Blood Brain

In 1995, I suffered a fall, MRI shows a central disc herniation at L4-5 causing mild ventral indentation of the thecal sac. Aggravation of nerve roots with radiating pain with numbness in left hip and leg extending calf to big toe area. Diagnosed with sciatica, acute left sacroiliac strain.

Dizziness,nauseated,ringing in ears,loss of balance,neck pain, skull headaches,profound fatigue are the symptoms that preceeded and continue at present. Tinnitus and Vertigo was diagnosed by family physician. ENT diagnosed hearing loss,with early Meniere's syndrome. Appointment at Advanced Hearing and Balance Testing: Brainstem Evoked Potentials,ENG, Sacculo-colic reflex. I was told everything was fine.

In 2002, Neurologist diagnosed MS and prescribed Avonex.
MRI Scan of the Brain: On the FLAIR images there are areas of signal alteration slightly hyperintense situated within the grey white matter junction of the left frontal lobe just anterolateral to the left frontal horn, in the right sylvian fissure, left centrum semiovale.

MS Clinic dismissed MS diagnosis:5 small white matter lesions located in the sub-cortical white matter. Lesions are non-specific which measures for the most part millimeters with the largest lesion in the left subcortical white matter measuring approx. 4mm. A MRI of cervical spine shows minimal bulging of the cervical disc at C6-7.

Recurring back,neck pain and inflamation (inflammation) with severe attacks of vertigo and spiking Tinnitus,followed by an episode of chronic hives . Could this be a blood-brain barrier that brings on these symptoms? Any ideas,Thank you

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-PW]

The symptom complex you describe is likely not due to a disorder of the blood brain barrier. The blood brain barrier stops unwanted substances in the blood from entering the brain. However, what can enter the brain is unwanted neurological signals from sensory receptors in the head and neck. These travel in the sensory nerves to the brain and brainstem where the parts of the brain that can cause vertigo, dizziness, even pain modulation are.
The goal is to reduce this sensory feedback/overload by specialist neck physical therapy, biofeedback, medications that modulate central pain like amitryptaline, botox - there are a variety of options that your headache neurologist or pain specialist can treat you with

White matter spots on the brain are common as we get older and are not necessarily diagnostic of MS unless they have certain characteristics (contrast enhancement, location, size) and there is supporting evidence of MS by spinal fluid, history, evoked potentials etc.

Good luck