MRI results - total surprise!

[OllieO]

Hi Everyone,

I haven't posted in a while, but have been reading your posts on a daily basis.  I had an MRI of my head and one of my spine.  My brain appears to be clear and my spine seems fine too except for a little bit of disc bulging.  I expected my spine to be clear after the brain MRI came back clear.  I was already planning my next step.  I had planned to take a break from any more medical testing.  I have to pay for the two MRI's (my portion of the bill for the first one is $1,000!!).  But I got a little surprise.  While my spine looks fine the radiologist found "probable cysts" on my kidneys and liver.  I know I should not have immediately googled kidney and liver cysts, but I did.  I found out that kidney disease can cause the same symptoms I am having.  It can cause numbness and tingling due to toxins that are not being eliminated by the kidneys.  It can also cause generalized itching which I have been experiencing.  I have also had pain in my lower left side which I assumed was muscular, but this can also be a symptom of kidney disease.  Tomorrow I go see my GP and will see if he wants to do anymore testing.  Hopefully I do not have kidney disease, but it is much easier to diagnose than MS so at least I will know one way or the other pretty quickly!

I am keeping you all in my thoughts.  

OllieO

[OllieO]

I went for my appointment and my GP said kidney and liver cysts are common and I should not worry about it!  He did suggest an ultrasound and a couple of blood tests (one for kidneys and one for the liver).  He actually did the one for the kidney when I had my physical last October and it was normal.  I went ahead and gave up two more vials of blood!  My son commented,  "Mom, you need to stop giving these people all your blood!"

I pointed out to the GP that I had heard that all my symptoms could relate to kidney disease.  I did not want to bring this up as I had hoped he would have connected those dots.  He still does not think I have anything along these lines, but the ultrasound and blood tests should answer the questions.

My neuro still wants to run more tests.  She is definitely not dropping me.  But I think  I want to take a break.  My GP says that some people have subtle numbness and tingling that is never explained, but does not get worse.  So I think I will keep a symptom diary and go back if things worsen.  I feel better about MS since both MRI's are clear.  Of course, they were taken on a 1.5 Tesla machine.  I would be happier if the tests had been taken on a 3!

Hope you are doing well!  Have a wonderful weekend!

OllieO

[sllowe]

Hey!

Nice to see you.  Wow, I hope you don't have it either, but that is something about the symptoms.  This Dr. needs to be all over this.  Really, really ordering all the right tests to dig deep into the possibility of kidney disease.  Please - please tell us how this appt. goes.

Did the Dr send you on your way after the clear MRIs? Its it nice to know that this radiologist looked at more than your brain and spine.  Something they all should be doing - just incase.

talk to you soon OO:),
Shelly

[OllieO]

Thanks Elaine.  I go to the doctor today and will ask him to do some blood work!

[monotreme]

Have you had a recent BUN blood test?  And a creatinine blood test?  Those are sensitive to kidney problems.

Craig has a cyst on the upper pole of his left kidney, but it does not effect the kidney function at all.  The radiologist said they are quite common.

I would check the blood first.

Good Luck.
Elaine