Aa
abnormal MRI
Hi everyone,
Thank God I stumbled onto this site! I am at my wits end. I don't know where to turn so anyone who can guide me would be much appreciated.
I will start with my MRI report from 9/12 which was done at my request for worsening headaches, since my last one was in 2008. There has been interval increase in punctate nonspecific white matter foci of FLAIR hyperintensity seen specifically in the left frontoparietal centrum ovale. Minimal periventricular FLAIR hyperintensities also seen.
Past medical history:
Migraines/headaches since childhood
1986- 25 yo Hemiplegic migraine with prolonged vasospasm leading to TIA mild r arm weakness, mild word finding difficulty, was on oral contraception was not informed to discontinue
1997-Passenger in auto accident resulting in lumbar annular tear, widespread pain, muscle weakness, fatigue, maybe fibromyalgia, worsening symptoms over several years including irritable bowel, irritable bladder
2007 -small lumbar5- sacral1 herniation
2008- Diagnosed with hemochromatosis, had portacath placed for phlebotomies and developed pulmonary embolus 7 days postop , at which point I was diagnosed with Protein S and Leyden V, and on Coumadin.
2009- off Coumadin as per hematologist; “only need anticoagulant if having surgery in the future”
2009-2010- worsening headaches, partial loss of vision in right eye for approximately 3-4 hours, eye exam normal(“it’s migraine-related”), weakness on right side, paresthesias, occasional brief episodes of word finding difficulty and expressive aphasia, some short term memory loss, paresthesias left arm, mixed urinary incontinence, urethral sphincter weakness
Sept 2010- lung nodule in lingual which was monitored had TB test and Flu shot developed abscess in right nostril with mild facial cellulitis put on course of antibiotics and report CT scan of lung no nodule, labs negative
December 2010- bunionectomy and joint replacement, postop physical therapy, topamax for migraines worked well
Early spring 2011- developed complex regional pain syndrome of right foot, tried Neurontin and Lyrica and tongue swelled, up lost sense of taste and face and arms dull sensation, lumbar sympathetic block injections with some relief; icy sensations shooting in facial area, worsening TMJ, mild left eyelid droopy, increased stress incontinence
Summer 2011- followup for IBS and rule out ulcer, abdominal pain, tachycardia particularly after meals, difficulty swallowing, choking on liquids; endoscopy- swallowing motility problem, achalasia, GERD, large hiatal hernia; “something wrong with your autonomic nervous system”.
Winter 2011- topamax stopped weird symptoms ? reaction in combination with other meds, increase in dropping and knocking things over
Spring 2012- saw new neurologists, (making this the 4th one), for migraines/headaches 5days/week, increased difficulties with concentration, memory, vision, speech, balance, irritability, worsening sleep disorder, CRPS. Showed him MRI from 2008 and discussed symptoms said it was not MS. Didn’t order another MRI. Focus was on migraine management- referral to partner for Botox injections which I declined, and Zofran and Zonegran prescribed- (felt too foggy and headaches worsened so I stopped med), tested for Anderson-Fabry’s disease-negative.
Spring 2012- mammogram and breast ultrasound 3cm lymph node tail of right breast, also intermittent axillary and inguinal lymph node enlargement, increased fatigue, night sweats, no fever. Saw breast surgeon who felt it was due to inflammatory process and referred me to rheumatology.
Seen 3 rheumatology workups over past several years, last one about 18months ago- nothing definitive, probably fibromyalgia. Labwork-intermittent protein C elevations; Sed rate, ANA, Lyme’s disease, Sarcoidosis, and Scleroderma negative. All routine labs normal.
June-Sept 2012 worsening pain in right foot/leg, increased fatigue, weakness, dizziness, visual and speech difficulties
Sept 7, 2012 significant vascular changes in right foot along with increased paresthesias, burning, icy pain, cramping calf pain, extreme fatigue, weakness, irritability
I am 51 years old and am absolutely exhausted and frustrated trying to find someone who can put the pieces of the puzzle back together before I fall apart.
