Demyelination Process

[dasmumof5]

Long story short. In 2009, I started to have numbness and weakness in right leg along with hypersensitivity with skin. Bowel issues when this occur.
Ongoing issues, thought it was pinched nerve in back ruled out.  Then dizziness, blurry vision  started in 2012. I had headaches and my mom had her stroke. My doctor ordered my baseline MRA/MRI Brain. MRA is clear.
MRI Brain="Several small nonspecific areas of increased T2 signal are seen in the white matter. These could represent chronic small vessel or a demyelinating process. 10/15/2012. My symptoms continued with vertigo, bluttred vision and upper/lower limb weakness.  On 12/22/2013, I was evaulated at ER for numbness/tingling/, dizziness.
MRI Brain=Areas of multifocal subcortical and deep white matter signal abnormalities, hyperintense lesions. In a patient of this age,  this could relate to demyelination.  Chronic ischemic is less likely.
Both MRI's were done without contrast.
Finally got my referral to a neurologist. My age is 45 and still trying  to piece this out is confusing.
Any advice, still new at this. Yes, I am aware this could be from headaches, migraines, etc.

[rcknaier]

Your neuro will order additional testing to gather data and rule out other suspects such as Lyme's disease.  Look at the Diagnostic criteria called McDonald's revised.  I was initially Dx with Clinically Isolated Syndrome while more testing and evidence was gathered after my first clinically significant event occurred - Optic Neuritis.

Blessings

[kwarendorf]

Hi DMo5,

Welcome to our little chat. I'm sorry you're having a tough time.

The first MRI suggested demyelination as a possibility. The second suggested it was more likely than ischemia. Your symptoms plus the MRI appear to point to MS, but you won't know until after you meet with the neurologist. Even then it may take some time. There may be blood tests to rule out mimics like Lyme disease and a lumbar puncture to look for oligoclonal bands.  

The most important piece of the puzzle is the neuro exam. MS is primarily a clinical diagnosis. When are you seeing the neuro?

Kyle