Are constant spasms of the extremities lasting 2+ hrs a neuro problem?

Question

My father is 75 and has Rheumatoid Arth., past hx of MI at age 53 in which only one vessel was involved and an angioplasty performed and has had no problems since. He has had 4 back sugeries with the last being a 360 with infusion of the 3-5th vert., and 1 neck surgery also involving an infusion. He also has a hx of severe migranes which ceased at age 45.  Over the past  few years he has developed moderate to severe trembling of his hands, memory problems, numbness and tingling of all extremities and c/o loss of feeling in his feet. he began having seizure like activity in which he has constant spasms of all extremities which are very painful but does not loose consciousness or have difficulty breathing. However when the episodes are over he is very weak, looses partial bladder control for a short period of time, and then is very sore and fatigued for up to 48 hrs. He had an MRI in 11/09 which concluded he had a (1) mass along the pianum sphenoidale, most compatible with a menigioma. (2) Chronic infarct with cyctic encephalomalacia, lft occipital lobe, with ex vacuo dilatation of the lft occip. horn and porencephalic cyst formation. (3) Cortical and central atrophy, (4) Partially empty sella, and (5) Microangiopathic gliosis.  All he was told by a neurologist was "it probably wouldn't have any affect on him in his lifetime" (I am not sure the neurologist knew of the seizure like activites). His Rheumatologist claims it is due to the Rheumatoid Arthritis. 
 My father is a very private person and although I am a retired R.N., he does not share many of his symptoms with me. I just learned of the sez. like activity( for lack of a better description ). I need help quickly and am clueless how to help him. I have severe fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis. Is this my fate?

anuragsrivastava · Accepted Answer

Hi, Thank you for your question. His symptoms could be due to enlarged cyst or white matter disease (microangiopathic gliosis). In white matter disease or microvesicular ischemic disease of brain, pathology is associated with the brain white matter, either exclusively or in combination with grey matter changes. It occurs due to metabolism errors, exogenous toxins released by virus, autoimmune disease, leukodystrophy, demyelination, and radiation effects. Spasticity, muscle weakness, paralysis, hyper-reflexia and movement disorder may be the clinical features associated with white matter disease that need to be evaluated thoroughly. However, it is sad to say that there is no permanent cure but conservative treatment & physiotherapy exercises that would help you to regain your normal function and stopping the further progression of the disease. Please consult a neurologist in this regards. Hope this helps.

susiekt59 · Answer

My father is about 5'8" and 170 #. He is not over weight, never has been and does not have any metabolic disorders apparent, nor does he have hypertension  The MRI states in the findings that there are spotty areas of T2 white matter hyperintensity noted within the deep and periventricular white matter regions, consistent with microangiopathic gliosis. It also states there is an area of encephalomalacia w/cystic change involving the left occipital lobe posteriorly, presumably representing an area of old infarct. There is ex vaco dilitationof the left occipital horn w/porencephalic cyst formation extending into the area of infarct.  
He has not had a stroke that we are aware of.  He does have rheumatoid and when dx several years ago, his RA was 1750!
I do not understand what all this means and would love a laymens explanation. I so appreciate your response and thank you for your time. I may be a nurse but at this time, I am a distraught daughter.