Neuro appt results

[kimbas]

Went to neuro appt....more non-specific lesions,but feels that they are due to my monthly period headaches...so no cause for concern it seems :) many thanks for all your input............Kimbas

[Quixotic1]

Hi, finally here.  I have to say that I have a hard time believing that fairly mild headaches (no nausea or serious symptoms) would cause this kind of increase in the lesion count.  Yes, migraines are a micro-vascular insult and are definitley associated with white matter lesions.  I would like to here from a real migraine specialist that headaches like you describe can cause ever-growing numbers of lesions.

Your age is going against  you in this.  So many neuros consider anyone over the age of 40 to be absolutely decrepit and expect great deterioration in the brain.  From my reading, though, it is not that remarkable.

As far as discovering MS before the person has symptoms?  Yes, this is a known phenomenon.  Three years before symptoms?  I don't know.  We have had a few come through here with no or few symptoms when the lesions were discovered (Burbandude and Sunshine8) but their symptoms were close behind.  And one of them had abnormalities discovered on a very thorough neuro exam.  Has this guy done a head to toes neurologic exam - one that took quite a long time?  Dozens of things tested?

As I said before, the peripheral vision problem is classic for a pituitary tumor - usually an adenoma.  So that symptom is iffy.

But you also have the writing problem - did that appear with the diabetes insipidus?  It is hard for me to know if that is a "vision" (eyes) problem or a perceptual (brain) problem.  Also, you are having some urinary problems, yes?  Plus the paresthesia on your back.

If I was in your shoes I would want to assure that the other symptoms I had were not explainable by other things.  I am disturbed by the outright dismissal of the lesions as secondary to migraines when the headaches just don't seem that bad.

I would want a THOROUGH neuro exam,

Urogynecologic exam and possibly urodynamic testing to see if the urinary problem is neurologic or functional, such as a weakened pelvic floor or overactive bladder.

Neuropsychological testing to see if there are perceptual problems in any realm, vision, auditory, motor, etc.

I would seek another opinion(s) on these points.  I guess mainly from a real migraine expert to see if the lesions as they are accumulating are really consistent with migraine disease.  Maybe they are.

So, I can't tell you not to worry about MS.  I would think that the length of time from finding the first lesions (3 years) makes it less likely that you truly have MS.  I don't think that I would have been reassured by what you have been told.  If this, indeed, is MS, it is currently acting very mildly and that is good.  It does buy you time to find these things out.

I hope this helped.  

Quix

[kimbas]

Any one else have any ideas?? or input thanks much, and yes the lesions have increased for the last 3 years that I have been getting MRI's. but I have period headaches monthly as well, ( check my post non-ms for other reports if interested) hehe many thanks, Kim

[biowham]

Your headaches are hormone-withdrawal headaches. If they caused white matter lesions and caused them to increase every month, just about every single woman I know would have a brain packed with white matter lesions.

Go to a different neuro, please, if you can. Your brain is showing MORE lesions with each imaging, yet this dingus thinks it's because you have headaches? You come in there with symptoms, you have evident changes in time and space, and...it's "period headaches"? You're only 46 years old and are accumulating lesions at a visible pace, and his only offer to you is "headaches"??!? Pardon my French, but WT...Farkles?

I'd like to see what Quix has to say about this. It strikes me as a MAJOR dud. I'd really seek a second opinion if I were you.

Bio

[kimbas]

I'm feeling o.k. atm He seems so sure no chance of MS here is the new MRI results done in feb of 09 if you need refresher of previous let me know.....there is a slight increase in the amount of FLAIR signal abnormalities in the white matter bilateral cerebral hemispheres without evidence of associated enhancement or mass effect. no enhancing intracranial lesions. ventricles and csf spaces within normal limits. The sella turcica has a very similar appearance to the prior study with partially empty sella identified.  
I was confused as well but I do have a monthly headache during my periods only never considered them a migraine I guess they are but I've never had a bad headache (nausea, aura's, or light sensitive etc.) so after having them monthly for 36 years lol I don't even take anything for them........but since also no real symptoms to, was going to go with that diagnosis, would still appreciate any input though I value all of your knowledge here, and I must say I've come to a greater understanding of this disease, and what those of you with MS go thru, all I can say is bless you, Many Thanks, Kim

[sllowe]

Hi Kimbas,

Well, I just don't know what to say. Did the Dr. say more than the past MRIs?  

If I remember correctly you have had increased lesions each time you have been imaged.  Is this correct?

I surely do not want to tell you what to do, Kim, because I don't knw how you are feeling, but if you feel uncomfortable about headache as a cause, and are feeling badly, please seek a 2nd opinion.  

I just don't know enough to speak about lesions from headaches, though I know it's possible.  The neuro usually asks about history of headache.

I've just not heard much about acquiring them at such a rapid pace.

Hope you'll stay along with us ....
-shell