SEIZURES vs CHEMICAL IMBALANCE + POSITIVE MRI RESULT ="IAIYH DX"

    
      Re: SEIZURES vs CHEMICAL IMBALANCE + POSITIVE MRI RESULT ='IAIYH DX'
    


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Posted by CCF Neuro MD on July 24, 1997 at 02:09:43:

In Reply to: SEIZURES vs CHEMICAL IMBALANCE + POSITIVE MRI RESULT ="IAIYH DX" posted by KELLY FROMM on July 15, 1997 at 07:10:20:

: I gues this is a continuation of my earlier posting's "PSYCHO OR NEURO DISORDER (+MRI & + EMG) or PART 2, but I Need some answer's or at least to be point in the right direction to have a non-military neurologist review my case, just for the siezure aspect alone!
  Went through an extensive neurological work-up during the past 12 months following a Motorcylce accident in which it was suspected I had sustained a Truamatic Brain Injury!  Shortly after the motorcylce accident, I developed a sleep disturbance and was placed on ELAVIL to remendy the sleep problem.  A month into the ELAVIL, I started to experience a new form of seizure activity, I was having what the MILITARY NEUROLOGIST was calling an "AURUA" and DE'JA VU experiences!  I thought I was mental, but the neurologist said that because I had a prio history of myclonic jerks/myclonous that the ELAVIL must have been my BREAK THROUGH drug and lowered my THRESHOLD for what he was now calling "COMPLEX PARTIAL SEIZURES" and was taking off the ELAVIL.   The military neurologist waited about a month after stopping the ELAVIL before he conducted an EEG; first one was normal, then two months separated the first EEG then a SLEEP DEPRIVED EEG was ordered!  Again EEG negative.  BUT was told both EEG's showed focal abnormalities.  
  Then MRI was ordered and results below:
  MRI: BRAIN WITHOUT CONTRAST:
  TECHNIQUE: T1 weighted sagittal images of the head were followed by proton density and T2 weighted axial and coronal images of the head.
  FINDINGS: The ventricular system and subarachnoid spaces are normal.  There is no evidence of intraaxial or extraaxial hemmorrhage, fluid collection or mass effect. There are five subcortical white matter punctate foci of high signal in the left frontal lobe and two punctate foci of abnormally increased signal in the subcortical white matter of the right frontal lobe.  These foci are of uncertain significance and may reflect resdiual of previous trauma, resulting from a demyelinating process, or possibly relfect averaging with adjacenmt cortical gray matter.  Foci of abnormal signal are only definitely identified on the coronal images.
  There is a minimal mucosal thickening in the base of the left maxillary sinus.  The remaining paranasal sinues are well aerated.  There is normal flow viod within carotid and vertebral arteries.
  IMPRESSION:  Several punctate foci of abnormally increased signal in the subcortical white matter of the frontal lobes bilaterally.  The foci are of uncertain significance and may be related to previos trauma or possibly a demyelinating process.  Clinical Correlation is adivised.
  
  With that, the military neurologst said was normal.  Said with negative EEG's that I can't have seizures, that I must be having a CHEMICAL IMBALANCE in my head (IAIYH) and wrote a DX of "PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS AFFECTING PHYSICAL CONDITION"  despite a 7 month psychological screening that revealed no mental health issues ans a Neuropsychological evaluation that wrote FRONTAL LOBE DYSFUCNTION, DEFICITS MOST CONSISTENT WITH A PROGRESSIVE NEUROLOGICAL DISORDER INSTEAD OF A TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY!  And as of yesterday, the same NEUROPSYCHOLOGIST mention he still believes he's correct and that the accident only MANIFESTED my pre-existing condition that he traced through extensive review of my 8 year medical history!
  I'm scarred, not being treated for the seizures causes serious SAFETY CONCERNS, ie driving, holding my newborn son etc.  Which I feel is treatable, unlike my other neurological symtpoms.  EMG clearly documents the BENIGN FASCICUALTIONS that are ALL OVER MY BODY, legs, arms, back, buttocks, testicles, face, etc and shows a LATENCY on the right side of my body, but no nerve damage and I'm RIGHT HAND dominant!  The latency was back-up during Neuropsychological Testing and showed a significant strength decrease on my right side vs my left.  Yet this is ALL IN MY HEAD.
  I don't have alot of money, MILITARY TRICARE MEDICAL INSURANCE won't pick-up tab to be seen by private neurologist/neurmusclar specialist and I'm afraid my condtion is being overlooked!  Must I remind the readers of severla "IAIYH" diagnosis (FIBROMYLAGIA (fibromyalgia), CFIS, ETC)I'm not a hypocrondriac either, My symtpoms are very much real and debilitating to me.
  So if the MRI in view of a military neurologist is normal, what do civilians think!!

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Dear Kelly Fromm:
I  read through parts 1 and 2 of your questions, and sympathise with your concerns. I can state the following:
1) I am inclined to believe that you have a