MRI Results..

[jibjen]

Hello,
I am new here and only starting to think about the possiblity of MS. I went for MRI 3 weks ago and do not understand language. Dr. states that I have leasions on MRI and i do suffer from migraines but things have changed with my symptoms.....MRI Results state that I have numerous supratentorial white matter T2 and Flair Hyperintense Foci are nonspecific, possibly representing demyelinating process, CNS vasculitis, lyme disease, small vessel ischenic change, or numerous other etiologies. Distibution is somewhat atypical for MS? so what does this maean? My Dr. has ruled out epilepsy and Lyme Disease. I have alot of  symptoms I see or MS...we have not explored other tests such as a LP yet... Does "atypical" mean most likely MS or not likely and what do they mean by nonspecific???

Any feedback  would e greatly appreciated.

[jibjen]

Hi Udkas,

Hi. Thanks..my migraines do usually mess with my vision and I usually get aura migraines with numbness and tingling on my left side that always the side with my migraines.I take Topomax  daily for my migraines and Amerge when one hits and have been on this medication for 2 years.What has changed for me recently and has led me to beleive that something else has been  going on is that Topomax does have cognitive side effects but those seemed to ween away after a while when I was on it for a bit... Just recently i have been getting blurred vision in my left eye (side associated with my migrane) with NO migarne and my left eye hurts like sandpaper..only left side and I have had increase in cognitive problems, I have lost most of my short term memory, transpose my words and numbers as you and repeat and lose myself in the middle of sentcnces..what seems odd is that my doctor never increasd my Topomax so i could see if he increased it tI would have these difficulties again but it is odd.. I also have episodes of getting up and not being able to even climb the stairs or walk due to weakness and muscle pain..this will last a few days and then go away..I also get episodes of dizziness..not any but 2 that were very weird..I have lost my strength in my upper limbs and have become sensative to being in the sun/heat. I love to sit in the sun but 1 day in the sun and I feel like a MAC Truck has hit me..so you see not only has the sysmptoms I am use to having with a migraines changed but I am getting others that are starting to make me wonder..........I thought I might have Lyme Disease and never found the bite but I was tested negative by an Infectious Disease Doctor. I have had Epilepsy ruled out and when I stated to search out vision problems I was led to MS sights as a possibility..... My doctor did talk about an LP but he does not think it is needd at this stage...I go back in 3 months...That is why i want to keep better track of my body and symptoms.(If I can remember to LOL!) .As far as my vision the MRI ruled out optic neuritis so he did tell me to go to an eye doctor for that...I worry about my work too... I have been at my job for 10 years and all of a sudden I feel stupid....like  do not kno what the hell I am doing...We will see. Thanks a bunch for chatting with me.. MS has not been diagnosed for me either but not ruled out yet as well...looks lik we might be in the same boat? ;o) Have a good one

[Udkas]

Hi there,
I knew some body could answer your post better than myself about the lesions.  I would certainly go for the LP.

Migraines can cause vision problems too.  I have some weird auras that cause shimmering, blurry vision and a pressure behind my eye.  Any eye problem should be evaluated by an ophalmologist to check for optic neuritis, I have also had optic neuritis but my latest lot of vision problems have been migraine related.

Sometimes our memory loss can be due to anxiety and stress about our symptoms, I know when I am suffering from loads of symptoms I never seem to focus or think as well but I put it down to the fact I am preoccupied with my symptoms etc. Also before I get a migraine I mix my words up and transpose figures etc.. which is  a real bad thing as I have been doing all the books for a large business lately.. I think they might fire me if I keep this up...lol. I am not sure if that is due to migraine/MS or just old age...lol,

I am not diagnosed with MS but MS has not been ruled out completely.

Udkas (diagnosis TM?)

[jibjen]

Thank You as well for your feedback.... Trying to keep track of symptoms and new ones due to migraines but have lots of vision issues and memory loss which is odd for me right now....I apreciate you taking time to answer my post ;o)

[jibjen]

Thank You,

medical definitions can be confusing. My doc hasn't ruled it out totally but wants to wait for LP right now as migraines have been my main issue except I have  had many vision issues and increased cognitive problems with memory loss lately along  with other symptoms. wait and see approach right now... Thanks for your input..trying to just track symptoms if I need it in the future. ;o)

[jensequitur]

I believe 'supratentorial' means 'inside the tent.'  The tentorium is the membrane that surrounds the cerebrum.  If you had a lesion in the cerebellum (infratentorial) that would be considered more indicative of MS.

MS lesions typically are distributed around the vascular spaces of your brain - around the veins that feed the brain blood.  From the radiologist's report, I would assume that the lesions are scattered throughout the brain, so they don't immediately point to MS.  If they're oval in appearance, they're definite for MS, but if they're little punctate ones, they're less positive of the cause.

Your next step would be to get an LP, to check your CSF for oligoclonal bands.

[Udkas]

Hi there and welcome to the MS Forum.  I am sure that someone with a lot more knowledge than myself will come along and answer your questions.

I just noticed that nobody had replied so I thought I would tell you what I do know.
Atypical is not norm,  so by that comment I would say that your MRI lesions are not the normal pattern that they would see with someone that has MS and maybe suit better that of the type of lesions that are seen with migraines or ischenic disease etc.

You are best to discuss this with your neurologist and if in doubt get a second opinion.  I really don't know much about MRI and lesions but someone else here I am sure will be able to verify more.

Migraines can cause an amazing array of symptoms that can mimic MS, I am not implying it is migraine but there are many mimics out there like MS.

Best wishes with your symptoms and your diagnosis, I hope you do get some answers.

Cheers,
Udkas.