Undiagnosed just got my MRI report and have questions
 

I am new to this board but have been reading posts for awhile. This is such a kind and caring community.

I have symptoms that lead me to suspect I have MS. Most notably I have imbalance-I sometimes walk like I'm drunk, and tingling of many body parts-legs and feet, arms and hands, face, buttocks and groin.

My neurologist ordered an MRI of brain and spine. The spine just shows early degenerative changes and reversal of the midcervical lordosis which is non specific. The brain MRI says I have 5 periventricular white matter signal abnormalities and 6 tiny juxtacortical signal abnormalities. Nonspecific white matter signal abnormalities are more prominent than expected for age.

My question is is a signal abnormality the same as a lesion?

Also do you have any advice of questions I should ask my neurologist when I see him tomorrow?

Thanks for your help.

Michele

Welcome! It could be lesions or just changes that reacted with the MRI. I am facing the same question from my MRI. I have (prolongation) nonspecific changes in the deep white matter of the splenium marginal to the corpus callosum. I have looked up where in the brain this is etc... But I have no idea if it means lesion.
I have vision changes that motivated an eye exam and then two follow ups, new glasses, and an eye/neuro referral for MRI has me waiting for that follow up to discuss a clinical correlation for MS.

I have not had weird symptoms for years or anything like I have read but then again I am 29? I have degenerative disc disease and hashimotos so I am sure some of the symptoms overlap. I have been feeling crazy episodes of fatigue and stiff neck, with head aches in my eyes too and thought it was thyroid related. So that apt is not until Sept... :( But I am starting to doubt thyroid involvement at this point.

Oopss. I also started a journal and I am writing dates of tests and dr. appts. The doctor I see etc...
From what I have been reading and watching on youtube diagnoses can take a while. Mostly you have to have more than one instance over time and space but it is different for everyone.
Research helps me kinda... lol so I have found this website and misconnect.org and have been watching educational stuff on youtube and a couple testimonials. There is a few channels where people do weekly updates on their journey with MS.

Welcome Blancaboo!:):hug:

Wouldn't ya just love it, if they'd give the reading of your MRI in simple
English or at least, in actual Medical terms, so we can Google it? grrrrrr.:rolleyes:

Yes it could be lesions and probably are. Let us know how your MRI reading
appt. goes. We are here for each other's support.:grouphug:

Thanks summerjco7. I will check out that site. I hope you and I get our answers soon.

Thanks SallyC. I have my fingers crossed that my neurologist gives me good information today.

welcome to NT,

i hope your appt goes well.
write down your Q's as you think of them. it's also a good idea to try and take someone with you for a 2nd pair of ears.

i also like to request a copy of the mri cd and report plus your dr's office note for your visit. start a medical file on yourself. it will come in very handy if you see other drs along the way. and, if the dictation is wrong in any way you can call the office to fix it.

let us know how you are. there is also something call the McDonald Criteria that drs follow in making an MS dx (diagnosis). you might consider looking it up for your information.

:confused:Well, my neurologist said I had no signs of MS in my MRI. When he was done telling me my results, I asked why I had signal abnormalities inconsistent with my age group. He then reread the report and said "Oh you do have a couple lesions that could be consistent with MS."

He now ordered MRI with contrast and started telling me a little bit about my options if I do get an MS diagnosis. He also said I may need a lumbar puncture.

I didn't leave feeling very confident in his ability to diagnose me.

He also did a nerve conduction study on my legs, and said the results were normal.

Thanks Judy. I appreciate the information. I am starting a file. It is already fat. I am also looking at the MacDonald criteria.

I would feel uneasy about that too... :/
See how the next apt goes and if you don't feel comfortable then switch.
Or at least that is what I would do.

I would definitely be proactive with this doc...and if you feel uncomfortable in time with this doc, look for one that specializes in MS if possible (I would wait until you are dxd).

DO keep a symptom journal with dates of onset of symptoms. Also keep that list of questions for your next appointment, and make sure you write down the answers. I always bring my husband with-I need that second set of ears, because I have processing problems and don't always hear what the doc says.

It takes time to get a dx, and it isn't always MS...it could be Lyme disease as well as other things that mimic MS.

Keep us up to date, and look us up to get info, support and occasional laughs...this is a great place!

i would follow thru with this dr since he is willing to run a few more tests.
IF you have an LP make sure it's done by a radiologist and is done under floroscopy. that's a machine that shows the dr where the needle is. i had one and it went very well. some people don't but i think a lot do. we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

after you've done what he wants consider getting a 2nd opinion. i am a strong advocate of the 2nd opinion when you're looking at getting a serious dx (diagnosis) or when you have a serious disease. it never hurts. especially if you are not certain of your current dr's expertise.

you can call your local MS society (1-800-FIGHT MS) and they'll send you info on MS and give you dr referrals. it's a start.

please keep us posted.