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Neurology (Expert Forum)
multiple sclerosis question
This forum is for questions and support regarding neurology issues such as: Alzheimer's Disease, ALS, Autism, Brain Cancer, Cerebral Palsy, Chronic Pain, Epilepsy, Fibromyalgia, Headaches, MS, Neuralgia, Neuropathy, Parkinson's Disease, RSD, Sleep Disorders, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury
multiple sclerosis question
by larandsandy, Dec 11, 2006 12:00AM
I have a question regarding some symptoms that I have been having once in awhile. I am a 43 yo female. I have suffered from migraine headaches since 10 or 11. I have both the classic and common type headaches and have had mri's that indicate lesions on the matter of the brain. My symptoms that concern me are that the past couple of years I have episodes of extreme vertigo and then weakness that typically lasts a few weeks. It starts out as vertigo with nausea and then the weakness sets in. Then it seems to let up and I feel ok again. I can also get this for a shorter period of time. It concerns me and I was wondering if you think it may be multiple sclerosis? I have a family history of neurological diseases (father-Lewy Body Disease, paternal aunt - migraine, Pic's Disease). Any insight would be appreciated. Thank you.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-SH, Jan 03, 2007 12:00AM
First of all, keep in mind that I am unable to diagnose you because I am unable to examine you, this forum is for educational purposes.
The symptoms that you describe are non-specific, and more information is need to tell the difference between basilar type migraines, multiple sclerosis or others. Basilar migraine headaches can cause vertigo, nausea and a sense of depletion. The treatment for these is usually a prophylactic agent such as elavil, topamax, nadolol, etc. Your MRI that indicates 'lesions in the [white]matter' of the brain is a start but you need a cervical spine MRI (both brain and C-spine with contrast) a lumbar puncture to look for inflammation (IgG index, oligoclonal bands) and visual evoked potentials. As far as the neurodengerative diseases that you mentioned (lewy body, picks) I would recommend neuro-psych testing for a baseline study and to detect any early signs of dementia.
I hope this has been helpful.
The symptoms that you describe are non-specific, and more information is need to tell the difference between basilar type migraines, multiple sclerosis or others. Basilar migraine headaches can cause vertigo, nausea and a sense of depletion. The treatment for these is usually a prophylactic agent such as elavil, topamax, nadolol, etc. Your MRI that indicates 'lesions in the [white]matter' of the brain is a start but you need a cervical spine MRI (both brain and C-spine with contrast) a lumbar puncture to look for inflammation (IgG index, oligoclonal bands) and visual evoked potentials. As far as the neurodengerative diseases that you mentioned (lewy body, picks) I would recommend neuro-psych testing for a baseline study and to detect any early signs of dementia.
I hope this has been helpful.
Good Luck!
JCmcc.
Yes,MS can cause lesions in the grey matter,usually they go undetected .Some technology has advanced to detect grey matter lesions with MS.They have limited resourses and studies are advancing in MS.Studies have shown at autopsy that 30-35 % of patients with MS had grey matter lesions.
If you google grey matter lesions+ms theres a wealth of info and studies.