It's been about a year since my last MRI

[Starlyght24]

I have had 3 brain MRIs since 2012.  I just had my most recent one this past Friday.  I go to see my doctor this Friday. I am a 33 year old female with no diagnose.  My follow up MRI's keep saying no changes but their descriptions are always different.  For instance:

My 1st MRI August 2012 -

Lesions present in my right and left periventricular white matter, the corpus callosum, and in the subcortical white matter concerning for a demyelinating disorder such as MS.

My 2nd MRI July 2013 -

Again there is somewhat confluent T2 hyperintensity involving the left aspect of the corpus callosum, minimal on the contralateral side.  Also, scattered bifrontal subcortical hyperintensities.  There is no increase in extent of the compared to the previous exam.  Appearance is suspicious for demyelinating process.

My 3rd MRI Sept 2014 -

There are greater than 20 total lesions of increased T2-weighted signal intensity in the brain, many of which are confluent.  Of these lesions, approximately multiple are periventricular, multiple are juxtacortical, and none are infratentorial.  None of these lesions enhance.  Impression:  Mild nonspecific cerebral white matter disease without change from 8/3/12.  

I get migraines so I don't know if these lesions are caused from that or what.  I have been seeing an MS Specialist since 2012 but I have no symptoms.  I am just in limbo land and really wish someone could tell me something.  From all of my own research, MS is found in certain areas of the brain and the lesions have a specific look.  

What do you all think of my MRIs in the experience that you have had?

Thank you for reading!

[HVAC]

No test rules MS in or out they go by the McDonald Criteria. I had MRIs showing MS but had no attacks while being followed by the Neurologists so they said you will be diagnosed with MS it it can't be anything but MS but no one would diagnose me. For me it took the LP which is negative for a lot of MSers. They need a blood test. I am in a study to develop a blood test. It is almost Barbaric the diagnosis process. In the future doctors will marvel at it.

Alex

[Starlyght24]

Thanks Karry,

I will have to ask my MS specialist about it  I have been seeing him since 2012 and he has never brought this up.  I have 2 kids and had no problems with the pregnancies.  I have had migraines since I was in middle school.  I would have ones that would make my tongue and left side of my body go numb.  I had ones that would make me vomit.  I can't take birth control because of the type of migraines I get put me at more of a risk of having stroke.  I am just hoping to get some answers soon :)

[karryon55]

Some people with APS have just migraines or headaches & no other symptoms but many women have a history of miscarriage. Some doctors say "well if you've got 2 kids then you can't have APS" but that is not true because some women don't have problems with their pregnancy. It's just more common for women to have problems when they are pregnant.

I would recommend you see a haematologist if you already have reasons for clotting. I would definitely insist on the 3 APS blood tests as just because you don't have symptoms now a major event in APS could cause you unwanted symptoms that could be life altering. I'm sure the MS specialist will look into this type of testing though because it is a major mimic but just incase you they don't know about it.

Karry.

[Starlyght24]

Thank you for the info!  I will have to check into that.  I currently don't have MS symptoms.  After my first MRI results my PCP automatically sent me to a MS specialist.  They did several blood tests but it doesn't look like any of these were done.  

My Protein S blood test came back low which means I am at more of a risk for developing blood clots.  I am suppose to take an aspirin everyday for the rest of my life.

[karryon55]

I was wondering if the doctors have checked you for APS / Anti phospholipid Syndrome which recently changed it's name to Hughes Syndrome? This is linked to migraines but can also cause your blood to carry antibodies which in turn can make your blood sticky.

There are 3 blood tests you should have done & then repeated again a couple of months later. These are not your typical blood tests for clotting. They are called: aCL or Anticardiolipin Antibodies, anti-B2GP1 or Anti-beta2-glycoprotein-1 & LA  or Lupus Anticoagulant (which doesn't mean you have Lupus).

It can cause lesions in the brain & if you look at the Hughes Foundation site they actually have put MS as a mimic of APS/Hughes. It is one of the conditions that mimic MS very well & is often misdiagnosed as MS. It's certainly one I would look into if I was in your shoes.

www.hughes-syndrome.org

It is not a rare condition but unfortunately many doctors don't look into it or really don't understand the condition very well. There is a lot of confusion as well with the different names for this condition but it was named several years ago after Professor Hughes but many doctors have not heard of that so probably say APS to your Neuro lol. It gets too confusing :D

Good Luck & keep us updated.

Karry.

[kwarendorf]

Are you experiencing symptoms other than headaches?

Kyle

[Starlyght24]

Yes I was shocked to see 20 plus lesions!!  I am seeing my MS specialist again this Friday.  I will see what he says.  I am also thinking about getting a second opinion too.  

[Joiedecour]

Again not an expert at all but @33 with 20+ lesions that would have to be supremely premature ischemic disease. If I were you I 'd be wanting to see a neurologist with specialist knowledge of ms.

[Starlyght24]

Hello,

I went in originally to be diagnosed for migraine headaches.  They did a CT scan that came back abnormal for my age.  Then I had all of the MRI's.  This last MRI's full impression states:

Mild non specific cerebral white matter disease without change from 8/3/12.  The differential diagnosis includes premature chronic small vessel ischemic disease (especially if the patient has cardiovascular risk factors), demyelinating disease such as multiple sclerosis, drug abuse, vasculitis, or reactive astrocytosis (gliosis) secondary to nonspecific etiololgy.  

I have done lots of research too and can't seem to find any specific places for migraine lesions.  All of the lesions I have seem to be the perfect spot for MS.  I just hope I can get some kind of answer.

[Joiedecour]

oh yes, and 20+ lesions is a lot.

[Joiedecour]

I would just say that 2/3 reports state that the findings are suspicious for demyelinating disease. The areas mentioned are associated with MS from what I've read (I ain't no expert, but I google a lot). What prompted your mris in the first place? My experience is that neuros themselves don't really believe the migraine theory, unless there is a compelling history of migraines - is that the case with you?