Aa
New migraine symptom/MRI normal??
Yuck..Migraines. I have had them since I was about 12. For the past few years they have been changing quite a bit and my most recent one had the scariest symptom I have had yet. I had sat down at the computer and realized I couldn't make out anything in front of me. The words made zero sense. I looked up at my cat and couldn't figure out her name. I had called my mother, and couldn't get any of my words to come out properly. They were all just a big jumbled mess. It wasn't slurred .... it was the wrong words altogether. She got very nervous and told me I could either go to the ER or she was calling an ambulance for me so instead of having a big scene, I agreed to go.
The ER doc sent me home telling me it was a complicated migraine. Well since then, two weeks ago, I have continued to have tingling in my left hand, as well as my tongue. I also have a lump on the top of my head which is extremely sensitive. Just sitting normal it feels like pressure, and touching it even the slightest bit hurts. I followed up with my normal Dr like I was told to do. He ordered an MRI of the brain. I received a call today telling me "everything looked normal".
I had requested a copy of the MRI images at the time of the MRI. There are a few things on there that are of concern to me, not being a Dr and simply not knowing what they are. I was hoping that someone could possibly give me an idea of what these are, and if they are indeed something normal.
The ER doc sent me home telling me it was a complicated migraine. Well since then, two weeks ago, I have continued to have tingling in my left hand, as well as my tongue. I also have a lump on the top of my head which is extremely sensitive. Just sitting normal it feels like pressure, and touching it even the slightest bit hurts. I followed up with my normal Dr like I was told to do. He ordered an MRI of the brain. I received a call today telling me "everything looked normal".
I had requested a copy of the MRI images at the time of the MRI. There are a few things on there that are of concern to me, not being a Dr and simply not knowing what they are. I was hoping that someone could possibly give me an idea of what these are, and if they are indeed something normal.
now i'm going to respond specifically to yours, since there are a lot of similarities. i've had your same experience w/ the computer, getting words out, the whole thing, dozens of times. sometimes worse than others. like i said before, i keep having tingling in my hands & left face.
you mentioned dizziness/lightheaded. i don't know how much of this is sinusitis related, since i've been battling the longest cold i've ever had (living in polluted china) -2.5 mos, which finally is sinusitis that i can't kick. but i'm dizzy everyday - it's just a way of life so it's hard to know what's causing it.
Dr.Santos mentions mastoiditis -middle ear infection. i know that causes dizziness, etc. and neither of us have/had those symptoms, just the dizziness.
if you're still on, please let me know how it all turned out!
you mentioned dizziness/lightheaded. i don't know how much of this is sinusitis related, since i've been battling the longest cold i've ever had (living in polluted china) -2.5 mos, which finally is sinusitis that i can't kick. but i'm dizzy everyday - it's just a way of life so it's hard to know what's causing it.
Dr.Santos mentions mastoiditis -middle ear infection. i know that causes dizziness, etc. and neither of us have/had those symptoms, just the dizziness.
if you're still on, please let me know how it all turned out!
maybe this will help-i'm pasting it many places, so sorry if you've seen it before!
some part of it might connect with your story-
I've had these things for 14 yrs now, & this is the first time i've ever gotten involved w/ a forum!
lots of things to say that seem like might help others, so here goes!
there must be a genetic component, b/c my mom (i'm 35) has been able to guide me through it since she had the same thing. she hasn't had one (i think) since menopause, so we believe there's a hormone component.
i had my 1st one after being on the birth control pill for just under a year. sounds just like many stories: going numb on 1 side, but i completely could not communicate, talk, write, my vision went weird, hearing in & out-i woke up in the hospital cuz i blacked out completely. i literally thought i had gone crazy. the ER doc told me (i was only 21 & very naive!) it was a TIA brought on by the BC pill & to never go on it again, that some women couldn't handle the hormones.
we moved from CO (high altitude & 300 days of sun) to Chicago (not much sun & sea level), & for 8-9 yrs, i didn't have a single one. as soon as we moved back to CO, I had maybe 3 within a couple months, & a few more within our 3 yrs there.
