NeuroTalk Support Groups - New member - MRI indicates possible MS

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- - New member - MRI indicates possible MS (https://www.neurotalk.org/multiple-sclerosis/173875-mri-indicates-ms.html)

Quote:

Originally Posted by bowdowntobri (Post 901001)

Hello everyone. My name's Sabrina and I posted this yesterday in the new member welcome forum and then realized that it was probably not the best place for it.

I'm a 26 year old female grad student in psychology. I few weeks ago I participated in an MRI study because my friend was running it and they were going to pay me. I got a picture of my brain - so cool for nerd like me!

Anyway, flash forward to this Wednesday (7/25). I received a call from the student health center because they found something weird on the MRI and wanted me to come in to talk about it. After all the mumbo jumbo about how the MRI was just for research and not for diagnostics, I shouldn't take it as fact, ect., they said that the study neuroradiologist found "innumerable subcortical and deep white matter hyper intensities extending superiorly into centrum semiovale consistent with demyelinating process such as MS."

So I have a referral now to a neurologist to get another brain MRI with and without contrast to see if that can either confirm the findings or figure out what is going on. As far as I can tell, I have no discernible symptoms that are out of the ordinary for me or that are indicative of a "flare up" (from what I can tell).

So what do you guys think is going on? What sort of questions should I be asking the neurologist about? Logical next steps for me? I appreciate any opinions!

BTW, I don't think I ever responded to your initial questions. The description of your MRI sounds exactly like mine did...high intensity white matter spots. As Dejibo said, that can describe any number of diseases including demyelinating types like MS, or other things like small vessel disease. It isn't uncommon to have lesions without symptoms. I had an initial episode of hearing loss and at that time I had 2 lesions. Since that time, over the course of about 7 years, my lesion count has jumped to 3, then 7, and now around 15, all without any further events that I would recognize as a "flare". I have a few things now like increased sensitivity to excess heat, and I think I am slightly more forgetful, that could be MS symptoms, but that could just be me getting old too.

So go in with an open mind and understand that diagnosing MS is very much a process of elimination where other things are ruled out. There is also a subcategory of MS unofficially referred to as benign MS, for people who have very few symptoms and who don't progress very rapidly. I would put myself in that category despite my increased lesion count, because the lesions so far have not led to any flares or increased disability.

Good Luck!

Well it has been a few weeks now, but I finally heard back from the neurology clinic I was referred to and have an appointment at the end of September. I hate just sitting around waiting for answers, but it seems like there might be a lot of that in my future...

Quote:

Originally Posted by bowdowntobri (Post 905461)

Welcome to the club...not...:D :hug:

Hi .. I can't remember if your MRI was done with "contrast"...
also how are you feeling..?

Hi Sabrina, it sounds to me as though you're approaching this in a good way, gathering lots of information, not freaking out, etc. You'll hear lots of opinions, stories, suggestions...and you'll probably we weighing them and sifting through.

If it DOES turn out to be MS (or any of the other options), catching it before you experience any symptoms has to be a good thing.

I hope you stick around and keep us updated. You're part of the community now, and we're INVESTED!

No carbreezy, my initial mri was not with contrast because it was just supposed to be for a research study. They did, however, recommend that I get another one with contrast this time around. As far as how I'm feeling - not so great. I've been exhausted and been having crazy headaches for the past few days. I'm gonna just say that it is stress because school is starting back up this week and I have a lot to get ready for the new class I'm teaching. Plus I like stress better than any other explanation :)

I did find out that I am seeing the director of the MS clinic I was referred to, so that makes me feel better than seeing a resident, which can happen in a research hospital. I've been reading some of his papers (because I'm a nerd haha) so hopefully we can have a good talk.

And yes Blessings, I'm sticking around. It is nice to bounce ideas off others and it is easier to have grounded people to talk to rather than my friends who are just freaking out. Not helpful, although I do appreciate their concern.

Welcome to the gang! Hope you are diagnosed as having nothing of significance, but if you do - you will find we tend to be a bit goofy, extremeley caring and often full of helpful tips & latest knowledge -in a an easily accessible place.

Plus- we are all extremely good looking :D

FINALLY going in to see the neuro tomorrow. At this point I'm pretty excited to see what he has to say and figure out where I go from here!

Just keep an open mind and know that you don't have to make any decisions on medications or treatments immediately. Give yourself time to absorb what you're being told. Research it and ask questions. Don't let them hurry you out......you're paying them for their expertise. You're the boss in this arena. I hope things go well for you. :) Be sure to post back and give us an update.

Great Bow, let us know how it goes. :hug: