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Abnormal brain mri, headaches, some memory loss

I have been having severe headaches, more pronounced memory loss, and some balance issues along with some numbness and tingling of my face, hands and feet. I underwent an MRI last Friday which shows "moderately prominent, diffuse punctate signal abnormalities within the cerebral hemispheric white matter tracts.  This is etiologically nonspecific.  These do not have a classic distribution for dymyelinating process*However, this could not be excluded.  Microvascular ischemic injuries (migraine headaches/vasculitis) would be an additional differential consideration. Currently, none of these demonstrate signal characteristics to suggest acute injuries".  I have seen a Neurologist who doesn't practice neurology now, but rather does sleep studies, saw me as a favor.  He says possible arteriosclerosis.  I have had a lapse of several seconds where I totally forget what I am doing, happens a lot and has become much more pronounced.  He has ordered an EEG and a sleep study.  Do you concur or would I be wise to seek another opinion.
Are these mini strokes?  He called them lunar infarctions.  There are several measuring 2-5mm.  My mother had Parkinson's and dementia.  My father had arteriosclerosis, congestive heart failure, and some dementia.  They both died at 72 years of age.  I am a 56 year old female, diagnosed with Fibromyalgia about five years ago.
Thank you.
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1093617 tn?1279302002
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi, Thank you for your question. It sounds like white matter disease. In white matter disease or microvesicular ischemic disease of brain, pathology is associated with the brain white matter, either exclusively or in combination with grey matter changes. It occurs due to metabolism errors, exogenous toxins released by virus, autoimmune disease, leukodystrophy, demyelination, and radiation effects. Spasticity, muscle weakness, paralysis, hyper-reflexia and movement disorder may be the clinical features associated with white matter disease that need to be evaluated thoroughly. However, it is sad to say that there is no permanent cure but conservative treatment & physiotherapy exercises that would help you to regain your normal function and stopping the further progression of the disease. Please consult a neurologist in this regards. Hope this helps.

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Avatar universal
I have been experiencing the exact same medical problems as you and I also have fibromyalgia along with DJD, DDD, migraines (severe), cold hands and feet with the numbness and tingling sensation. Lately I'm also having more tremors with contractions in my right hand.  It's gotten to the point where the doctors don't know what's wrong right now.  Do you have any advice?
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Avatar universal
I just recently went through all kinds of testing including an MRI of brain due to the same symptoms you are having..numbness, tingling, forgetfullness, electric shock feelings throughout my body, imbalance, tired, flu like feeling all the time.  Turns out I have a Vitamin B12 deficiency which I am now finding out is more common than not. Then why are we put through all of these expensive tests? Seems to me they should test blood for this deficiency. I have since been on vitamin b12 supplements for a month and all of my symptoms have gone away! My dr's were thingking all of this was in my head!
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Avatar universal
I have been having severe headaches, more pronounced memory loss, lots of forgetness and some balance issues along with some numbness and tingling in the legs and feet , a eletor shock feeling in my legs and feet, thighs that comes and go's.
I have also been having a left eye jerking of the eye led.  I had a MRI of my head 2 weeks and was told by my nurse it was normal. I have had been told they are unsure whats wrong with me. I am looking for some answers that maybe someone can think i would be tested for that the nurse is missing. Please help me if u can i am sick of always being sick and not knowing what going on with me . I as well stay sick to my stromach.  Thanks for reading my storie.
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Avatar universal
Thanks for your input!.  A lot has happened since I posted my question.  My family doctor and my EMG & R doctor (the one who ordered the brain mri) are arranging for me to see a Neurologist who specializes in Multiple Sclerosis and Stroke to hopefully pinpoint a diagnosis.
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147426 tn?1317265632
Could you describe in more detail the numbness, tingling, balance symptoms in terms of how long they last, where they are and when they appear.  Are they definitely related to the headaches?  What is your headache pattern?

Is there a family or personal  history of migraine?

Are there signs of vessel disease elsewhere?  Peripheral artery Disease with poor circulation, discoloration, coldness, numbness?  Coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, kidney disease?

Have you had a thorough, dilated eye exam?  With serious symptoms, an abnormal MRI and family history like yours a second opinion is always a good idea.  I would chose a neurologist at an academic (university) medical center rather than another neuro down the hall.

Looking for your response, Quix
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