does this sound like MS

[lanelane]

Recently had an mri of brain an am hoping someone can tell me in English what the results mean. I have all the symptoms of MS and have seen a neurologist but he wasn't too helpful and hope to see another one.

the results are
Multiple bilateral cerebral white matter changes are seen, predominant periventricular, but also with some involvement of the corpus callosm.
moderate right maxillary sinus mucoceles noted
Impression:
Bilateral white matter changes, including some involvement of the corpus callosum. These findings are suspicious for demyelinating disease.

my blood work came back fine he wrote for someone with my condition, yet didn't say what my condition was?

thanks much if anyone can help me understand this

[Lulu54]

Hi lanelane and welcome to the MS forum here.  Things get rather slow on the weekends - people tend to go off and do other things besides being on the computer.  Please hang in here with us -

The MRI report sounds suspicious for MS.  The areas the radiologist has noted tend to be  some of the areas that MS lesions tend to occur.  

Was this neurologist someone who specializes in MS?  It can make all the difference if you are seen by an MS specialist and not just a general neuro.

Your blood work being normal also adds to the picture. MS is a diagnosis of exclusion - meaning that all sorts of other disease processes have to be eliminated from the picture before they call something MS.

You have a couple choice - call this doctors office and ask what the heck he means or you can go looking for a new doctor.  Either way, good luck with getting answers.

be well, Lulu

[sllowe]

Hi there,

Adding on a welcome to you. Thanks for joining.

Sounds as if it's fairly early in your workup. The neuro may not say much until he/she gathers more information from your body.

If MS is in question (which sounds like your doc is not sure yet) then this is just the beginning of the docs investigation. Once much is exhausted, and if MS is the conclusion your doctor may suggest you get a 2nd opinion.

Couple things I want to mention - the MRI references suspicious for demyelinating disease. MS is not the only disease that causes this.

Tell us a little more about how you are feeling  - what brought you to the neuro initially, so we can give you our best thoughts. We're here to help.

-Shell

[lanelane]

thanks much, for about a year of more having been having pretty much all the signs that are ms symptoms, depression..I have had most of my life (51) a couple years back lost 50 lbs in a year without trying...my mother also died...so not sure if that was the reason, tired all the time, I just ask the man I live with how much he thinks I sleep a day he said 20 hours which is what I was thinking, though I'm not always sleeping. I am in bed at least that amount each day. Have some numbness on left side in my leg, arm and fingers. After doing little things, I feel the need to lay down, also have some bulging disc that may be touching spinal cord.
After trying to play the piano for 1/2hours back hurts and back in bed. Have lost pretty much all desire of things I used to enjoy and for the most part very reclusive. I do have another appt with a second neuro on the 20th of next month. Right now going through two arm surgery, one a month ago and the other arm tomorrow.
Also have some muscle stiffness, and lose my balance a few times a day, not to the point of falling down, but enough to have to be mindful of it so I don't fall down.
My vision has changed some, more blurry with and without glasses.
Don't have much of an appetite. When laying in bed my legs and arms do these jerking movements.
My gut feels like it is MS, just for I've felt like this for a while now and again the symptoms are all pretty much what I have.
Whatever it is or isn't I'm okay with, and will deal with the best I can, 2 other doctors after looking just at the mri results...first thing they said was MS, but yes I'm hoping this new doctor will order more test and hopefully come up with an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.
thanks so much

[lanelane]

thank you too Lulu, I think I responded to your post on your personal page, sorry, still learning how this site works.
I go through the VA and not sure if either of their Neurologist specialize in MS, the first doctor I saw was pretty rude and first words out of his mouth were
"I hate it when they send MS patients here" and went on to complain that he didn't know with all my symptoms...never have I had such a mean spirited doctor, so hoping the next one will be more professional at least.
again thanks all, i think the scary part for me is the not knowing.
blessings to all
lanelane

[Lulu54]

Lanelane, we have a couple folks here - sailorsong and ufrustrated2, who deal with the VA for their care .... they both have equally horrible tales to tell.

There are VA centers for MS excellence across the country - you may want to research those and see if you can get your next appt. there.

Not knowing the enemy is the worst part - I hope you get answers, and soon.

be well, L

[lanelane]

Thanks Lulu,
Actually I love the VA I go to. My primary care doctor is the best, my surgeons have been great and overall I would give our VA a very high rating. This said I have ran across 3 doctors that didn't just seem real happy with you work/life. So we'll see how this new doc is on the 20th and go from there.
But again, love my VA, they have truly been a lifesaver, I'm sorry for others who have not such a good experience. I've def learned you have to be advocate for yourself and speak up.
thanks again to all
and to all a good night:)