Thanks,
cks
Thank God I stumbled onto this site! I am at my wits end. I don't know where to turn so anyone who can guide me would be much appreciated.
I will start with my MRI report from 9/12 which was done at my request for worsening headaches, since my last one was in 2008. There has been interval increase in punctate nonspecific white matter foci of FLAIR hyperintensity seen specifically in the left frontoparietal centrum ovale. Minimal periventricular FLAIR hyperintensities also seen.
Past medical history:
Migraines/headaches since childhood
1986- 25 yo Hemiplegic migraine with prolonged vasospasm leading to TIA mild r arm weakness, mild word finding difficulty, was on oral contraception was not informed to discontinue
1997-Passenger in auto accident resulting in lumbar annular tear, widespread pain, muscle weakness, fatigue, maybe fibromyalgia, worsening symptoms over several years including irritable bowel, irritable bladder
2007 -small lumbar5- sacral1 herniation
2008- Diagnosed with hemochromatosis, had portacath placed for phlebotomies and developed pulmonary embolus 7 days postop , at which point I was diagnosed with Protein S and Leyden V, and on Coumadin.
2009- off Coumadin as per hematologist; “only need anticoagulant if having surgery in the future”
2009-2010- worsening headaches, partial loss of vision in right eye for approximately 3-4 hours, eye exam normal(“it’s migraine-related”), weakness on right side, paresthesias, occasional brief episodes of word finding difficulty and expressive aphasia, some short term memory loss, paresthesias left arm, mixed urinary incontinence, urethral sphincter weakness
Sept 2010- lung nodule in lingual which was monitored had TB test and Flu shot developed abscess in right nostril with mild facial cellulitis put on course of antibiotics and report CT scan of lung no nodule, labs negative
December 2010- bunionectomy and joint replacement, postop physical therapy, topamax for migraines worked well
Early spring 2011- developed complex regional pain syndrome of right foot, tried Neurontin and Lyrica and tongue swelled, up lost sense of taste and face and arms dull sensation, lumbar sympathetic block injections with some relief; icy sensations shooting in facial area, worsening TMJ, mild left eyelid droopy, increased stress incontinence
Summer 2011- followup for IBS and rule out ulcer, abdominal pain, tachycardia particularly after meals, difficulty swallowing, choking on liquids; endoscopy- swallowing motility problem, achalasia, GERD, large hiatal hernia; “something wrong with your autonomic nervous system”.
Winter 2011- topamax stopped weird symptoms ? reaction in combination with other meds, increase in dropping and knocking things over
Spring 2012- saw new neurologists, (making this the 4th one), for migraines/headaches 5days/week, increased difficulties with concentration, memory, vision, speech, balance, irritability, worsening sleep disorder, CRPS. Showed him MRI from 2008 and discussed symptoms said it was not MS. Didn’t order another MRI. Focus was on migraine management- referral to partner for Botox injections which I declined, and Zofran and Zonegran prescribed- (felt too foggy and headaches worsened so I stopped med), tested for Anderson-Fabry’s disease-negative.
Spring 2012- mammogram and breast ultrasound 3cm lymph node tail of right breast, also intermittent axillary and inguinal lymph node enlargement, increased fatigue, night sweats, no fever. Saw breast surgeon who felt it was due to inflammatory process and referred me to rheumatology.
Seen 3 rheumatology workups over past several years, last one about 18months ago- nothing definitive, probably fibromyalgia. Labwork-intermittent protein C elevations; Sed rate, ANA, Lyme’s disease, Sarcoidosis, and Scleroderma negative. All routine labs normal.
June-Sept 2012 worsening pain in right foot/leg, increased fatigue, weakness, dizziness, visual and speech difficulties
Sept 7, 2012 significant vascular changes in right foot along with increased paresthesias, burning, icy pain, cramping calf pain, extreme fatigue, weakness, irritability
I am 51 years old and am absolutely exhausted and frustrated trying to find someone who can put the pieces of the puzzle back together before I fall apart.
