Thanks so much for your reply Lynn. A hard time doesn't even scratch the surface really, but I'm tipping there are many others out there that completely understand that sentiment.

I'm at the stage now where my walking is affected, things that used to be easy aren't, I'm getting massively frustrated, and tonight when I went to put my daughter's clothes in the washing machine I threw them in the toilet. Oh the joys lol. At least they were already dirty I guess…..

I never thought I would be in the position where I hoped something would show up on a scan. But right now I pray it. I truly do. I just want to know what is causing all of this.

Thanks again for your message. Tis reassuring to know that people can understand what I am feeling. Bizarre as it might sound to some.

I think the monster that you know is never as frightening as the monster that you fear - especially in the night when everyone else is sound asleep and all you have are your thoughts. And if it is something other than MS this message is still the same.

I know that when I started going through all of this journey (in 2001) Motor Neurone Disorder was very topical, and I was so terrified, that a Dx of MS was almost a relief, although back then all I could find were very negative and very pessimistic accounts of the disease and its prognosis.

Once I got a Dx, I knew that although it may be debilitating, and perhaps sometimes painful, it likely wouldn't kill me. It may slow me down (which it has - but thankfully not too much yet - I still walk, and I can even dance), it may make me rethink my life and my priorities (which I have - and that is a good thing) it may make me re-think my life (but who doesn't as they approach middle age - I was Dx'd at 32 and I am 44 now). As a Mum, I had to become more creative in the way I spent 'quality time' with my kids (and now they are both incredible adults one at University, and one in Yr 12 and off to University next year).

Life is full of challenges, and this one is a doozey - but you live, learn, compensate and grow.

Hugs

Just wanted to add that even with a bunch of lesions showing up on MRI, symptoms do not necessarily reflect that.
The MS neuro that I have now received my brain MRI discs & spinal X-rays before my first consult with him, and he said that he was "...pleased, although surprised to see me walking into his office."

That was over two years ago and since then I have picked up a couple of new lesions in the brain and one of the prolapsed discs has collapsed further. There are 6 disc prolapses in my spine along with several bulges; secondary to falling a lot.

Yet, I am still ambulatory, and can walk well enough without a cane sometimes; although I generally use one, mostly for balance and to offset spasticity.

If your MRI confirms lesions, it may help provide a likely diagnosis, but it is not necessarily an indicator of your symptoms .
I hope that you get some answers and that you have a well educated and understanding neuro.

With love, Erika

Christobelle- glad to see you were able to post a image. Here's the closest slice I have to yours. Looks to be same Series too. Honestly yours looks better then mine to me in this Series. That center white appearing area grows with MS, Alzheimers & who knows what else.

Try other Series that show lesions better & start from top of head & go all the way down to brain stem.

Also compare space between brain & skull. Your image is too dark to tell but keep an eye out for brain shrinkage which also occurs with Alzheimers & others. My 1st post or so in thread shows brain shrinkage among one of the 3 people in scan I posted & also shows how center part grows.

Too much spinal fluid pressure in the head also causes major problems which gets corrected by installing a shunt/drain I believe.

Attached Thumbnails

 

Yay!!!!

I have finally figured out how to attach a picture to this (can't believe I took so long to look this up - anyone would think I was a man not wanting to ask for directions).

This is an old MRI, I have several more lesions now, in different areas, but this is the only one I have a CD for (my Neuro likes to keep them).

I might ask for another copy of the disk next time I have an MRI (will be hard to compare though, because this was on a 1.5 Tesla machine and now they have a 3T one.

Cheers

Attached Thumbnails

 

Thanks very much Eddie, will do.

Well done Lynn!

They are quite obvious aren't they?

Yes they are, and I have dozens of them.....but it all comes down to location, location. location.....

There are many people with only a couple of lesions who are significantly more disabled than me (mostly I don't even consider myself to have a disability - just something annoying that slows me down - sometimes a lot more than others).