Falls

[shelbss17]

Well I've two more instances of falling. It's my legs....I'm so afraid that my Neurologist will still not give me a diagnosis. At the end of my MRI result she noted:

Mild burden of supratentorial white matter disease consistent with stated
history of multiple sclerosis with one new lesion. There is no evidence
of restricted diffusion or enhancement to suggest active demyelination

Don't you have to have active demyelination to have MS? I'm so confused.

[shelbss17]

Hi Sandy...My MRI's have been with contrast. It's the best way to go! Good luck to you...

[shelbss17]

Thank you everyone <3 You explained that well, now I understand :) I know that MS is hard to diagnose and it seems (from what I've read and people I know that have MS) it's hard to get your Neurologist to diagnose it. I don't understand why that is. I just HOPE that she does. I haven't seen her since my last MRI about two weeks ago. Which shows a new lesion and more white matter. She is actually head of the MS board at the Cleveland Clinic.
I just want answers, it's actually taken a tole on me. I'm battling depression. I do take Lexapro for it, but it just seems to be not working.
Frustrated, Frustrated, Frustrated Uhhh.... I'm thankful to have all of you because you know what I'm going through.

[sandythegeek2]

I've been tripping and falling more lately.  My 2nd MRI will be at anytime now.  This time they are going to do it with contrast.  

[essdipity]

JJ and Kyle have nailed this one.

My balance is bad. Even getting up on an examining table can be tough for me, since the last thing I want is to fall. Been there, etc. One time I was in a wine shop and carried my one bottle up to the counter to pay. At that point I lurched badly. Boy was I embarrassed, even though alcohol was not at all involved.

Our Health Pages give great explanations about lesions. Please take a look.

ess

[kwarendorf]

Hi shel -

I gave up drinking 25 years ago, but my balance and gait often make people wonder if I've fallen off the wagon :-)

As JJ said, you don't need to have active lesions in order to have MS. Inactive lesions may continue to cause symptoms to appear because the nerve damaged. The lesion need not be active in order to cause problems. You can also have new lesions, that are not active, appear on an MRI. If the time between MRI's is long enough a lesion can start and then become inactive,

Also as JJ mentioned the window for a lesion to be active is 30-40 days. If you have an MRI done on January 1, a lesion can start on January 31. By February 15 the lesion may have gone inactive. A March 1 MRI would show the new lesion, but show it to be inactive.

The language you quote sounds like radiologist speak, rather than Neurologist speak.

Why do you think she will not give you a diagnosis?

Kyle

[shelbss17]

Also I can't balance on my left foot and I can not do the heel to toe walk :(

[shelbss17]

My reply disappeared ...lol
Okay I have fallen a few times. My legs just give out. They go limp. My last fall I went straight backwards into my closet that was open. I do not feel it coming on.
Thanks JJ

[supermum_ms]

Q:Don't you have to have active demyelination to have MS?
A: Actually you can have MS and not catch them being active so you don't have to have 'active' lesions picked up on an MRI to have MS, demyelinating lesions are not always active, the window is only around 30-40 days.

So what is happening with your legs, that makes you worried about falls?

Cheers............JJ

  

[SarahL2491]

time for a 2nd opinion?