results are in and I am confused

71jules · Post by **71jules** » Wed May 06, 2009 1:22 am

Hi guys, well the results were given to me today telling me the MRI was clear but on reading the results this is what I find: A single small patchy area of hyperintensity is seen at the grey/white matter junction within the right frontal lobe just adjacent to the right frontal horn and another similar area of hyperintensity is seen just adjacent to the left frontal horn within the deep white matter.
Ok, how is that a clear MRI? Should I find a new Neuro? Has anybody got any advice please as I don't know what to do.

She is trying me on a drug to exclude a genetic disease which is highly unlikely called episodic ataxia, I don't believe for a second this is the cause but what the heck I will take the tablets.

Oh, I am exhausted over this and feel so so confused.

Please help guys if you can?

Thanks so much.

Hugs
Jules

robbie · Post by **robbie** » Wed May 06, 2009 5:29 am

i don't know if this helps Jules but when i had my first MRI done the doctor at St Mikes hospital in Toronto said he saw some hot spots on my brain but could not confirm ms and 16 years later here i am .

scorpion · Post by **scorpion** » Wed May 06, 2009 7:09 am

Hey Jules,

Did you ask your neuro the question you posed to us? I am asking because I would be interested to hear his/her reply. I know sometimes they say the areas that light up are in the wrong location, are age related, are caused by migranes , etc. If you have some extra cash laying around it never hurts to take your results to another neuro and ask their opionion (I did). In fact I would suggest it. Please keep us informed!!!

71jules · Post by **71jules** » Wed May 06, 2009 4:30 pm

Hi and thank you for your thoughts.

When the Neuro handed me the results it was folded over and she said it came back clear, it wasn't until we got to the car I was shocked when I read it and found what I did. I was frustrated to say the least and angry and upset. I have had this before when I have had tests, they say they're clear and when you check they are not at all.

I don't know what hyperintensity is but having it in two areas of the brain, I would like to know what it is. The symptoms I have are resembling MS strongly and in fact a person in the field explained to me the symptoms and why they are happening believing this was going to be a diagnosed MS person, me.
Please know I am not hoping of course for this diagnosis but if it is I need to know and I know the Neuro is barking up the wrong tree in regards to episodic ataxia, I don't get migraines or lot's of headaches.
She is doing an EEG I don't know if that will give any answers.
Just the other night I was paralysed for about five minutes from the middle of my legs down to my feet.

I will keep you all posted and I am strongly thinking of a new Neuro as I don't have a lot of faith in this one, I took a dislike to her the first time I met her due to her lack of bedside manner.

Thanks again.

Jules

cheerleader · Post by **cheerleader** » Wed May 06, 2009 4:38 pm

Hey Jules...
sorry this has been so frustrating.
Hyperintensities can be caused by so many things- depression, bi-polar disorder, and aging all create bright spots on MRI.
MS lesions are different, because the myelin is what is affected. Your neuro said it was "clear" for MS, because they look for lesions affecting myelin, which you don't have.
But if you are not happy with this neuro, you should always get a second opinion.
best to you-
cheer

scorpion · Post by **scorpion** » Wed May 06, 2009 8:06 pm

Jules,

I do not think you have MS. 5 minutes of paralysis is not consistent with MS. It just does not sound right! Does anyone agree???

71jules · Post by **71jules** » Wed May 06, 2009 9:13 pm

Hi Scorpian,

Have you read all my posts titled please help i am so scared?
My symptoms are so many and pointed to MS although the MRI has come up not showing lesions just the findings they did find which I am unsure of what that is.

It has just got so frustrating and interfering in everyday life and I am miserable with the symptoms I have.
I am booked in to see my family GP and go through all this with him and see if he feels a second opinion is worth while or anything else he may be able to suggest. I will ask whether another MRI in 6/12 months is worth doing also.

Thanks again Scorpian.

Jules

westwood · Post by **westwood** » Mon May 11, 2009 12:17 am

When I was sent into hospital, after having a big attack, ie very wobbly and walking very rigid. I had not been diagnosed and underwent lots of tests. My MRI came back clear and we were all flabbergasted, that is myself and my family. They then sent me for a spinal MRI and found a couple of lesions, one was thoracic if I remember. They wanted to do a lumbar puncture but I refused. It was all very chaotic that week of tests and the ups and downs. I was diagnosed with MS unfortunately. Prior to this I had be going to a Chiropractor who did xrays and told me I had central canal stenosis.
That was five years ago. Do you have to have lesions in your brain area to be DX. Mine was along my neck and back?

peekaboo · Post by **peekaboo** » Mon May 11, 2009 6:39 am

Hi jules...

westwood wrote

Do you have to have lesions in your brain area to be DX. Mine was along my neck and back

this is a good question, many ms'rs have lesions in the neck or spine.

on one of your threads you said your neuro said she wants you to see a ms specialist. This may not be a bad idea and can act as your second opinion. Neuro's have to be the jack of all trades for the mutlitude of neurological deseases and injuries. where a speicalist in ms should know the quirks of this desease and better to dx this desease.

Highaltitude hugs from 1/2 Northern Arizona USA 5500 ft. hgh

71jules · Post by **71jules** » Mon May 11, 2009 7:14 pm

Hi and thank you for your replies.

My MRI was only of the head and spine, not the neck I wonder if there are lesions on the neck then as my symptoms are so leaning towards MS diagnosis.
To have a GP, a Neuro, an MS support councillor believe it's MS is strong evidence that there is still a possibility along with all the symptoms.

Can you have lesions only on the neck and have speech, walking, pain, and others problems?

Very curious on any other thoughts.

Take care.

Jules

cheerleader · Post by **cheerleader** » Mon May 11, 2009 7:36 pm

Jules...
It's called the "cervical spine" on your MRI report. The doctors don't call it the "neck". They did your whole CNS. Go see another doc if you're still concerned.
best,
AC

catfreak · Post by **catfreak** » Mon May 11, 2009 7:48 pm

Hey Jules!

I can't answer the question. I have only had 1 MRI of spine but no lesions there. I would think the would start spine MRI where brain MRI ended, but, I am not sure.

Hope you are feeling OK and will get some answers soon. I have been having worse speech and word finding skills lately as well as some tingling and numbness on my face. These are just the weirdest sensations ever.

On a fun note I went and got my Mom at the hospital Saturday and we went and had our hair cut. I got a new do!!!

Still fooling with it to try figure out how to fix it. Then Sunday I get her out for about 6 hours for a Mothers Day dinner at my brothers house. Then she called me this morning and said that they think she is able to go home. So I went and go her today and she is out of the hospital completely. She stayed at my house until my niece came this afternoon to take her to her home about 25 miles away. She was very happy to be going home.

She has been in the 2 hospitals since April 3rd.

Hugs to my mate in Oz!!

Cat

71jules · Post by **71jules** » Sat May 16, 2009 1:54 am

Hi again

Thanks to everyone for your replies soz it took so long to get back, I didn't get an email telling me there were replies.

Catfreak, glad to hear you had a positive and enjoyed having your hair done. I had mine done today and am getting a bright red colour done with blonde foils in a couple of weeks.

I have posted under my other post about the Diamox I was trialled on.

I am going to look for another Neuro as well as stick to the current one for now.

Still so

with all this.

Will stay in touch.

Jules

71jules · Post by **71jules** » Wed May 27, 2009 8:04 pm

Hi still in the loop here on this site.

Have posted under jules

Take care
Hugs

Jules