What does this mean?

[lmeiser45]

I just got my results back from my MRI.  I don't understand. I have heard of MS, but know nothing about it.  I'm waiting for the Hospital in Seattle to give me a call.  Can anyone tell me what this means?  I am told that MS is not a def. diagnosis, but now I have to wait for Drs to do more tests.    The MRI only had these few sentences below.  I'm only 35 with 2 young children.  I'm scared/nervous.  

Cerebrum:  There are areas of abnormal signal intensity identified in the periventricular white matter.  Some of these areas are linear and oriented perpendicular to long axis of the ventricles.  The appearance is most consistent with demyelinating disease/multiple sclerosis.  
        All other areas of the brain – no abnormalities.

[lmeiser45]

Thank you all for your support.  It means a lot even though I don't know any of you.  Some of my symptoms have been major headaches.  I have Keratoconus in my right eye really bad - a disease where corneal transplant will soon happen.  I have the same in my left eye, but it is not bad at all.  Anyway, I've been having some major headaches since the beginning of the summer.  I took it as a cold. I'm a kindergarten teacher so everyone gets the cold.  Huge headache, cough, stuffy nose.  Well, the colds went away, but my headaches didn't.  I had to take some allergy drops for my eye, this increased the intensity of the headaches.  I stopped taking it, but headaches didn't completely go away.  Part of me though it was stress from kinder (low group this year).  I also thought they would go away and I was thinking no big deal.  I finally went to my Dr after some convincing.  My cousin last year had headaches (30 years old) 2 months later he was there for the birth of his little girl, 5 days later he went with God.  Thinking about this, I went in.  He had benign (sp?) tumors, I have bad MRI.  I'm just worried about what next.  I haven't seen any relationships with bad eyesight - to my extent as others and MS, so I'm thinking it is not, but I also didn't think the MRI would come back negative.  My dr. thought for sure the results would come out fine just pointing to chronic headaches.  I also type on the computer a lot, so I assume any tingling would be from Carpal tunnel - do the exercises, and it would be over.  

Anyway those are my symptoms.  Does this make any sense?

Thank you again for your support.
Leah

[Lulu54]

Hi Lmeiser, and welcome to our forum here at MedHelp. You heard good advice from Ess - I would like to reemphasize what she said -

MS is not the worst disease, its not fun but it is most certainly not fatal.  Most MS patients continue to live life the way they always have, with the disease causing little problems.

While you wait for the next round of tests and doctor visits, please take some time to learn more about this disease.  The best way to conquer your fears and worries is to take control by learning all that you can.  

I hope we will see you around here again - we're pretty good company to hang out with.

be well,
Lulu

[Heather3418]

Welcome to the MS Forum.  Ess said it all.  Please follow her suggestions.  

We aren't glad that you are having these kinds of problems but are glad to see that you found us, so we can offer you some support, while you go through the diagnosis process.  We are here to help.

Heather

[Deb61]

My husband's from Seattle (Queen Anne) and we've visited there several times.  What a beautiful city!  We're living in Texas, now.  

Ess gave a really good response, and I don't have more to add.  I do want to welcome you to the forum, though.

Deb

[essdipity]

Welcome to our MS forum. We'll try to help you if we can.

Your brain MRI is abnormal in a way that is very consistent with MS. Please look at our Health Pages (see yellow icon at upper right), for lots of info and descriptions of what MRIs mean.

You do need other tests to rule out conditions that mimic MS, and of course you need a thorough neurological exam. I don't know what your symptoms are or why you started this diagnostic process, so I hope you will continue and get some firm diagnosis.

MS is no fun, but it's far from the worst thing in the world. We have a wonderful group of knowledgeable friends here who can help you and support you through this process, so please keep coming back.

Sending best wishes,
ess