Merc100
07-23-2004, 07:33 PM
I previously posted a topic in this section named "Body Numb" .... I just had the doctor call me and tell me my head MRI showed that I had 5 white spots on my brain. He said alot of normal people has 4-5 spots on his head and not have MS.... But again my body is still numb and I have 5 spots on my head. He is going to send me for a MRI on my back to see if there is anything further he can see. Does any of this make sense to any of you? Should I be concerned and is MS that bad worse case?
Cheers,
Dean
Cheers,
Dean
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Jewel2
07-23-2004, 09:00 PM
Hi Dean,
To get a diagnosis of MS there is a set of criteria that doctors try to follow. It can include MRI's, clinical symptoms, LP, and VEP's in different combinations. Your doc is right about spots being in healthy people's brains. The spots can be caused by age, migraines and other things. The location of the spots in the brain can be telling. If I were you I would get the radiology report that was done on your MRI's. Doctors sometimes summarize things differently than the radiologist. I do think it's good he's checking for lesions in your spine as well.
Except in very rare cases, MS is not a death sentence. Yes, it can alter your life in many ways if you have a bad case, but many cases of MS can be mild with a very slow decline in health. My mom has had MS for about 16 years and nobody outside the family would know it. Her worst symptoms are tingly, restless legs and fatigue. She's doing pretty well, though.
MS is very unpredictable, so it's useless to worry about what the future holds. If in fact you do have MS, your best use of energy is to research what is helping MS patients maintain their health and vitality, and keeping a positive attitude.
I really hope this is a false alarm for you and there is no MS in your body, but if so, we're here for you!
Take care,
Julie
To get a diagnosis of MS there is a set of criteria that doctors try to follow. It can include MRI's, clinical symptoms, LP, and VEP's in different combinations. Your doc is right about spots being in healthy people's brains. The spots can be caused by age, migraines and other things. The location of the spots in the brain can be telling. If I were you I would get the radiology report that was done on your MRI's. Doctors sometimes summarize things differently than the radiologist. I do think it's good he's checking for lesions in your spine as well.
Except in very rare cases, MS is not a death sentence. Yes, it can alter your life in many ways if you have a bad case, but many cases of MS can be mild with a very slow decline in health. My mom has had MS for about 16 years and nobody outside the family would know it. Her worst symptoms are tingly, restless legs and fatigue. She's doing pretty well, though.
MS is very unpredictable, so it's useless to worry about what the future holds. If in fact you do have MS, your best use of energy is to research what is helping MS patients maintain their health and vitality, and keeping a positive attitude.
I really hope this is a false alarm for you and there is no MS in your body, but if so, we're here for you!
Take care,
Julie
Sampy123
07-24-2004, 03:48 PM
Dean,
Julie is right. No need to panic. White spots in the brain are very common. I have 3 and I do not have MS. The numbness can come from any number of places. Your dr. will probably have you repeat the brain MRI in 3 months. This is to see if more spots appear, or if they have moved across the brain - kind of like clouds in the sky. It there are more spots, or they have moved, your dr. will probably want to do a spinal tap (lumbar puncture) to confirm or rule out MS. Wishing you the best possible outcome. Keep us posted.
Shari
Julie is right. No need to panic. White spots in the brain are very common. I have 3 and I do not have MS. The numbness can come from any number of places. Your dr. will probably have you repeat the brain MRI in 3 months. This is to see if more spots appear, or if they have moved across the brain - kind of like clouds in the sky. It there are more spots, or they have moved, your dr. will probably want to do a spinal tap (lumbar puncture) to confirm or rule out MS. Wishing you the best possible outcome. Keep us posted.
Shari
jean b
07-25-2004, 10:28 AM
Dean,
Julie seems to know best. I only have two spots as of right now. (not diagnosed with ms) You can also get spots from hitting your head. My doctor was fine with the spots but did not like the results of the NES test he did. (I think thats what it is called) They see how fast the your brain gets the stimuli- mine came back abnormal -there was a slowing. My doctor is sending me for another MRI- says they should be four months apart. Good Luck
Julie seems to know best. I only have two spots as of right now. (not diagnosed with ms) You can also get spots from hitting your head. My doctor was fine with the spots but did not like the results of the NES test he did. (I think thats what it is called) They see how fast the your brain gets the stimuli- mine came back abnormal -there was a slowing. My doctor is sending me for another MRI- says they should be four months apart. Good Luck
Sampy123
07-25-2004, 01:33 PM
And just to respond to that last post, along with the brain lesions, I too had significant slowing of the nerve signals from the brain to the extremeties, and still, I was found NOT to have MS. I was diagnosed with APLS - another autoimmune disease that can cause numbness and tingling. Many things mimic MS and treatment varies greatly from one to another, so getting the proper diagnosis is crucial. A spinal tap would be able to reveal if there was any type of demylenation, which could be indicative of MS. Hope this helps.
