lesions

[robertsmom]

just thought of something that would like some opinions on. Last year when my mri showed 11 lesions,the neuro said that they could be accounted for since i was 44 and smoked. Anyone ever heard of this. Could it be true?

[LisaJF]

Great explanations by everyone who posted.

My experience through reading literature that it is not how many lesions you have, its location, location, location.  So if someone says I have 20 + lesions on my brain, there can be many diseases that cause this.  It can take one tiny lesion in the pons or corpus collosum or cervical/thoracic spine that could aid in a diagnosis of MS.  

If your lesions are in prime real estate of the brain where MS tends to hang out, then this needs further investigation or to repeat MRI's of brain and spine at 6 month to 12 month intervals.  Ischemic lesions in the periventricular region is not common so I've read, but MS lesions that are well circumscribed and elongated perpendicular to the corpus collosum on a Sagittal Flair cut is a no brainer.  But even then, you hear that people without MS can have those lesions from different pathologies.

In the end, this is YOUR body, this is YOUR LIFE and most importantly, this is YOUR HEALTH we are talking about here.  That is the utmost importance, not the quack Neurologist who fails to explain why the lesions are there to begin with.  I'm sorry I get very passionate about noncaring doctors and their lack of wanting to take the time to educate and explain things to their patients.

I smoke too, but quit for 3.5 years after my lung surgery.  The time I had my MRI from 2007 to 2010 was when I was NOT smoking.  There was documented electronic proof that there was a progression of punctate foci (T2) in the periventricular area.  My Neuro (who I am bagging) stated that was from smoking regardless that I told him that I had quit for the time in between MRIs.

Time to get a new one I think, but that's just me.  You pay for a service to be rendered and rendered professionally, compassionately and responsibly.

Lisa

[Sumanadevii]

I vote for a second opinion.  There are just too many neuro's that don't take time to find out the cause.  After that if things keep progressing I would go for a third.  I sure wish I had.  If you do have MS damage is being done.  A
DMD can help slow the progression.

My two cents and opinion.

[robertsmom]

thanks everyone. If all of my lesions are frm moking, i may be one big lesion on the one they did today!:)  Seriously though, I jus want them to give me a real explanation for feeling the way I do, whether it has to do with the lesions, ms, or something. I am just too tired.

[jensequitur]

I believe that ischemic damage can cause tiny lesions in the brain - usually referred to as punctate lesions.  But they're in a specific area of the brain, and MS lesions are in another.  

[kwarendorf]

I agree with those who have questioned your neuro. Perhaps your lesions could be explained by the fact that your 44 and smoke. They might also be the result of MS. I'm 52 and smoke and my lesions were caused by MS. As Jane mentioned a skilled radiologist and or neurologist should be able to determine if your lesions are the result of a demyelinating process.

Kyle

[Buffy1970]

History and symptoms are also very important, not just a lesion pn mri.  Keep track of what is going on.  There had to be a reason mri was done in first place.  Keep journal if you think it's more even if neuro says you don't need to.  

[heartfelt77]

I have a question as far as the old age lesions.   Is there actually lesions on the brain that show up because your getting older.   I have to question this?

It's kinda like to me taking a 30 yr old and saying u have arterisis and its from old age.....    This case to me is a sign of being dismissed.  How common is this?  

Just a thought......   I think there is just too many doctors using these excuses and patients r buying into this crap.   When instead looking into facts and laying it out.  

To me its crazy and scary world....   Just my opinion.

Misty

[Lulu54]

Janek gave you a great answer, especially the part of this neuro not doing a thorough job of examining all possibilities.  (in other words, the neuro sounds lazy and took the easy explanation).

Stick with this if you feel that something is wrong and not explained correctly.

[JaneK1975]

It sounds like what your neuro did a poor job of explaining is that lesions can come with age, and lesions can be caused by smoking. Identifying with 100% accuracy the cause of any particular lesion is almost impossible, although some lesions have an appearance (i.e., size, shape, location) that make them appear more or less likely to be caused by a particular disease. Your neuro was unable to identify any particular disease that would be causing the lesions he/she saw on your MRI based on their appearance.

In other words, because your neuro was unable to determine the cause of your lesions, he/she is assuming that they were caused by the most common explanation, which is age and smoking. This is, of course, little consolation to someone  who wants to know what is going on with their body.