mine were so bad a couple put me in the ER b/c i couldn't function & people around me didn't know what to do!
i also had never had headaches, but boy did i get a rude awakening!
mine slowly (maybe several minutes) went from tingly numbing face, hands, arms (usually 1 side, sometimes both) to worse & worse confusion, always losing my ability to communicate, read, write-anything. my husband has gotten used to it, keeping my kids away b/c i get really confused easily, then i cry b/c it's scary.
anyway, if i took a Maxalt right away, it would keep the headache at bay, then i'd need a solid 12 hrs to sleep, & i'd be pretty normal the next day-maybe just a bit tired.
they varied in severity. then we moved 2008 to China (sea level, completely different climate). i didn't have one the 1st year; i had a mild one the 2nd year, & i just had maybe my worst ever 2 wks ago. i had been convinced it was the altitude, sun, maybe dehydration. but not so apparently!
here's a theory: 3 mos. ago I had a D+C for a year's worth of irregular bleeding. it could very well be the whole hormone theory wreaking havoc on my body. who knows.
but this aura was so bad that it made me more depressed than ever (thinking thoughts like "what if this is related to alzheimers & dementia like my grama? what if i lose my mental acuity more & more from this?" i've heard we suffer slight brain damage from these!). in the last couple years i have just felt like my mind is slipping, i'm not as quick as i used to be-not getting younger, right:)
importantly, the Maxalt simply didn't work this time. i had maybe the worst headache EVER-i was writhing in pain. i have the utmost sympathy now for sufferers. i was also confused from the moment i woke 7am for maybe 8-10hrs, but still slow for days after. yes, i need help. i don't have the medical care till summer, but will for sure get it!
i am now working part time, so it's not necessarily stress, although i do have 1.5 special needs kids (1 pretty needy, the other not as much)
hand tingling & overall cloudiness of mental state has become normal almost daily occurances, but i notice less if i'm active & outdoors.
i just have to acknowledge that at least i'm at peace about it b/c of strong faith. God will take care of me & lead me to the right doctors & medication & won't give me more than i can handle. look to Him, the Great Physician...
-fellow sufferer
some part of it might connect with your story-
I've had these things for 14 yrs now, & this is the first time i've ever gotten involved w/ a forum!
lots of things to say that seem like might help others, so here goes!
there must be a genetic component, b/c my mom (i'm 35) has been able to guide me through it since she had the same thing. she hasn't had one (i think) since menopause, so we believe there's a hormone component.
i had my 1st one after being on the birth control pill for just under a year. sounds just like many stories: going numb on 1 side, but i completely could not communicate, talk, write, my vision went weird, hearing in & out-i woke up in the hospital cuz i blacked out completely. i literally thought i had gone crazy. the ER doc told me (i was only 21 & very naive!) it was a TIA brought on by the BC pill & to never go on it again, that some women couldn't handle the hormones.
we moved from CO (high altitude & 300 days of sun) to Chicago (not much sun & sea level), & for 8-9 yrs, i didn't have a single one. as soon as we moved back to CO, I had maybe 3 within a couple months, & a few more within our 3 yrs there.
mine were so bad a couple put me in the ER b/c i couldn't function & people around me didn't know what to do!
i also had never had headaches, but boy did i get a rude awakening!
mine slowly (maybe several minutes) went from tingly numbing face, hands, arms (usually 1 side, sometimes both) to worse & worse confusion, always losing my ability to communicate, read, write-anything. my husband has gotten used to it, keeping my kids away b/c i get really confused easily, then i cry b/c it's scary.
anyway, if i took a Maxalt right away, it would keep the headache at bay, then i'd need a solid 12 hrs to sleep, & i'd be pretty normal the next day-maybe just a bit tired.
they varied in severity. then we moved 2008 to China (sea level, completely different climate). i didn't have one the 1st year; i had a mild one the 2nd year, & i just had maybe my worst ever 2 wks ago. i had been convinced it was the altitude, sun, maybe dehydration. but not so apparently!
here's a theory: 3 mos. ago I had a D+C for a year's worth of irregular bleeding. it could very well be the whole hormone theory wreaking havoc on my body. who knows.
