multiple sclerosis question

[larandsandy]

I have a question regarding some symptoms that I have been having once in awhile.  I am a 43 yo female.  I have suffered from migraine headaches since 10 or 11.  I have both the classic and common type headaches and have had mri's that indicate lesions on the matter of the brain.  My symptoms that concern me are that the past couple of years I have episodes of extreme vertigo and then weakness that typically lasts a few weeks.  It starts out as vertigo with nausea and then the weakness sets in.  Then it seems to let up and I feel ok again.  I can also get this for a shorter period of time.  It concerns me and I was wondering if you think it may be multiple sclerosis? I have a family history of neurological diseases (father-Lewy Body Disease, paternal aunt - migraine, Pic's Disease).  Any insight would be appreciated.  Thank you.

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-SH]

First of all, keep in mind that I am unable to diagnose you because I am unable to examine you, this forum is for educational purposes.    
   The symptoms that you describe are non-specific, and more information is need to tell the difference between basilar type migraines, multiple sclerosis or others.  Basilar migraine headaches can cause vertigo, nausea and a sense of depletion.  The treatment for these is usually a prophylactic agent such as elavil, topamax, nadolol, etc.  Your MRI that indicates 'lesions in the [white]matter' of the brain is a start but you need a cervical spine MRI (both brain and C-spine with contrast) a lumbar puncture to look for inflammation (IgG index, oligoclonal bands) and visual evoked potentials.  As far as the neurodengerative diseases that you mentioned (lewy body, picks) I would recommend neuro-psych testing for a baseline study and to detect any early signs of dementia.  
I hope this has been helpful.

[young at heart]

There could be a possibility of MS,only a thorough work up can tell.
Yes,MS can cause lesions in the grey matter,usually they go undetected .Some technology has advanced to detect grey matter lesions with MS.They have limited resourses and studies are advancing in MS.Studies have shown at autopsy that 30-35 % of patients with MS had grey matter lesions.
If you google grey matter lesions+ms theres a wealth of info and studies.

[piano]

This is

[larandsandy]

thanks to you all for your comments. I am not totally sure that the lesions were in the grey matter, as I didn't have a copy of the report, just memory.  They very well could have been in the white matter.  I guess I will just need to have more tests done to see.  Thanks

[JCmcc]

Ms lesions are typically seen only in the white matter/deep and in the 3 sections of the sp.cord, though most commonly in the c, t-also can have them but more likely in the t for Transverse Myelitis.

Good Luck!
JCmcc.

[Jadis]

It may help if you can post more info about your MRIs if you have the report. Where, how many, and what size are your lesions? Has the number of your lesions changed over time (if you've had more than one MRI)?

[larandsandy]

Hi, Well, the report said that there was multiple lesions in the grey matter and that they were not ovoid in shape.  This is all that I remember.  There was also something said about blood vessel changes consistent with migraine headache activity.  I only had one MRI and I had a catscan years ago when I was initially diagnosed with the migraines.  Thanks for your comment,

[Jenny Wren]

I think, but I might be wrong, that MS lesions are in the white matter of the brain, not gray.  I might be wrong, so don't take this info to be misleading.  Hope you get answers soon.  I too suffer from migraines and all kinds of weird sensations, on a daily basis.  My brain MRI was clear, I had these symptoms for 6 years now.  The last MRI was done in April this year.  My c-spine showed a bulging disk.  Take care, and hang in there, its tough, I know!!!