This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Knowledge & Support Community

Hello Everyone,

I am a female and am 49 years old. For the last 14 months, I've hit just about every MS symptom known to mankind minus eye issues. Luckily, (I think) I can see everything when I fall.

I have gone through 6 MRI's in one year: 3 on my brain, 2 on my cervical spine and one total spine. Most of these MRI's were horrendous and very difficult to read, however, the last brain MRI I had just a few weeks ago, was much clearer than the others.

Over the last year I have a 1001 blood tests all to eliminate any diseases and/or illnesses which can cause my variety of symptoms, such as lupus, lyme, RA, and blah blah blah. Recently, I've given another 8 tubes of blood to test for blood clotting disorders "just in case". Every thing has been within normal limits except my Vitamin D which is 7 and my hemoglobin which is higher than normal because I smoke. I know.

Anyhow, I just received my latest MRI report and have not heard back from my neurologist yet. I'm hoping he will contact me within maybe the next two weeks. Yet, after 14 months, I'm tired of tests, I'm tired of giving tube after tube of blood, I'm tired of taking Xanax for MRI's and I'm tired of waiting for an answer. Finally, I'm just tired.

So if anybody here can read over this MRI report and perhaps explain it to me in layman terms, I would truly appreciate it, more than you'll ever know.

I thank you so much.

Hyperintense T2/FLAIR foci are seen in the right basal ganglia, right posterior limb of internal capsule/basal ganglia. A few scattered foci of increased T2/FLAIR signal are also seen in the left globus pallidus and in the left posterior limb of internal capsule region.Trace amounts of right mastoid fluid are seen.

IMPRESSIONS:
Nonspecific areas of T2/FLAIR signal abnormality are seen in the bilateral basal ganglia/posterior limb of internal capsule.

Once again, I thank you for any and all help you give me.

PaddyCakes wrote:I am a female and am 49 years old. For the last 14 months, I've hit just about every MS symptom known to mankind minus eye issues. Luckily, (I think) I can see everything when I fall.

I have gone through 6 MRI's in one year: 3 on my brain, 2 on my cervical spine and one total spine. Most of these MRI's were horrendous and very difficult to read, however, the last brain MRI I had just a few weeks ago, was much clearer than the others.

Over the last year I have a 1001 blood tests all to eliminate any diseases and/or illnesses which can cause my variety of symptoms, such as lupus, lyme, RA, and blah blah blah. Recently, I've given another 8 tubes of blood to test for blood clotting disorders "just in case". Every thing has been within normal limits except my Vitamin D which is 7 and my hemoglobin which is higher than normal because I smoke. I know.

Anyhow, I just received my latest MRI report and have not heard back from my neurologist yet. I'm hoping he will contact me within maybe the next two weeks. Yet, after 14 months, I'm tired of tests, I'm tired of giving tube after tube of blood, I'm tired of taking Xanax for MRI's and I'm tired of waiting for an answer. Finally, I'm just tired.

So if anybody here can read over this MRI report and perhaps explain it to me in layman terms, I would truly appreciate it, more than you'll ever know.

I thank you so much.

Hyperintense T2/FLAIR foci are seen in the right basal ganglia, right posterior limb of internal capsule/basal ganglia. A few scattered foci of increased T2/FLAIR signal are also seen in the left globus pallidus and in the left posterior limb of internal capsule region.Trace amounts of right mastoid fluid are seen.

IMPRESSIONS:
Nonspecific areas of T2/FLAIR signal abnormality are seen in the bilateral basal ganglia/posterior limb of internal capsule.

Once again, I thank you for any and all help you give me.

Welcome to ThisIsMS, PaddyCakes.

I have no medical background and I cannot help you with an explanation of your MRI report.

But I am EXTREMELY DISTURBED by your vitamin D level of 7 (ng/mL is the unit of measurement, I assume). Be aware that vitamin D deficiency can cause neurological symptoms (among other systems). PLEASE do some research on vitamin D. I suggest you start by reading through http://www.GrassrootsHealth.net and view the videos there.

