Page 1 of 1

What else could this be?

Posted: Tue Jul 30, 2013 1:43 am
by Pinkkitty
Hello,

I saw a doctor last year because I had so many symptoms of MS. I had an MRI done (incomplete.....didn't take one of the lower spinal region) also. The MRI came back with 3 big blood cysts attached to my spine and 5 foci in some area of my brain where MS supposedly doesn't affect. Due to this my doctor pretty much disregarded all of my other symptoms. I have a feeling he thinks I am a hypochondriac because I have bipolar disorder.

Anyway, at the time he told me the tiny ends of my blood vessels were breaking off due to the extreme pressure they were under from my thickened fast rushing blood. He said these little broken pieces were rushing through my vessels and ended up lodging in my brain. I was put on regular strength aspirin and told to quit smoking.....I did.

Sooooo.......I was very relieved because if I am a hypochondriac I really do not like having the actual condition. Time goes on....it is now a little over a year later. I am getting the same symptoms again. They have been coming on slowly, for awhile I just thought they were regular problems one gets as they age ( I'm 47). Today my thinking returned to MS in a rather swift, startling way. I have been having these pains in my mouth, I have described them as "sharp, pin pricks, almost like electrocution". I had been having these pains for almost a month, along with worsening headaches, severe palsy in my hands, spasms that are so obvious they embarrass me, spine and liver pain up against my ribs like a crushing hug and......well you get the picture. The mouth thing I just looked up today because I am going to the doctor on the 6th and wanted to be prepared with some info. I found this nerve disorder (forgot the name...sorry!!) and the article used the same descriptive words I used to describe it. It also said it is very common among those who have MS. Supposedly it is a nerve condition.

So at this point I'm not sure where I really stand. I have called my dr.'s office to get a referral to see a neurologist. My doctor when he told me the results of my MRI acted like it was no biggie.....just quit smoking and take aspirin. The nurse however was a different story. She pretty much freaked out when I told her I had not seen a neurologist. She said I needed to because I do have 5 lesions on my brain. Well I just ignored that also, thinking "well it's not MS, what's the big deal?". Then I talked with a friend this week and told her I had been having a lot of strange type migraines lately. When I told her I had 5 lesions she really freaked out (she has worked in the medical field for years), she said anytime you have lesions on your brain it is serious and that I should see my dr. ASAP.

Now I feel very confused. Could this be serious? Did I mess up by not takin action last year when I was first told about the 5 foci? What about those 3 blood cysts attached to my spinal column, they were pretty big and sometimes my back hurts in those areas. Will they just pop open someday or am I expected to live with them forever? I know this is a lot of stuff to read. Next posts will not be this long. Thank you!!!..... :!: :wink: :wink: :razz: :wink:

Re: What else could this be?

Posted: Tue Jul 30, 2013 6:10 pm
by lyndacarol
Pinkkitty wrote: I saw a doctor last year because I had so many symptoms of MS. .... I have a feeling he thinks I am a hypochondriac because I have bipolar disorder.

Anyway, at the time he told me the tiny ends of my blood vessels were breaking off due to the extreme pressure they were under from my thickened fast rushing blood. He said these little broken pieces were rushing through my vessels and ended up lodging in my brain. I was put on regular strength aspirin and told to quit smoking.....I did.

....
Now I feel very confused. Could this be serious? Did I mess up by not takin action last year when I was first told about the 5 foci? What about those 3 blood cysts attached to my spinal column, they were pretty big and sometimes my back hurts in those areas. Will they just pop open someday or am I expected to live with them forever?
Welcome to ThisIsMS, Pinkkitty. First, take a DEEP breath.

I am quite sure that you are NOT a hypochondriac. You have very real symptoms and you are right to seek the cause of them.

Your doctor's explanation of the tiny ends of blood vessels breaking off due to extreme blood pressure was something I had NEVER heard of before. He seems to be quite creative!

To your other questions: This could be serious, but since your symptoms have been present for over a year, they are not acute and you seem to be handling the situation in a reasonable fashion. I do not think you "messed up by not taking action last year." With your questions about "3 blood cysts attached the spinal column" and if your back pain is significant or worrisome to you, I encourage you to seek a second opinion from a physician who specializes in back pain. I happen to think that back pain can often be due to the muscles.

I have never heard of blood cysts on the spine, and I have certainly never heard of such a thing "just popping open." This is not to say that it cannot happen – I have just never heard of such a thing.

Stay calm; you are dealing with this situation sensibly. We are here to answer your questions, to share our experiences, and to help in any way we can.

Re: What else could this be?

Posted: Tue Jul 30, 2013 7:11 pm
by Pinkkitty
Hi Lynda!

Thank you for your welcome and for your reply. I agree with you about my doctor. I have tried to do some research on what he said happened to my brain and I have not found anything. He also told me that he normally sees those type of lesions in much older people--like those 70and up. That made me feel pretty bad. I kept thinking all of these had happened because I smoked. I almost ended up with a blood cancer called Primary Essential Thrombocythemia because of smoking.

Anyway when I told the Oncologist what my Internist had said about the lesions on my brain he just looked very confused and didn't say anything. I remember thinking that was a strange reaction. Hopefully when I see a Neurologist I will get some good and clear answers!

Thank you once again!!