My 17 year old daughter recently had an MRI for a possible pituitary tumor. No tumor but a white focal area seen along the DAWSON'S FINGERS. I looked up Dawson's Fingers and found that basically that when Dawson's Fingers is seen on an MRI that a diagnosis of MS is not far behind. She has no outward symptoms other than her toes going numb and tingling twice in a few months, headaches and chronic fatigue. We saw a neurologist today and was told to since there was no outward symptoms to basically forget about it and come back in a year. I dont feel comfortable with this, i don't want her to progress without any treatment.
Please give me any sugesstions or thoughts you have on this. MS was really the last thing I would have ever thought since she has no syptoms. She did have two MRI's back in 2003 and 2004 because she had really bad migraines and there was a white focal spots but no Dawson's Fingers were seen.
Again any suggestions or thoughts would be great. Thanks

Is the tumor benign? I wanted to tell you that I was dx with cancer at 17,
Crohn's Disease at 20, and began having neurological sx @ 34.
I have had a wonderful life that includes 2 wonderful children, holding
elected office, a demanding career I love, lots of traveling, and grandchildren on the way!
I hope that gives you some comfort that even if she is dx with a serious illness she can still have a fullfilling life.

In regards to your question, I'm ignorant about Dawson's Fingers. Are the neurological sx you described associated with the tumor she has been dx with? Was the doctor you saw an MS specialist? If not find you one. Was the doctor that dismissed your concerns the doctor that ordered the MRI? If not talk to him about your concerns.

I pray for good health for your daughter.

I think Gigi misunderstood..there is no tumor, right?

I am sorry to hear about your DD's MS signs, at such a young age..

Your Doc is probably doing the right thing, since her SX are minimal and minor. There is no cure and the DMDs are meant to keep the MS Attacks/exacerbations at a minimum and only have a 35% efficasy and may have debilitating side effects for one so young and active.

Since all other possible Diseases/tumors have been eliminated and MS is not fatal, I suggest, as the Doc does, that your Daughter live her life to the fullest and forget about the MS unless or until it raises its ugly head again.

Love and Good wishes to you..

You're right. I did. Sorrry for the unnecessary background. Still I'm sorry you're daughter is going through this. As a mom I can't imagine how frightened you are.