New MRI finding of Dawson's Fingers
 

My 17 year old daughter recently had an MRI for a possible pituitary tumor. No tumor was seen but there was a white focal finding that stated lesions along Dawson's Fingers. I looked up Dawson's fingers and found that normally when Dawson's Fingers are found on an MRI MS is normally a diaganosis. We went to a neurologist today and was told basically told to forget about it and move on.

I don't really feel comfortable with this and would like to know if anyone has any thoughts on this. She has no outward symptoms of MS, other than some tingling of the toes that have gone numb and chronic fatigue. Not sure what I should , please give me any advice you might have.

I am brand new here and certainly don't have any 'street cred' yet, but I spotted your message and I can certainly tell that you are worried and concerned about your daughter and what to do next.

There are many here who know much more about the details than I do, but I personally hope you do not "just forget about it" - follow your instincts.

I had an MRI in 2007 for some long-lost reason and the results came back stating a lot of medical mumbo-jumbo with the phrase DAWSON'S FINGERS right in the middle. The doctor immediately referred me to a neurologist who told me to just wait and see - much like what your doctor has told you. I took that advice since I was dealing with two other health conditions and I didn't know any better.

I now have my confirmed dx after 4 years and numerous episodes of cognitive disfunction and other various MS-related problems. I personally regret not finding a Neurologist specializing in MS and pursuing the dx more aggressively. I find it easy to handle knowing what I have - NOT knowing and having to wonder about every little hiccup in my health has been much more depressing than finding a label for what's wrong and being able to do something about it.

Good luck to you and your daughter in whatever you decide. In all likelihood, the doctor you have now is 100% correct and there is nothing to worry about, but wouldn't you feel better getting a second opinion about that, too?

First, Breathe. Just breathe. its stressful, its hard to swallow all of it at once, and you ARE going to find a truck load of dismissive or rude MDs who want no more than to push you out of their office, or have you believe that you or your child are being over reactive about this. Now, if it was THEIR child...

#1 there are more than 100 diseases that can mimic MS, including the lesions in the brain. The MDs normally start out on a hunt and start ruling out the most commonly proven things. Vitamin D def. B12 def, iron, zinc over load and the like. If none of that is out of line, they think Lyme, lupus, sjoghrens and so on. All of those can be proven or disproven by blood or other tests. Once they run out of things they can test for they land with a list of about 10 or so. Devics, MS...Alot of times if a patient has very few symptoms they will dismiss you and try to allow time to unfold so they can see if this will go away on its own, or bloom into something else.

Best advice. Get to an MS center. You may have to travel to one, and even if you only use them for a diagnosis and then use a local neurologist for care, its WORTH IT! Most every state has one, and if you cannot find one, tell us, and we will find one for you. They are the pros! they do this stuff, day and night. They know one lesions from another. They know exactly what this lesion is doing on that part of the brain, and what affect it will have on her course.

NEVER let an MD be dismissive of that little voice in side you. Sit them down and say "ya know, this is scary! its bugging me, and we want to know what is wrong with our child! Its our hope that you will slow down, speak english, and be helpful. If you feel you dont have answers or this is above you, tell me! refer me! dismiss my case to a new MD, but dont brush us off."

Keep a journal or a diary of her symptoms. You can use a wall calendar and write something each day in the box. "good day!" or "tingle toes x 2 hours left side only" but write something! Keep copies of ALL of her medical records. Trust me, they dont always transfer all of them when you are ready to move on. Its your job to make sure that your papers are correct and complete. If you find errors speak to the hospital to have stuff either removed or added to your file.

Eat better! Many folks find going gluten free provides dramatic relief, and others find it does nothing for them. At the very least, you should be cutting out artificial sugars, preservative, high fructose corn syrup and MSG. Many folks find they react badly to such things. Other folks would fight to the death about diet soda, but even a trial off of it to see if it changes her symptoms is worth it.

Then come back here, and talk to us. We are the folks that have done this, lived this, suffered thru this. NONE of us wants your daughter to have MS, but we also dont want her to be dismissed while they figure this out.

Place your child on Vitamin D. My MD reccomends at least 2000 IU per day. D3 is what you are looking for. With all of the sunscreens and genetically modified foods we are really lacking in vit D and we find those that live further away from the equator trigger MS faster than those that dont. With a multi vitamin and Vit D3 with a fish oil tab to help calm inflammation you give yourself and your child a fighting chance.

Hang in there! :hug:

as always i couldn't have said it better than dej.
but i wanted to welcome you to NT.
glad you found us.

you might also consider getting medically organized. start to keep a medical file on your dd. get copies of test reports and copies of mri's. this may be needed should she see any other dr. 2nd opinions are a good thing.

also, you may find something you consider inaccurate in a drs report and ask them to change it in the chart, i have.

keep us posted. as dej said we've all been where you are now.

Hello brittni's mom94 and welcome to NeuroTalk.

The only thing that causes Dawson's Fingers is MS. I would not be impressed with a Neurologist who told me to forget about it and move on, especially if it was my daughter. I would suggest you get a copy of her medical records, tests and MRI and get a second opinion.

A second opinion, as suggested above, is always a good idea and some Docs think you should start on a DMD right away. I just agree with your first Doc.

Welcome to NeuroTalk..:)

Hi,
Welcome to NT.
I was told exactly the same thing they told your DD. Live life and don't worry. That was 30 years ago, what else could they say? But you know, it is true. She may never have another attack ever. Some people live to a ripe old age and never have any more problems. It was just the lesions in the brain and a few minor symptoms, that may go away.

How is your DD doing? Is she upset? Why were they doing the MRI looking for that pituitary tumor? Is she diabetic, have growth problems, female problems? There are so many diseases/disorders out there. I am sure they will find out what her problem is soon enough.

Early treatment for MS has not been proven to be worse than later treatment, or even none at all. She is young, if she is not having other problems then give her time to be a teenager, graduate, go to college maybe.

I wish her well. Even with the lesions she could be fine. Nice to meet you and good luck. :)