cerebral peduncle infarct

[wilkat]

About 10 years ago, I started having very strange symptoms that started one morning when I woke up and felt like my head was pulling to the right and I had severe fatigue and would bump into objects;  a few weeks later I started getting aches in both of my thighs and this has progressed to pain and
sometimes numbness in both of my arms and legs.  I also had a strange sensation in the back of my head and had blurry, sometimes double vision.   Then my head felt like it was bobbing. I went to a neurologist who thought from the initial exam that I had multiple sclerosis. I had an MRI, and he concluded that I did not have MS, but later I found out that there was an increased signal in the left cerebral peduncle.  Most of these symptoms eventually went away, but over the last
two years they have returned.  It began with a spell of vertigo that lasted about a week (the kind where the room felt like it was spinning.)  I had another MRI about that time and it showed a tiny old  infarct in the left cerebral peduncle.  I was never told  this and only found out when I got the records for something else.  During the last few weeks, I have had brief episodes of this same vertigo again and the sensation as if my head is bobbing.  I also have chronic sinusitis and GERD.  I  developed bouts of both bowel and urinary incontinence that has since gotten better. I am taking 25 mg. of Elavil, but this doesn't help much.  
Could you tell me which, if any, of these symptoms could be related to the small stroke?
How likely is it that this can happen again?
Should I have further evaluation?

[mctutu]

Hi there, I must admit I didn't think I would find anything on the net about left cerebral peduncle but here it is! I thought I was going insane! Worse, had dementia or something terrible. I have had symptoms like yourself for years and years. I am now 55 years old, have had episodes which come and go like yourself. This episode has lasted for 18months thus far. I also have a large PFO with a resting shunt and a large valsalva shunt, this is being closed on March 21st. YIPPPEEE!! one less thing to think of.
Anyhoo, my last problem landed me in hospital, I had the same problems, I had a severe complex migraine, lost my  hearing in one side briefly, became very light headed, extremely emotional, not sure what that was all about, had right sided weakness, double vision/blurry vision and very forgetful. Had an MRI and it showed a high signal on the left cerebral peduncle.
The consultant was not helpful at all, in fact he was rude and unkind because I work for the private sector healthcare and could 'jump the queue anytime'. I felt so demoralised when all I wanted was something to help with the horrible migraine and an explanation of what was happening to me.
I think like yourself, we get fed up of the symptoms and just want relief to get on with life. I used to run three times a week I don't anymore, don't feel safe nor can my breathing hack it anymore. I would also like to know how long is this going to go on for? I realise each person is different but my goodness, its getting to a point where enough is enough.
I also have an essential tremor, seems to be a higher frequency type.
I really hope you get the answers you are looking for. I think sometimes, some medical professionals need to remember, we live with these symptoms and while they may not seem large or life threatening, they are to us, both. The symptoms destroy our self esteem and affect our daily lives no matter how small or big.
Wishing you good health Wilkat, I hope you find closure and some sort of treatment which will help in any way at all.

Kind regards
mctutums

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