look for past evidence of optic neuritis),
5-somatosensory evoked potentials (to look for occult spinal cord lesions)
6- and blood work including lyme antibodies (done), ANA, ESR, CRP, B12 (done) and EBV/CMV antibody titers. .

    Bob

Sir,
I wanted to mention/share an onset of symptoms that just occurred to me within the past few weeks. Out of no where, feeling of drunkeness (exactly like being drunk) and slurred speech, lapses in coordination. The feelings only last several seconds, however, they occur ALL throughout the day. My general Dr. said it was classic stress, however ordered an MRI, expecting nothing. MRI revealed (this is the synopsis): Increased Flair signal within the right centrum semiovale adjacent to the right lateral ventricle. The larger lesion measures 7 x 6 mm. The 2nd lesion just posterior to this measures 5 x 4 mm. there is a small approx 3 mm lesion within the sub cortical white matter of the left parietal lobe as well. Given age, appearance of these lesions are concerning for demyelinating diseases such as mutliple sclerosis, etc.
I've scheduled a consult w/a neurologist, but was reading some of the comments here and thought you were very gratious and sincere, and it's nice to see that you are still sharing your experience and knowledge with patients. So, sorry to ask, but what do you think of the above mention? I should add that I'm 37, good shape, 3 children, blood came back good for thyroid, CBC panel was good, lyme neg., and auticardiolip neg. I have more results on the blood work, but was worried to go on and on
thank you for your time, I hope to hear for you,
Shelly
p.s. I have met some folks in Canada - former OPP Commish Bonifice and Morris Elbers - great people!