Got my test results and so called "diagnosis"

[HollyHuney]

Went to the Neuro today. He told me MRI was clean (I posted some photos that I question that "clean" comment, let me know what you think please) Told me I had slight carpal tunnel in left and right hand, told me all other tests came back normal (SSEP and VEP) Gave me anxiety meds and told me he feels ALL my symptoms are psychosomatic from anxiety. Yep, that's my Dx.

MRI reports reads:
MRI of brain without enhancement shows a small T2-weighted hyperintensity within the white matter along the right anterior frontal lobe. The finding is nonspecific and may represent migrane. Demyelinating disorder appears to be unlikely.

Now what?

Please look at the pics on my page and let me know if I am just over reacting to what I see, but to me, they look lesion like.

Thanks.
Holly

[fdmh]

That stinks. Anxiety , anxiety.  I also have had issues with anxiety long before my brief sx that have not even been diagnosed yet.  The sx were in no way related to any of my anxiety.  However, now my anxiety is worse becuase of the potential of an MS dx down the road.  My neurologist that just left, who states she can't explain the sx and wants me to follow up with an MS specialist, hooked me up with a counselor that specializes in anxiety, especially social phobia (large crowds with my kids, overwhelmed, feel loss of control) and and also medical fears.   I just saw him for the first time and I am very encouraged and looking forward to seeing him again in a month or so.  IN the mean time, hurry up and wait and try to be calm and worry about things other than MS.  I definitely think you should get a second opinion though.  Don't be afraid to ask.  You are the patient!  

[Heather3418]

I have to agree with the others.  As hard as it is, it's time to find a doctor that is going to listen to your REAL complaints and evaluate what they see on MRI.  In fact, an MRI of the brain doing what is called MS Protocol, should be done, if it hasn't been done.  This scan is done doing specialized slices of the brain and looks more at T2 slices.  Of course this should all be done, with and without contrast dye.

You are not alone here, Holly.  So many of us have been through this, I don't have enough fingers and toes to count all the members, that have been through same thing.  You know something is wrong with your body and throwing pills at you and blaming it on anxiety does NOT explain the lesion(s) seen in your brain.

We are here for you Holly, through thick and thin.  We will help you out, in any way that you need help.  Even if it's to hold your hand.  This is a tight knit group and we are here for each other, through the good times as well as the bad.  That's a promise.

We are so glad that you posted and decided to join us.  We are glad you're here.

Sending you big virtual hugs to help let you know that you are not alone.

All the best,
Heather

[HollyHuney]

Thanks for the comment Nichole. I guess I just "assumed" that my Neuro would do what he has to do to find out what's wrong. I feel so stressed by this (see, it is anxiety LOL) but my symptoms just remain! Now after 3 months or so my symptoms are starting tom "die down" The numbness is receeding and my vision is slowly coming back. I still have the occasional dizzy spells, though. It can be scary while driving and suddenly be so dizzy I'm swerving trying to make sure I stay between the lines on the road!  

My mother suggested starting a journal and everyday, whenever something happens, or NOTHING happens, I should document it. Also, she suggested writing ALL my questions in a notepad and bring it with me to Boston. She had a situation when I was young and did this. On her 13th doctor, yes THIRTEENTH!, he finally was able to tell her that it wasn't in her head, it wasn't in her neck, it wasn't in her big toe. The problem was in her shoulder exactly where she had been complaining of the ENTIRE time. She was scheduled for surgery 3 days later for a bancart repair to her right shoulder.

So, I am going to start the journal, start writing my questions and if I get another quack in Boston, I'll just keep looking for someone new! That's all I can do, I guess.

[Nichole28]

Frustrating when they tell you it is all in your head, when I got sick last year and they couldn't figure it out they told me the same thing. When I saw a good dr at UCLA he told me I have a migraine condition and that I was in fact NOT crazy LOL. Now I am not sure I totally buy into the whole migraine thing but I will take that instead of being told it was from stress or anxiety. I feel like some times if I were a man I would be taken more seriously with my issues but because I am a women I must be a emotional train wreck doing this to herself. I am sorry your neuro is such a moron and I hope you find someone who will help you and give you REAL answers.

[HollyHuney]

Thanks for responding biowham,

No the Neuro did not do bloodwork, nor an LP, nor an MRI of the spine, and concluded that I have psychosematic symptoms do to anxiety.

As for pregnancies, no, I never had any pre-eclampsia, transient ischemic attacks, or hypertension. However, way back in 2000, I had full right-sided numbness and issues moving the right side of my face, but the Neuro back then told me he didn't know what was wrong and said we would have to wait and see what would happen. (Yeah I found 2 real winners around here huh?!)

May I ask, what do you mean DWI images? I don't know what that means. Are you saying you think those larger spots could be signs of stroke??

I put the T2 image up because I thought that there was a spot on there that I question. Front left lobe.

Thanks again.

[biowham]

I just want to reiterate that I seriously think you should get a second-opinion neuroradiology reading of your MRI. I've just looked at your symptoms, too. Please check around for this--or at least find a neuro who reads his/her own imaging.

Do you have any history in your pregnancies of pre-eclampsia, transient ischemic attacks, or hypertension? Any history of that outside of your pregnancies? I'm just curious given what the MRI report said, etc.

Bio

[biowham]

I'm sorry...does this really say your neuro didn't do any BLOOD WORK? Next, please! Good Lord.

Regarding your MRIs, it looks like most of the image you posted are DWI images, which I think give information about strokes/infarcts. I'd also suggest that you seek a second opinion neuoradiologist reading of your MRIs. What you've posted, however, are not the T2 images (except for one, which appears to be of the spot described in the MRI report) that are used to discern demyelinating or other lesions.

If your anxiety were severe enough to cause symptoms, you should have been referred for evaluation for that and for behavioral therapy, not just for meds. That's a LAZY neuro you have there who just wanted to throw some pills at you and get you out of there.

Bio

[HollyHuney]

I made an appointment to see an MS Specialist at Brigham & Women's in Boston. Has anyone else gone there? Thoughts / Impressions?

Should I ask my Neuro to do anything before I go (Appt on May 21)

Neuro did NOT run MRI - Spine, LP or Bloodwork. He DID run NCV, SSEP Upper and Lower, VER, MRI - Brain.

I don't understand how he could give me a diagnosis without running all the tests, but what do I know?! It's just my body, right?!?! LOL

I would really appreciate any thoughts on my MRI films I posted. The first one, I am pretty sure there is a lesion. The others are from 2 different MRI scans (During the same session) Both have an area that seems lesion-like to me, however it looks kinda big! Any ideas what it is?

Thanks,
Holly

[HollyHuney]

Thanks for the comments. I think I should call Boston and see about getting seen. (I live in Massachusetts).

If anyone has a good MS specialist in mind, please foward me the name.

Thanks.

[saveone]

hey, I have anxiety...long before my symptoms.  My anxiety has been treated and is controlled and I still have the symptoms.

[steph74]

Now what?  Find a new doctor.  Get an MS specialist or a good neuro who will take you seriously.  Also, if you want to rebut the anxiety dx, it couldn't hurt to go see a counselor, phsychologist, or someone who can tell you yes or no, better than a neuro can.

The thing is, it makes sense to have some anxiety when you're having these sx, but that doesn't necessarily mean the anxiety is causing the sx (though it can certainly aggrivate them!)  If the counselor believes it is anxiety, go ahead and treat that and see what happens to your sx--if they're still there, go back to a neuro.  If on the other hand the counselor doesn't think anxiety is causing your sx, take that piece of evidence with you when you see a new neuro.

I'm not a radiologist, but I can definitely see the one white spot.

Stephanie