How often do Strokes not show up on MRIs?

[stillkickin242]

   Since I was 10 I had funny neurological symptoms that were diagnosed as migraines but never seem to fit.  I would have times where I almost passed out (usually when I was on birth control), my legs, arms, or face would go numb, and I would get visual auras sometimes accompanied by an awful headache.  I also had headaches most days out of the week.  When I was 18 I had a stroke that made my arm and face feel funny.  This stroke showed up on high quality MRI.  I went on to have an "episode" where I went from being a competitive soccer player and active college student to bedridden in the time it took me to get up from the couch after I was watching TV.  This episode gave me left sided weakens, ataxia ( I think that is what my PT called my lack or coordination when walking), no taste on the left side of my tongue, vestibular problems, extreme fatigue, and problems with low blood pressure/high heart rate.  My PT also said that my eyes did something that suggested a neurological problem, but I forget the details of this.  This episode I assumed to be a stroke as well, but it did not show up on an MRI or CT scan.  I found out that I had a PFO and a genetic blood clotting disorder that caused my stroke and ever since I had my PFO closed I have had no more headaches, new neurological symptoms, or "episodes."
  Since my stroke I have been diagnosed with orthostatic hypotension, neurocardiogenic syncope, and POTS although this seems like more of a name for a collection of symptoms than a cause, which is what I am concerned about.  I have been to so many doctors and most of them do not know what happened, and don't know how to help me.
  I was wondering if someone could give me their opinion as to whether my episode was a stroke that didn't show up on an MRI.  I have heard of Wallenberg Syndrome which pretty much covers all of my symptoms, comes from when an area of the brainstem is damaged, and if it is damaged by a stroke often does not show up on an MRI.  Or, if this was not a stroke what it is?  (MS was also ruled out too.)  Also, where can I find doctors who understand my problem and would be willing to help me?  I live in California, but I am willing to go anywhere I can find help at this point.  Do you have any other suggestions as to what I can do to speed up/help my recovery?
   It has been one year since my "episode" and I want to go back to being an active college student and soccer player.  I know this may never happen but I want to give myself the best chance possible.
Thank you for your time!
-stillkickin'

[WendyLee1911]

Did you ever find anything with your research? My sister sounds JUST Like this!! If you have any further info, could you please email me? wendy.***@****

Thanks,
Wendy

[chames]

Hi,
You write you're in the military. Have you received any vaccines lately? If so, maybe an auto-immune reaction to same. Ask about transverse myletis (sp?). Hope that's it; things should calm down and reverse with time. Good luck and thank you for your service to our country.

[hv2laf]

I have all the same symptoms. Im 22 yr old male, great shape. Currently active duty in the Marine Corps. They hospital is currently working on me for alot of these symptoms,  I will see them later today to bring up the idea of POTS. I have been tested up the wazooo for these symptoms and they are telling me my EKG is normal heart looks very healthy, cholesterol great, blood tests all normal or negative, nothing shows in xrays and MRIs except .. T7 vertebrae looks to have a small old compression fracture and minimal disk bulges in a couple of my disks but not bad enough to be causing some of the symptoms. Just to hit on some of these symptoms
"Hypertension"
increase in heartrate
fatigue all the time
insomnia or sleep in hourly sections waking up every few hours or sleep thru the night and still be just as tired.
Low back pain
Mid back pain on and off
they have told me i have irritable bowel syndome  as well as back spasms, erectile dysfunction
Also have stiffness in neck alot of the time, makes popping noises all the time when i move it
Anytime i get hungry or have to use the restroom.. its sudden onset

gonna stop there.. its a huge list

On the 26th of March 2009.. Recently I was standing up talking on the phone with a friend laughing having a good time after getting off work. I get this painful feeling shockwave thru body. Just for a second. Then another very quick and went away. Knew something was wrong. Right after, i got very cold feeling sensation under ribcage, weird feeling in mid back, stomach got very nauseated, and breathing got a tiny bit harder. I reached back to touch my back. Had no feeling in it. Ended up getting paramedics to my house, by this time i lost feeling on the OUTSIDE of my legs and arms. They took me to the hospital, hooked me up on some heavy meds through the IV in me. Couldnt see straight but I felt better so they sent me home. This is the first ever as far as numbing goes. Since then Ive had skin irritation, loss of taste, nightmares, pain all over my body completely randomized sometimes and come and go as they please and a small portion under my left ankle is numb and as u continue up the sensation slowly comes back.

I have been looking into Lymes Disease, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and POTS. Been reseaching on my own, googling symptoms. My doc doesnt think I have any of these.. nor can he "put any of my symptoms together".  Ive been posting in another section of this forum as well.
But Ill let you know what they find on me. Maybe it will help you

[Heiferly]

The Mayo Clinic does evaluations where you go there with a "what the heck is wrong with me?" kind of case, and they have you stay for a number of days (usually in a hotel near the hospital, not inpatient unless they need specific overnight tests like video EEG or something) and they line you up with a battery of specialists and tests back to back during that stay to try to solve the mystery for you.  I can't seem to find the place online where I was reading about this now to send you the link.  Johns Hopkins would be an excellent choice for that, too.  At any rate, if you're willing to travel and you have the means, here's the list of the best places to go for neurology:

http://www.usnews.com/directories/hospitals/index_html/specialty+IHQNEUR/
http: // www. usnews. com /directories /hospitals /index_ html /specialty+ IHQNEUR/

I'm listing the same link twice.  If it is blocked the first time, use the second one and remove the spaces.  Medhelp blocks URLs and email addresses sometimes.

[stillkickin242]

OOPs I thought I sent this to one of the "ask a doctor" forums.   Still, any insight would be wonderful.