MRI question

[Kygirl12]

I started experiencing symptoms approximately 3 months ago.  I would wake up and my right arm would be completely numb and tingling so I thought I was sleeping on it weirdly.  This continued to happen until I could no longer grip a coffee mug due to weakness and the inability to make my hand close.  It became so painful that I decided to contact my pcp who did a x-ray of my neck (neg) and treated me for carpal tunnel.  Unfortunately, symptoms progressed to other arm, and legs.  I began having muscle spasms and a mild tremor on my right side.tMy other symptoms included extreme fatigue, memory loss, and have recently experience the same tingling sensation on my left side of face with pressure under my left eye (I did not lose vision).

My neurologist scheduled an MRI that says "normal" but I have a question for anyone who may understand this better than I....

It says, "There are minimal periventricular white matter changes"  Anyone have any thoughts?

This has been such a scary time for me and my family.  It is extremely frustrating and by reading so many stories I am NOT alone!  All help is appreciated!

[zerodegrees]

Did they just scan your brain? Or did they also do your spine?

I am sorry you are dealing with this and hope that you get answers soon.

[jensequitur]

Radiologists vary in how they describe the data on the MRI. I've seen so many different ways of describing lesions - hyperintensity, white matter changes, lesions, enhancement - that it can be very confusing. They really need to be more consistent.

I think it's worth following up with your neurologist, if you can afford it. What strength was the MRI done at? You can call the clinic and ask what machine they're using. A .7T MRI is what's known as an open MRI, and it shows very little information. A 1.5T MRI will show more information in the brain, but doesn't work if you're trying to diagnose spinal lesions. A 3T is the best available right now, but they're also the most expensive.

[kwarendorf]

Hi KyG - Welcome to the group.

Not having answers is scary. Some of the symptoms you describe could be MS related, but it could also be caused by many other neurological issues.

The language of your MRI report doesn't suggest MS as a possibility. Key MS words in radiology reports are hyperintensity or signal abnormality or lesion.

If your neurologist says the MRI is normal, what does he think is causing your symptoms?

Kyle