any suggestions for upcoming DR appt

[rudyhorse]

The best advice and support I get is from this group, so thank you very much!  

On friday 9-18 I have an appointment with my FP.  She ordered and MRI/MRA after I had an episode of vision problems, confusion, memory loss, loss of balance and dysequilibrium.  The report said left cerebellan lesion (previously it was said this was an infarction) also areas of high T2 signal intensity, lastly frontal deep white matter--normal for may age.  My FP dr also mentioned slight imbalance with Romberg Test.
The white matter was not mentioned on the MRI 8 months ago.  

So after 3 ER visits my FP wanted me to go to ER for quick help, they said it was silent migraine.  Gave me a shot of DHE, which helped, and wanted me to f/u with Neuro.

My question is why did DHE help me?  And what questions should I ask of my FP Dr and the Neuro Dr?  Any suggestions are appreciated as I am lost in all this...........
Thank you so much
Tracy

[rudyhorse]

Thanks, I will be open.  She is a great Dr to have.  I just really hope she can help resolve the fact I can't remember anything before the past two days.  Now my balance is off and I am falling again.  I know with my family history of even stroke that is a possibility.  Or some womper of a migraine LOL.  The name doesn't really matter to me, it is working on solving the problems.  And I really want to know what the white matter is on the left frontal lobe.  My husband and I have looked at the mri and there is a big difference in my left side and right side of the brain, why?  So we will see and keep asking until it makes sense. :)
Thanks for all you do,

[Lulu54]

good luck tomorrow - listen closely to what the doctor says and asks, and please remain open to the possibilities that what you have going on might not be MS.  If the migraine meds worked and gave you relief that may be a clue.

But it is also possible that you have more than one disease process lurking .

Good luck with the doctor and be sure to let us know how it goes, ok?

my best, Lulu

[rudyhorse]

Thank you so much!  You are right I should update I just haven't as I got so discouraged and figured why bother....but I will get back at it.

I am 45yrs old I doubt either that I should have white matter also.....We have a sheet of question and my husband will go with me.  Plus I don't think there was this white matter on the left frontal lobe 8 months ago.

Thank you so much!

[rendean]

Wobbly gave you good advice, especially regarding the MRI. Ask them what causes the frontal deep white matter " normal for age" I have had two neuros tell me that you shouldn't have any white matter spots.

DHE is an ergot preparation. Ergots are a class of drugs used in migriane treatment.

"D.H.E. 45® (dihydroergotamine mesylate) Injection, USP is indicated for the acute treatment of migraine headaches with or without aura and the acute treatment of cluster headache episodes"  RX List.com

Update your timeline as Wobbly suggested.

As for questions: Ask how they can tell the difference between  what disease causes what kind of lesion since you have more than one thing going on. They'll want to say all your lesions are from migrianes or age...that's not true most of the time. I don't recall your age but I doubt you're old enough for white matter changes due to "old age".

The cerebellum lesion/infarct is what is probably causing your balance issues.

If you can, take somebody with you to help write down information and possibly help ask questions.


Good luck with your appt.


Ren

[Wobbly]

me again... I just read abit of your profile and see that you have been through alot of tests.. I hope you finally get some answers too all this..

take care and hang in there
wobbly
dx

[Wobbly]

Hi there, what is DHE?  can't answer that questions as to why it helped?  

have you had all the blood tests to rule of MS mimics?  Sorry, can't remember your symptoms etc.  

when you see the Dr... bring in your latest timeline that you have.. make sure it's up to date on how you have been feeling.. good and bad days etc.  

ask questions... mostly if they just say" It's a normal MRI"  ask them what it mean... let them know you have the results and want to know why it states this and that..

ask them what could be wrong if they say they don't know what it is?  Ask them what your next step would be..."wait and see" or more testing..

have you had a Cspine MRI? LP?

let us know what comes from your appt..

take care
wobbly
dx