Thanks,
cks
some suggestions
take everything out of your time line that does not pertain to CNS (central nervous system) problems and/or MS.
This shortened list will help you and us. We are just patients and many of us can't read long lines of text (if you could break up future posts into short ones like Lisa did) as our concentration is difficult often with MS.
Welcome and we will help you where we can with suggestions and opinions, as Lisa stated, there are many mimic diseases and while we can make suggestions, you will probably have to rule them all out and will need your neuro to help with that. Also a good eye doctor, a specialist, would not be a bad idea. If your neuro continues to say "no MS", you have a choice of going to a new neuro or waiting til something else develops. Lisa is right, migraines can form lesions also.
Please go to the www.ms.org website, they have awesome articles about MS symptoms as do the pages to the right within our site.
Good luck and keep us posted!
take everything out of your time line that does not pertain to CNS (central nervous system) problems and/or MS.
This shortened list will help you and us. We are just patients and many of us can't read long lines of text (if you could break up future posts into short ones like Lisa did) as our concentration is difficult often with MS.
Welcome and we will help you where we can with suggestions and opinions, as Lisa stated, there are many mimic diseases and while we can make suggestions, you will probably have to rule them all out and will need your neuro to help with that. Also a good eye doctor, a specialist, would not be a bad idea. If your neuro continues to say "no MS", you have a choice of going to a new neuro or waiting til something else develops. Lisa is right, migraines can form lesions also.
Please go to the www.ms.org website, they have awesome articles about MS symptoms as do the pages to the right within our site.
Good luck and keep us posted!
Hello there and would like to welcome you to the forums where I hope you will find emotional support in this great community. Some people have the diagnosis of MS and within those who do have a diagnosis, some were quicker than others. Meaning there are people who waited years to get a diagnosis, others have been diagnosed with something else that mimics MS (which there are a lot of things that can do so).
You have a lot going on here and your main concern appears to be your worsening symptoms concerning fatigue, pain, weakness, visual and speech difficulties and no one is offering an explanation other than s/p TIA with residual right sided weakness, mild aphasia, fibromyalgia and headaches.
A lot of us know what it feels like to be at your wits end and trust me when I say this, I've been there only to find myself unconcerned when I'm having a good day, a good week and sometimes a good month!
You have definitely gone to all specialists that appears to be conducive to your symptoms, but yet you're bereft of any diagnosis. It's no wonder why you are at your wits end!
Do you have a history of diabetes? Hypothyriodism? Any cardiac history?
Perhaps a visit to a MS Specialist would help? Have you gone to a Neuro-opthalmologist? (Not optometrist)? Have you had any evoked potentials done?
You've been through the ringer, no question about that and because of your history of TIA and migraine headaches T2 hyperintensities can form especially <3mm in the periventricular area and the centrum semiovale. However, I'm not saying you do or don't have MS. I'm not a doctor but only offer support in ways that I can.
I do wish you the best and please let us know how things go!
Sincerely
Lisa
You have a lot going on here and your main concern appears to be your worsening symptoms concerning fatigue, pain, weakness, visual and speech difficulties and no one is offering an explanation other than s/p TIA with residual right sided weakness, mild aphasia, fibromyalgia and headaches.
A lot of us know what it feels like to be at your wits end and trust me when I say this, I've been there only to find myself unconcerned when I'm having a good day, a good week and sometimes a good month!
You have definitely gone to all specialists that appears to be conducive to your symptoms, but yet you're bereft of any diagnosis. It's no wonder why you are at your wits end!
Do you have a history of diabetes? Hypothyriodism? Any cardiac history?
Perhaps a visit to a MS Specialist would help? Have you gone to a Neuro-opthalmologist? (Not optometrist)? Have you had any evoked potentials done?
You've been through the ringer, no question about that and because of your history of TIA and migraine headaches T2 hyperintensities can form especially <3mm in the periventricular area and the centrum semiovale. However, I'm not saying you do or don't have MS. I'm not a doctor but only offer support in ways that I can.
I do wish you the best and please let us know how things go!
Sincerely
Lisa
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