Two MRI's in less than 4 months??

[Saadbell]

I was diagnosed with MS almost 12 years ago, left side numb, very typical MS symptoms.  Started on Betaseron when it was still on the lottery, did it for almost two years and just stopped it since I felt fine, not sure that was a smart move.  Than about 5 years ago I started to have seizures, didn’t know it was seizures, I started with the staring spells which at first was just odd, and I wondered about it but really didn’t give it a thought.  I would have up to 5 or 6 in a day than go into a weird funk for a day and than go right back to having seizures.  Than just this year the seizures have progressed into loss of consciousness with what is called partial focal seizure.  I was walking with my mother and I had one and she saw it and was extremely upset.  I than realized I had a serious problem, now during all this I have been seeing my doctor and telling him all about this, he just blew it off and really didn’t hear me I guess.  They had open up this wonderful VA center down the road and since I am a veteran I went in to see what they would do.  I was given a wonderful women doctor and immediately sent for a MRI with contrast and to a Neurologist.  Apparently the MRI showed some lesions but the neurologist said it was large and he wanted to keep a close eye on it so he ordered another MRI with contrast, so I have had two MRI’s within 4 months, which I think is a little much.  I haven’t gotten the results of the second MRI yet, but I have started back on the betaseron, just not sure if I should be worried, I know for a fact my personality has changed slightly along with these seizures.  I know that this can happen with MS but has anyone here experienced this?  Just feel so awful, it is like this depression is really raw, nothing like I have ever experience before, I won’t hurt myself of course, just feel awful.  Thanks for listening, oh by the way I cry at the drop of the hat, doctors tell me that is normal also.  

[HVAC]

I get the impending doom. Sometimes it is unbearable.

Alex

[Saadbell]

I am on gabapentin 300 mg two capsules three times a day.  The funny thing is that I am on other meds that actually can cause seizures as an example Baclofen which I also take.  I know what you are talking about with the blank stare, I had no idea that these are seizures, only till it went further scares me still.  MS is not fun, lol

[daisy.girl]

Hi and I am sorry you are going through this all right now. I know there are several folks on here with seizures too.
I have complex partials:   I zone out with a blank stare and sometimes just roll my thumbs around each other. I have had these for years, but just thought I was daydreaming or ignoring the kidos. Recently, I had an episode where I was in the car, in the same town I have lived for 25 years, actually just a few blocks from my house, and when we got to that intersection, I had absolutely no idea where I was or which way we should turn. I was just dx with MS a little over a year ago, but know I have had symptoms for the last ten years or so.
I do know from talking to others with seizures that many feel that impending doom as a part of their seizure activity....Are you on any anti sezure meds?....maybe that would help too.

[Saadbell]

Thank you all for responding, Alex you hit the nail on the head with the comedy, I too love to see SNL clips and it does lift my mood.  This is a new kind of level of depression that I have never experience before, to sum it up it is like expecting impending doom every hour of the day, not a good thing.  I am on Venlafaxine 225mg, I have been on this forever and it does numb you a little, but this depression is really a different level, does that make any sense? It feels good to talk to someone who understands and has experience things like this.  

[HVAC]

I have had terrible depression from the MS. Not situational this total darkness. When people say what are you depressed about that question makes no sense. The depression comes first.

They were even thinking of doing shock treatments last year. I did not go through with it. I was thinking I have damage to the brain ECT does not make sense. Anti depressants do not work. I am on a mood stabilizer and another drug for sleep. Every once in awhile I stay up for 36 hours under a Doctors supervision (at home I call him) to reset my brain. It actually works for me. I have a Psychiatrist who thinks outside the box.

I also have changed my diet and exercise and do hypnosis. If you have seizures it makes sense you have problems with mood.

I try distract myself when I am in this place. Recognizing it is a big part. Then not fighting it. Fighting it takes energy. That does not mean to do anything stupid. Just accept it is as real as any other part of MS.

I also got a therapist who specializes in chronic diseases.

I am in the black place now. I am meeting with my Psychiatrist tonight. I used to try to go it alone. Luckily he is great and sees me when ever I get to this point.

I have been going through this for over forty years. I have learned to tell myself it is okay to be here and I will not be here forever. I try to focus on the tiniest good. My pets, my husband, music I like, comedy. I look up SNL clips on youtube. Look up herding cats on youtube it is good for a laugh.

It is okay to ask for help. There are lots of treatments for depression. The funny thing about depression is it does not want you to get better.

Hang in there my friend.

Alex

[COBOB]

Frontal lobe and temporal lobe lesions can definitely effect your personality and other "executive" functions.  Laughing and crying at inappropriate times (also called pseudobulbar affect (PBA)) is a known sign that can accompany MS.  It can effectively  be treated with medication.  Seizures are not uncommon in MS.  There isn't much risk associated with the exposure to the magnetic fields in an MRI, and (at least in my case) I grew a crop of 4 additional lesions in 6 months.  Six month serial MRIs are not uncommon in study protocols.

Bob