The Natural Approach subforum here at ThisIsMS (http://www.thisisms.com/forum/natural-approach-f27/) has many threads on the subject of vitamin D.

You will also find much recent information on the "Coimbra High-Dose Vitamin D Protocol" being done in Brazil (http://www.thisisms.com/forum/coimbra-h ... tocol-f57/)

Please see your GP as soon as possible and discuss your extremely low vitamin D levels.

LyndaCarol,

Thank you so much for your reply. Yes, the low Vitamin D was a major concern and I have been taking 5000u a day for the past 8 months. My level is now at 26, which is still low but a bit less alarming. I will read the links you provided and thank you for posting them.

As of right now, I'm scheduled for a spinal tap next week, and I'm pretty sure this will be the last medical test I will approve getting done. If 4 neurologists, 2 family doctors and an internist can't figure it out, then so be it.

I just know it's not in my head, well not literally.

Thank you again. Your help is much appreciated.

Hi! Sorry I cannot offer any help, just wanted to say how much your story sounds like mine. I completely understand how you say you are just tired. The unknown is such a scary place. Sending you strength and luck, I hope the spinal tap brings you some answers x

Hi,

I know you say they have done everything but did they test you for EBV (even if it not currently active) and did they test you for NMDA antibodies?

Normally I don't comment on Vit D but remember the Vitamin D receptors (actually there are 3) are thyroid like receptors that work in a complex controlled by the retinoid X receptor. The RXR efficacy can be improved by just drinking a glass of fresh carrot juice each day. (not bottled varieties)

If you make the complex work better that wont be a bad thing.

Regards,

Kelly73 wrote:Hi! Sorry I cannot offer any help, just wanted to say how much your story sounds like mine. I completely understand how you say you are just tired. The unknown is such a scary place. Sending you strength and luck, I hope the spinal tap brings you some answers x

Thank you, Kelly! I hope you find the answers too! Be well!

Scott1 wrote:Hi,

I know you say they have done everything but did they test you for EBV (even if it not currently active) and did they test you for NMDA antibodies?

Normally I don't comment on Vit D but remember the Vitamin D receptors (actually there are 3) are thyroid like receptors that work in a complex controlled by the retinoid X receptor. The RXR efficacy can be improved by just drinking a glass of fresh carrot juice each day. (not bottled varieties)

If you make the complex work better that wont be a bad thing.

Regards,

Hi,

It's weird you mention EBV because I actually had that when I was younger, like teen years. I haven't been tested for it though since then, except when I had it. I honestly didn't even think to mention this to my current neurologists since I had it so long ago. Is this something I should I do?

The other NMDA bodies I'm not sure about. I will take a look at the slew of blood tests I did have and will check. I do not like carrots but am willing to give a drink a try once a day if it makes me feel any better.

Thank you so much, Scott!

Hi,

EBV doesn't mean MS but it is often implicated and one stream of thought gives it a central role. It is also implicated in chronic fatigue, a range of illnesses and some cancers in certain racial groupings.

You probably don't have NMDA antibodies but they should check and probably refer you to a hospital/clinic that has expertise if you do.

You may find something useful or something you identify with in the first page of this post. http://www.thisisms.com/forum/regimens- ... 24019.html

Sorry its so wordy.

Regards.

Scott1 wrote:Hi,

EBV doesn't mean MS but it is often implicated and one stream of thought gives it a central role. It is also implicated in chronic fatigue, a range of illnesses and some cancers in certain racial groupings.

You probably don't have NMDA antibodies but they should check and probably refer you to a hospital/clinic that has expertise if you do.

You may find something useful or something you identify with in the first page of this post. http://www.thisisms.com/forum/regimens- ... 24019.html

Sorry its so wordy.

Regards.

Thank you, Scott! I will take a look. I appreciate your time very much.