please Quixotic could you help me

[cozymama]

Hello, It has been a while since I have posted on here . I am not getting any better, the muscles in my legs have tightened up and makes it painful to function. i was told my mri is fine. This what it reads: there is approximately 4 focal lesions  involving the cerebral white matter the largest 5mm. Focal prominence of the CSF spaces posterior fossa appears to have  mild mass effect and therefore may represent small arahnoid cyst. Findings do not meet ms criteria. I had a evoked potentials : showed delay in the left somatosensory evoked potential.Also had a electromyography and seen a speclist in this field and he examined me a stated that my muscle on my left side have all tightened up . He has no ideas why. Now my right side is catching up to my left side. My shins hurt so bad it makes walking painful, if I rest I freeze up, if I walk too much it gets worse. Any ideas where to go from here?  thaanks so much for your advise.

[cozymama]

Thanks so much for all your replies...I am really running late here today I promise I will post more info about me in my profile. I mentioned to the nero on my first visit that I have a first and second cousin with MS...so he wrote on my Mri form to check for MS, I must say though he was not on that page one bit.He was sooo insisted it was my back (which is bad).But then the other specialist stated as he read my somatosensery results "this is NOT your back'.......... I'll talk later. thanks again

[Sparkysarah]

Just to say that follow your instinct...you obviously know that something is not right in your body and it is certainly not unreasonable to want to know what has caused the lesions on your MRI.

I would agree with Quix that you need a second opinion and your clinical history and what is happening in your body is an important part of getting a diagnosis. I hope for you that it is not MS...but you need to know. Try and be assertive and push politely (not like childbirth!) for what you deserve....answers.

With love

Sarah xx

[Quixotic1]

Hi, it's too late to comment in full tonight, but......

The radiologist is OFF-BASE!!   MS is NOT a diagnosis made from MRI.  The MRI Criteria are used only when there is not enough information from the history and physical.  The radiologist's comment is inappropriate and shows a poor understanding of how the diagnosis is made.  YOR MRI IS NOT FINE!!!  YOU HAVE AT LEAST FOUR LESIONS - EASILY ENOUGH TO MKE THE DIAGNOSIS IF THE CLINICAL PICTURE IS ENOUGH.

I suggest you need a second opinion from another neuro.

Also, please point us toward where you have told us all about your symptoms, different attacks, if any, and your neuro exam.

See you tomorrow.

Quix

[jensequitur]

Pain medication may not be enough.  It sounds like you're experiencing muscle spasms, or perhaps spasticity, which will cause those feelings of tightness.

I'm not sure I understand why the findings don't match MRI criteria.  If a lesion is in your white matter, it's indicative of multiple sclerosis, especially if it's near a vascular space like your periventrical regions.

I would also ask about a 3T MRI of your spine.  The spine is hard to image, and the higher the resolution of the MRI, the better it will look.

[cozymama]

Hi Red. Thanks for your input. I have been put on pain meds and streching exercises. But I want to know why I have this.This is crazy not to have answers, don't you think I should know why my tests show these results. There has to be a reason in there some where!!

[RedFlame]

Hi, I don't have the knowledge of Quix. but wanted to encourage you.  Has anyone explained why you have these lesions?  Sometimes doctors sort of blow of off or don't communicate with their colleages.  

Your doctors aren't treating you at all!  At the very least you should have pain medicine and muscle relaxants.   Most of us here have had to be our own advocate and interact with our doctors in a more intense dialog.  This is a really good place to learn how to do that.  

Be well,  

Red