but this aura was so bad that it made me more depressed than ever (thinking thoughts like "what if this is related to alzheimers & dementia like my grama? what if i lose my mental acuity more & more from this?" i've heard we suffer slight brain damage from these!). in the last couple years i have just felt like my mind is slipping, i'm not as quick as i used to be-not getting younger, right:)
importantly, the Maxalt simply didn't work this time. i had maybe the worst headache EVER-i was writhing in pain. i have the utmost sympathy now for sufferers. i was also confused from the moment i woke 7am for maybe 8-10hrs, but still slow for days after. yes, i need help. i don't have the medical care till summer, but will for sure get it!
i am now working part time, so it's not necessarily stress, although i do have 1.5 special needs kids (1 pretty needy, the other not as much)
hand tingling & overall cloudiness of mental state has become normal almost daily occurances, but i notice less if i'm active & outdoors.
i just have to acknowledge that at least i'm at peace about it b/c of strong faith. God will take care of me & lead me to the right doctors & medication & won't give me more than i can handle. look to Him, the Great Physician...
-fellow sufferer
MRI findings Nov 2005
There is increased signal in the left mastoids suggesting fluid. This is present posteriorly and inferiorly rather than close to the inner ear structures. There is no evidence of intracranial hemorrhage, mass, or edema. There are no foci of abnormal restricted diffusion to suggest recent stroke. There are only a few tiny foci of increased signal in deep white matter in each frontal lobe which are nonspecific and not uncommon. No brainstem or cerebellar lesions are demonstrated. Ventricles are normal in size and shape.
Impression: Findings suggesting mastoiditis on the left. The examination is otherwise unremarkable.
MRI findings April 2010
There are no abnormal extraaxial fluid collections. No mass lesions are identified and there is no shift in midline structures. There are a few small foci of T2 lengthening deep in the deep white matter of both hemispheres. These are nonspecific but can be seen in association with migraine syndrome. There are no abnormal areas of restricted diffusion.
Impression: There are a few small nonspecific foci of T2 lengthening in the deep white matter of both hemispheres which can be seen in association with migraine syndrome. Otherwise unremarkable MRI of the brain.
There is increased signal in the left mastoids suggesting fluid. This is present posteriorly and inferiorly rather than close to the inner ear structures. There is no evidence of intracranial hemorrhage, mass, or edema. There are no foci of abnormal restricted diffusion to suggest recent stroke. There are only a few tiny foci of increased signal in deep white matter in each frontal lobe which are nonspecific and not uncommon. No brainstem or cerebellar lesions are demonstrated. Ventricles are normal in size and shape.
Impression: Findings suggesting mastoiditis on the left. The examination is otherwise unremarkable.
MRI findings April 2010
There are no abnormal extraaxial fluid collections. No mass lesions are identified and there is no shift in midline structures. There are a few small foci of T2 lengthening deep in the deep white matter of both hemispheres. These are nonspecific but can be seen in association with migraine syndrome. There are no abnormal areas of restricted diffusion.
Impression: There are a few small nonspecific foci of T2 lengthening in the deep white matter of both hemispheres which can be seen in association with migraine syndrome. Otherwise unremarkable MRI of the brain.
Thank you for your response.
I'm not 100% convinced on the mastoiditis, just to throw that out there. Like I said, 5 years ago when I had my MRI done, the Dr said nothing to me of the findings on the MRI. I was told "everything looks normal". I was never told that the MRI report said anything about it. Looking up information on Mastoiditis, I do not have a lot of the symptoms that come along with it. I have no drainage of the ear, no heading loss, no pain in my ears, and while there is a lump I can feel on that side of my head behind the ear, there is no redness or swelling, and it does not hurt to touch it. At the time the symptoms first presented (the balance problems, dizziness, etc) I had not been sick for a long time prior. There was no ear infection or anything.
I'm just really confused as to why the report from the MRI I had on April 22nd said everything was normal, and didn't pick up on whatever it is on the left side. Clearly there is something there, I just want to know what it is.
