White matter on the brain

[Pam]

Hi, actually I have lot's of questions,but this is the main one.I suffer from a lot of things-vertigo,chronic pain through out my body,double vision,muscle weakness,to name a few.I've had 3 MRI'S of the brain,each 2 yrs. apart.All show white matter in area's of the brain.Had a lumbar puncture,MS was ruled out.I was told it's FMS.But, I can't get a clear answer about the spots on my brain.Why ar they there and will they affect me some how?I sure would appreciate any info. you can give me.Many Thanks

[Sheree Kazi]

I did forget to mention that Grandma fell a day or two before the cat scan, but the dr. has stated that the fall had nothing to do with the stroke.  Since the fall, she has not been able to hear very well at all, but each day it gets better.  The dr. also said that there is no bleeding in the brain.

Thanks again.

[Enhanced Lesions on White Matter]

I had an MRI done to rule out blocked carotid artery and that ended up fine but found scattered white matter plaques and one enhanced (first mri was 6 months earlier and no enhancements) So now we are in the dx stage to see if I have MS.  I consider myself lucky to have had this noticed so soon as I have no MS symtpoms.  

My question is, based onthe location of the plaques (periventricular right semi ovale) I was told this is typical area for MS lesions/plaques. If it is MS, is that area where mobility will be problem?  Could the lesions be from chronic sinusitis? as I have constant nose,chest,throat infections.

I will not be terrified if I have MS. It is actually the best thing to have rather than stroke, ALS, etc..  I just want to get an idea on what MAY happen in 15 years or so. You know, maybe save a little money now instead of later LOl

Thanks for your time and please don't get discouraged with the bad element in some of the replys. People will be people.

[Todd]

My girlfriend is 24 years old and has a baby of 16 months. She has hypothyroidism and is on medication for that. She started to get tingling and numbness in her left leg mostly and sometimes in her hands and arms. She has been complaining of this ever since they had sprayed to kill mosquitos here in Westchester NY. If you dont know, there is this viral mosquito thing going around here. Anyway, she started to feel these symptoms when they sprayed since she was outside at the time of spraying and actually felt the chemicals hit her skin. I dont know if it can be related but you never know. After seeing a doctor about this numbness and tingling and later worsening effects like, "earthquake in the brain", or a "feeling of being on drugs, no control", and fatigue and other little things, the doctor said we should do an MRI and the results found that she has, "white lesions on the white matter of the brain". Well this was just told to us 2 days ago. Needless to say we are very very scared as to what it is that is causing lesions on the brain. Furthermore she doesnt have any insurance, however nothing has been diagnosed yet. The doctor said the next step is to schedule a spinal tap. This is unreal that we are going through this and it just scares the hell out of us. I guess my question is do you have any advice knowing all the circumstances that were previously explained. I have read about the MS theory and I just cant believe that she would have it, knowing however that it effects anyone. I was wondering first, what else it could possibly besides MS? You know her statistics do you need any other information? Cant a stroke cause lesions on the brain? Is the demyelination process the only thing that causes these lesions? Help for we are scared and information hungry. Thanks....................................

[Todd]

My girlfriend is 24 years old and has a baby of 16 months. She has hypothyroidism and is on medication for that. She started to get tingling and numbness in her left leg mostly and sometimes in her hands and arms. She has been complaining of this ever since they had sprayed to kill mosquitos here in Westchester NY. If you dont know, there is this viral mosquito thing going around here. Anyway, she started to feel these symptoms when they sprayed since she was outside at the time of spraying and actually felt the chemicals hit her skin. I dont know if it can be related but you never know. After seeing a doctor about this numbness and tingling and later worsening effects like, "earthquake in the brain", or a "feeling of being on drugs, no control", and fatigue and other little things, the doctor said we should do an MRI and the results found that she has, "white lesions on the white matter of the brain". Well this was just told to us 2 days ago. Needless to say we are very very scared as to what it is that is causing lesions on the brain. Furthermore she doesnt have any insurance, however nothing has been diagnosed yet. The doctor said the next step is to schedule a spinal tap. This is unreal that we are going through this and it just scares the hell out of us. I guess my question is do you have any advice knowing all the circumstances that were previously explained. I have read about the MS theory and I just cant believe that she would have it, knowing however that it effects anyone. I was wondering first, what else it could possibly besides MS? You know her statistics do you need any other information? Cant a stroke cause lesions on the brain? Is the demyelination process the only thing that causes these lesions? Help for we are scared and information hungry. Thanks....................................

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Betty:

As we age, we have some brain degeneration that is part of the aging process and the life styles we live.  Alcoholics, smokeres, people with high blood pressure, diabetes, etc all have brain white matter changes.  People who live clean lives and have no vices also get white matter changes.  My neuroradiology friend who is 41 has one spot on his MRI that indicates white matter changes.  I would just try and live your life and not pay too much attention to it.  Of course, if you do any thing that would hasten aging, then I would recommend changing your habit(s).  

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro MD

[Betty]

I, 65 yr old female, have breast cancer and after chemotherapy had headaches.  I thought caused by being taken off caffiene & premarin.  The oncologist said by length of time that was not cause & ordered MRI of brain.  Finding: small focus of abnormal hyperintense signal in the right suprasylvian region likely representing a small area of gliosis/encephalomalomalacia related to microvasculopathy.  Minimal periventricular white matter disease present.  In layman's terms what does this mean?  No evidence of metastic disease was found.   Thank you.