3 lesions found on MRI, yet neuro. isn't concerned...

[CheeserNurse]

Last October I had an MRI and the MRI showed a few lesions on my brain, but not enough for my neurologist to really be concerned at that time--he wasn't suspecting anything real neuro-related....then, based on different blood tests he ordered, I was diagnosed with a vitamin b12 deficiency and the symptoms went away (somewhat) after I began taking my supplement b12. Well, it is almost as if I've" relapsed" and the symptoms are just as bad, if not worse.. My symptoms include the following: I can hardly stand in a non-moving position for long periods of time without feeling EXTREME pressure in my head, like I'm being pushed down to the ground while standing on a rocking boat, almost like a feeling like you're getting off an escalator, which is made worse when I'm sitting down and standing up straight and very still...definitely vertigo! I  feel VERY unbalanced and when the attacks come on, I feel like I'm having a stroke because I feel 'odd' sensations in my head too. So this school semester, I went back to my neurologist and he came to the conclusion that I was experiencing the 'classic' symptoms of MS-multiple sclerosis, and I talked about my symptoms in depth with him, and I have almost all the symptoms...trouble swallowing, sensitive to heat, constipation, tingling in my fingertips, muscle spasms, vertigo, feeling very fatigued, etc.

He ordered another MRI and 2 more lesions were found. I sat down with my neurologist and we looked at my most recent MRI...although he pointed out 3 very small 'lesions', he is convinced that I do not have MS or any neuro. problems. He was suspecting MS because my symptoms so closely related to MS, but because my MRI from October was almost the exact same, not a 'distinct' change, he ruled out MS. He said that MS patients show significant changes in their brain scans, etc... He, did talk to me quite a while about migraines, -and the vertigo symptoms I feel definitely accompany EXTREME pressure in my head. Apparently you can have migraine related vertigo??  I recently began seeing a neurology chiropractor and did find out that my C2 vertebra is out of alignment, almost twisted and not in alignment with my other vertebra. I also have no curvature in my neck vertebra, almost a completely straight line. The adjustments he has been doing on me have helped, but not fully. He assessed me more thoroughly than my own MD Neurologist!  I'm a nursing student, so I am aware of the abnormalities going on in my body. I saw an ENT, he ruled out inner ear vertigo, saw an ophthalmologist, he ruled out vertigo, and the chiropractor believes my symptoms are definitely a result of my brain. Do you think I should get a 2nd opinion from a different MD neuro?? I feel like I'm a hopeless case, but for as much as I know about health care, I would think the answers are out there somewhere! For as bad as these symptoms are, it's hard for me to just accept them as 'normal.' I'm in desperate need of help. My neurologist did not refer me to anyone else, nor did he give me any answers as to where I should go next....Please help!!! I've researched MS a lot and have talked to a few with it as well, but I'm clueless!

[CheeserNurse]

Thanks so much for taking the time to share this information with me here! I will check Dr. Hain's website out tonight!

~Aleah

[Nancy T]

P.S. As you probably know, migraines can cause small lesions in the brain. Which, again, is not to say that that IS what your lesions are from...only that it's possible.

Be sure to follow all the various internal links on Dr. Hain's page--he actually has several pages on migraine and some of them are more detailed than others. For example, he discusses white-matter lesions on one of them and says: "between 12-47% of patients with migraine have these white matter lesions."

Best wishes,
Nancy

[CheeserNurse]

Wow - all I have to say is that I am just so happy and grateful to all of you who have responded so quickly! This is such a blessing to me in so many ways!! And Heather, my neuro. basically told me that some people are "born" with lesions on their brain. Every person I have shared this with, including MS patients, tell me that they have NEVER heard a neuro. mention that. But of course, I automatically assumed he was right, because, after all, he is the educated one...oh dear, oh dear - I am glad I now know the truth!

I really appreciate your story about your lesions, and that really clears up a lot for me! I'm glad to know that the lesions are progressive, and not always immediate. Nonetheless, it was disheartening sitting down with my neuro., he showing me the MRI, and seeing the 3 lesions and him brushing it off like it was no big deal...I left his office frustrated and totally emotional. For as terrible as I feel with these symptoms, I was almost 'hoping' for a diagnosis - not that I wish MS on anyone, but at least with a diagnosis I could have had a firm plan on what to do next!

I am a nursing student, and currently while I am at clinicals, it's the least I can do to even feel that I can stand up at times! I told my neuro this, just in desperation, and it didn't phase him. He also told me that since I didn't have any vision disturbances or loss of vision in one eye that he wasn't concerned about MS. The worse symptom is this vertigo feeling and feeling that I cannot keep my balance. I know every MS case is different and I am so glad that I am becoming more educated with my own research and the words of everyone on here!

Keepin' the faith,
Aleah :)

[Nancy T]

Hi Aleah. I hope you succeed in finding relief from your symptoms and, better yet, a diagnosis. It can be very difficult.

Migraine-associated vertigo (MAV) is actually quite common. Migraine can cause a lot of very strange symptoms and affects the vestibular system in many cases. I don't think I'm supposed to post a link here, but please Google timothy hain migraine and you will get to Dr. Hain's MAV page. He is a highly respected Chicago neurologist specializing in dizziness and has a great page on migraine-associated vertigo that I think you will appreciate (it is written for patients but is still quite scientific, detailed, and full of references).

I'm not saying I think that (some of) your symptoms are due to migraine--only that it is a very common thing and worth checking out with respect to the pressure/dizziness/vertigo sensations you are having. Many people get great relief from their dizziness by taking one of the many migraine-preventive medications available and/or by identifying and avoiding triggers.

Good luck!

Nancy

[CheeserNurse]

Thanks so much Ess. It's good to know that many of the members here have had bad experiences with Mayo and Cleveland. I trust your word and I will keep that in mind. I thought I had researched that MS or MS-symptoms are first diagnosed/recognized in your 20s, so it would make 'sense' since I am 22. I am going to research and see if there is an MS support group here in my area, as well as a neurologist who specializes in MS. I will keep you all posted. Thank you again! I no longer feel like I am alone!!

:-) Aleah

[Heather3418]

I forgot.   Even ONE lesion is NOT normal and SHOULD be explained.  Your Neuro is not explaining why you show lesions, in my opinon, because his "ideas" just don't fit.

Heather