Also, I don't know if this is related or not but I did recently get told I have TMJD, which I think could account for some of the balance issues as well as headaches. I see an oral surgeon for that in June. That came up because I have always had popping in my jaw (I'd say since I was about 18 years old....27 now) and more recently it has been becoming very painful. I went to my Dr for that, she heard the popping, said it was TMJD, and set me up for the appt with the Oral Surgeon. This was in February of this year, and my appt with the oral surgeon isn't until June.
I'm not 100% convinced on the mastoiditis, just to throw that out there. Like I said, 5 years ago when I had my MRI done, the Dr said nothing to me of the findings on the MRI. I was told "everything looks normal". I was never told that the MRI report said anything about it. Looking up information on Mastoiditis, I do not have a lot of the symptoms that come along with it. I have no drainage of the ear, no heading loss, no pain in my ears, and while there is a lump I can feel on that side of my head behind the ear, there is no redness or swelling, and it does not hurt to touch it. At the time the symptoms first presented (the balance problems, dizziness, etc) I had not been sick for a long time prior. There was no ear infection or anything.
I'm just really confused as to why the report from the MRI I had on April 22nd said everything was normal, and didn't pick up on whatever it is on the left side. Clearly there is something there, I just want to know what it is.
Also, I don't know if this is related or not but I did recently get told I have TMJD, which I think could account for some of the balance issues as well as headaches. I see an oral surgeon for that in June. That came up because I have always had popping in my jaw (I'd say since I was about 18 years old....27 now) and more recently it has been becoming very painful. I went to my Dr for that, she heard the popping, said it was TMJD, and set me up for the appt with the Oral Surgeon. This was in February of this year, and my appt with the oral surgeon isn't until June.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi,
How are you? Mastoiditis or infection of the mastoid bone of the skull is usually caused by a middle ear infection. The infection may spread from the ear to the mastoid bone of the skull that is seen in MRI. Also, this condition may be difficult to treat because medications may not reach deep enough into the mastoid bone. It may require repeated or long-term treatment, and surgery to remove part of the bone and drain the mastoid. Mastoiditis is curable with treatment but it may be hard to treat and may come back. This may be a good thing to look into. Have this evaluated further by your doctor for proper management. Warm regards.
How are you? Mastoiditis or infection of the mastoid bone of the skull is usually caused by a middle ear infection. The infection may spread from the ear to the mastoid bone of the skull that is seen in MRI. Also, this condition may be difficult to treat because medications may not reach deep enough into the mastoid bone. It may require repeated or long-term treatment, and surgery to remove part of the bone and drain the mastoid. Mastoiditis is curable with treatment but it may be hard to treat and may come back. This may be a good thing to look into. Have this evaluated further by your doctor for proper management. Warm regards.
I went ahead and uploaded some other images from the MRI of that thing on the left. Don't know if it makes a difference or not.
Thanks rumpled for your response.
As far as the picture, this is just one of many of course. The cd I have has over 400 pictures on it, I just picked one of the pictures which showed both of my concern spots at the same time.
As far as why she is not treating me, her response is always a simple one. Unless I am getting 4 or more migraines a week she will not put me on any preventative meds. I have not had my hormones checked. A couple months ago they tried to put me on birth control and my migraines skyrocketed, so I stopped taking them. Her only response to that was "good thinking"
As far as finding another Dr, not to make excuses, but I'm in very very small town northern Wisconsin. The clinic system we have is pretty much all we have. I have tried a few different doctors, which are in the same system of course, and they always have my records right there on the computer. I have heard SO many times "well she said this, so who am I to go against it?" It's very frustrating. My thoughts have been strongly pushing toward making a few hour drive to get out of this clinic system and finding a better Dr. Perhaps a Dr in the Minneapolis area would better help me.
As far as the MRI that I had before, I did call and got the report from that today. (Well both, the recent MRI and the one I had before) The last one was done in Nov of 05. At that time, I took the word of the Dr's so.....I didn't think much of it when they told me "everything looks fine" Well after getting the report today, it stated "impression: findings suggesting mastoiditis on the left". I am going to be receiving a copy of the images from that MRI on Monday. (They were in storage so needed some time to get them out I guess *shrugs*)
As far as the picture, this is just one of many of course. The cd I have has over 400 pictures on it, I just picked one of the pictures which showed both of my concern spots at the same time.
