All tests done???

[muvver]

After almost a year, I have had all relevant tests [according to Neurologist]. All I have been told is that I have had strokes. He has dismissed MS as a diagnosis, he says this is because the LP, Evoked Potentials and scan of carotid arteries were all normal. He appears to have not taken into account the physical and neurological symptoms that I am still experiencing. I have been discharged from his clinic! And feel that he has been very dismissive. I have not been told what kind of strokes I have had or why five of the lesions in my brain are ovoid and the [several] others are rounder. I have read many times on this site, that TIAs do not show up in brain so I don't understand why I have so many lesions in my brain. After the year I have had, to receive such a dismissive letter has left me feeling scared and rather paranoid.    

[muvver]

Thank you for your reply and the links to the diagnostic criteria. I have seen the McDonald Criteria on other sites but not in so much detail.
I think maybe I should join the stroke community, in order to understand more about my diagnosis.
Thank you again.

[Red_Star]

"First, you need to understand that MS always was, AND STILL IS, mainly  a clinical diagnosis.   The definition of “Clinical Diagnosis” is:

A diagnosis that can be made on the basis of the history and the physical exam alone."

To read more:

Diagnosing MS - The McDonald Criteria (The Myth of the 9 Lesions):
http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Multiple-Sclerosis/Diagnosing-MS---The-McDonald-Criteria-revised-2005/show/370?cid=36

***

White spots on an MRI brain scan can be from several different factors including:

*A natural phenomenon of the brain due to the coating of axon nerve fibers with myelin

*Hardening of small arteries in the brain from high blood pressure, causing a buildup of fluid

*Early onset of a stroke or another neurological condition eg: MS, Lyme Disease, Lupus

*Vitamin B12 deficiency - leads to demyelination

*Migrane

*Brain injury

*Infectious diseases that have occured in the past

*Celiac disease