Can anyone help with my MRI result - Can see Consultant until Friday

Hello Everyone,

My name is Fiona and I'm 44 years. I went for an MRI head scan last Tuesday and my Consultant's Secretary telephoned me Monday morning to say there were 'slight abnormalities'. His will discuss them with me on Friday and I have scrolled the internet but I am just confusing myself <easily done!!!!>I am in a state of total confusion - can't eat sleep etc. Knowledge is power!!!!

Can any of you folks out there offer any kind of hints, advice etc. I have two disabled children and my Husband works away from home.

Thank you so much - Here is my letter :-

Clinical History - Intermittent diplopia. Poor co-ordination. Paraesthesia in fingers. Possible MS.

MRI Head Standard ‘MS’ sequences. Subtle increased T2 and FLAIR signal in upper pons, extending into left cerebral peduncle <3 & 4-8 & 9>. scattered further areas of subcentimetre increased T2 and FLAIR signal in white matter of hemispheres <3& 4-11,12 & 13>. probable left basal ganglia VR space <3 & 4-10>, otherwise normal midline appearance. Major intracranial flow voids patent.

Conclusions Multiple subcentimetre areas of increased signal scattered through upper pons/left cerebral peduncle and white matter of cerebral hemispheres. Diagnosis remains unclear although could be demyelination.

Differential Diagnosis includes small vessel disease, vasculitis, non infective granulomatous or Lyme Disease. <No tic bites - so ruled that one out!!!>

Fiona

Thank you for your reply - What a great motto to live your life by. All best wishes Fx

Anna,

Thank you SO SO much for your SO informative reply.

I too noticed the prognosis for vasculitis and hope it is not so.

My Husband is a Doctor but has a final exam in three weeks so I am telling him everything is fine - I know don't say it.!!!LOL.

Can you request copies of your MRI's I did not know this?????

I too suspect MS - but am 'trying' to be positive.

I will post tomorrow after I have seen the Consultant.

With much love to you and kind wishes,

Fiona X
PS I always wanted a twin.!!!

Hi Fiona:

I am usually at the Lyme forum but popped in over there just to see what was going on and saw your post. I was having very strange neuro sysmptoms and was seen at UCSF MS center for possible early onset of MS. I had a brain MRI which was 20 small and scattered lesions not typical for MS. Also, had all the other tests...everything negative. They also tested for Lyme and it was negative too. Upon reviewing my MRI, my neuro asked me if I had had lyme disease.

I find it very interesting and encouraging (to me) that your possible diagnosis is Lyme disease.

Anyway, fast forward another six months, I drove myself to Igenex Labs in Palo Alto for a complete lyme panel testing. Igenex tests diferently than regular labs. Regular labs look for anitobodies which your body stops making after infected with Lyme long-term (or so I understand) whereas Igenex looks for dna of the lyme bacteria. Anyhow, I tested positive for Lyme plus a co-infection, started treamtent immediately and now, 9 months later am feeling SO MUCH better! I still have a ways to go because they retest me every three months but I am making progress.

You DO NOT HAVE TO REMEMBER a tick bite to be infected. The most dangerous ticks are the size of a poppy seed and many never notice that they've been bit or develope a rash.

Anyhow, you might want to look into this. If you have more questions, you should visit the Lyme forum. There are a lot of people over there with a lot of knowledge.

Carrie