As far as why she is not treating me, her response is always a simple one. Unless I am getting 4 or more migraines a week she will not put me on any preventative meds. I have not had my hormones checked. A couple months ago they tried to put me on birth control and my migraines skyrocketed, so I stopped taking them. Her only response to that was "good thinking"
As far as finding another Dr, not to make excuses, but I'm in very very small town northern Wisconsin. The clinic system we have is pretty much all we have. I have tried a few different doctors, which are in the same system of course, and they always have my records right there on the computer. I have heard SO many times "well she said this, so who am I to go against it?" It's very frustrating. My thoughts have been strongly pushing toward making a few hour drive to get out of this clinic system and finding a better Dr. Perhaps a Dr in the Minneapolis area would better help me.
As far as the MRI that I had before, I did call and got the report from that today. (Well both, the recent MRI and the one I had before) The last one was done in Nov of 05. At that time, I took the word of the Dr's so.....I didn't think much of it when they told me "everything looks fine" Well after getting the report today, it stated "impression: findings suggesting mastoiditis on the left". I am going to be receiving a copy of the images from that MRI on Monday. (They were in storage so needed some time to get them out I guess *shrugs*)
The two circles on the bottom... you have selected a *slice* that is behind your ears - see in the pic where you can just about see the start of your lobes? Well, if you look at a pic of the brain, it is narrower at the back - and the darker parts at the side are where your ears and blood vessels and stuff are - smaller bony structures are not seen well on an MRI.
As for the little thingy up top... I have that too... not sure what it is, I always thought it was a bit of spanky... I have a couple of MRI pics in my profile, but further in, by my pituitary, but I cut off spanky.
They did the MRI to make sure you did not have a tumor, now that they ruled that out - you still need treatment for the migraines. You need a preventive medication and one to zap it once you get one... why the doc is not thinking of treating you, no idea, but get Dr Ditz on the ball! or find a new one. Have your had a hormone check? They cause a lot of headaches too.
As for the little thingy up top... I have that too... not sure what it is, I always thought it was a bit of spanky... I have a couple of MRI pics in my profile, but further in, by my pituitary, but I cut off spanky.
They did the MRI to make sure you did not have a tumor, now that they ruled that out - you still need treatment for the migraines. You need a preventive medication and one to zap it once you get one... why the doc is not thinking of treating you, no idea, but get Dr Ditz on the ball! or find a new one. Have your had a hormone check? They cause a lot of headaches too.
I just wanted to add I have been having a lot of issues over the past 5 years. I have been worked over and over and over. Balance issues are my biggest thing...not necessarily dizzy but lightheaded or off balance. I have a damaged long thoracic nerve causing a winged scapula (which I never received an answer as to how that could have happened) and also scoliosis (at one time I seem to remember hearing the term roto-scoliosis) I'm not sure if any of this could be related.
I have had a table tilt test, a test where they shot water into my ear (I'm sorry...I can't remember what it is called) wore a heart monitor for a month, this is my second brain MRI (first one 5 years ago when the symptoms first started). I can't remember off the top of my head what else I had done. (perhaps memory loss HA)
I have had a table tilt test, a test where they shot water into my ear (I'm sorry...I can't remember what it is called) wore a heart monitor for a month, this is my second brain MRI (first one 5 years ago when the symptoms first started). I can't remember off the top of my head what else I had done. (perhaps memory loss HA)
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Migraines and Headaches Community
Top Neurology Answerers
Allentown, PA
Queen Creek, AZ
Queensland, Australia
Trinity , TX
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
In this special Missouri Medicine report, doctors examine advances in diagnosis and treatment of this devastating and costly neurodegenerative disease.
Here are 12 simple – and fun! – ways to boost your brainpower.
Discover some of the causes of dizziness and how to treat it.
Discover the common causes of headaches and how to treat headache pain.
Two of the largest studies on Alzheimer’s have yielded new clues about the disease