Shari
Shari
Merc100
07-25-2004, 09:07 PM
Thank you all for responding to my post.
This is my third epoiside in 4 months of numbness. The doctor said the inflamation (white spots) could be caused by something like MS or viral infection. My symtoms appeared after a ruptured appendix . that was gangrene. 2 days after released from the hospital my laft hand left tingly/numb. This lasted only 4 days then disappeared. 10 days after that episode my left arm and left foot went numb and tingley, then spread eventually over 48 hours to my whole left body. Doctor said it was nothing.
This last episide apeared after a stomach inflamation of my stomach... The doctor called it gasteritious. I am still on the 6 week prescription medication for it. So viral infection possible???
Another thing I had a fractured skull with blood clot at the base of my brain 6 years ago. I got bells palsy from it on the left side of my face. It only recoved approx 75% and not full strengh. But It is better than nothing so I am tickled pink that is did come back.
I also use to have migranes when I was young... So apparently fromn what I read alot of things can make you have white spots... But what could cause these episodes of tingley/numbness?
Does anyone have any thoughts on tooth fillings that are mercury? I have 6 mercury fillings since I was young and a gold crown.. I know this is not suppose to be good and some counties already banned the use.
thanks
Dean aka Merc100
This is my third epoiside in 4 months of numbness. The doctor said the inflamation (white spots) could be caused by something like MS or viral infection. My symtoms appeared after a ruptured appendix . that was gangrene. 2 days after released from the hospital my laft hand left tingly/numb. This lasted only 4 days then disappeared. 10 days after that episode my left arm and left foot went numb and tingley, then spread eventually over 48 hours to my whole left body. Doctor said it was nothing.
This last episide apeared after a stomach inflamation of my stomach... The doctor called it gasteritious. I am still on the 6 week prescription medication for it. So viral infection possible???
Another thing I had a fractured skull with blood clot at the base of my brain 6 years ago. I got bells palsy from it on the left side of my face. It only recoved approx 75% and not full strengh. But It is better than nothing so I am tickled pink that is did come back.
I also use to have migranes when I was young... So apparently fromn what I read alot of things can make you have white spots... But what could cause these episodes of tingley/numbness?
Does anyone have any thoughts on tooth fillings that are mercury? I have 6 mercury fillings since I was young and a gold crown.. I know this is not suppose to be good and some counties already banned the use.
thanks
Dean aka Merc100
jean b
07-25-2004, 10:53 PM
Shari-
If you don't mind me asking- what does APLS stand for? I have not been diagnosed yet and I'm not sure it would be ms- I only have two spots and go numb here and there with only one major episode of the side of my face going numb. Of course I'm being checked but i'd like to research the APLS. Thanks-all this stuff makes you go crazy :dizzy:
If you don't mind me asking- what does APLS stand for? I have not been diagnosed yet and I'm not sure it would be ms- I only have two spots and go numb here and there with only one major episode of the side of my face going numb. Of course I'm being checked but i'd like to research the APLS. Thanks-all this stuff makes you go crazy :dizzy:
Merc100
07-26-2004, 05:23 PM
Thank you all for responding to my post.
This is my third epoiside in 4 months of numbness. The doctor said the inflamation (white spots) could be caused by something like MS or viral infection. My symtoms appeared after a ruptured appendix . that was gangrene. 2 days after released from the hospital my laft hand left tingly/numb. This lasted only 4 days then disappeared. 10 days after that episode my left arm and left foot went numb and tingley, then spread eventually over 48 hours to my whole left body. Doctor said it was nothing.
This last episide apeared after a stomach inflamation of my stomach... The doctor called it gasteritious. I am still on the 6 week prescription medication for it. So viral infection possible???
Another thing I had a fractured skull with blood clot at the base of my brain 6 years ago. I got bells palsy from it on the left side of my face. It only recoved approx 75% and not full strengh. But It is better than nothing so I am tickled pink that is did come back.
I also use to have migranes when I was young... So apparently fromn what I read alot of things can make you have white spots... But what could cause these episodes of tingley/numbness?
Does anyone have any thoughts on tooth fillings that are mercury? I have 6 mercury fillings since I was young and a gold crown.. I know this is not suppose to be good and some counties already banned the use.
thanks
Dean aka Merc100
This is my third epoiside in 4 months of numbness. The doctor said the inflamation (white spots) could be caused by something like MS or viral infection. My symtoms appeared after a ruptured appendix . that was gangrene. 2 days after released from the hospital my laft hand left tingly/numb. This lasted only 4 days then disappeared. 10 days after that episode my left arm and left foot went numb and tingley, then spread eventually over 48 hours to my whole left body. Doctor said it was nothing.
This last episide apeared after a stomach inflamation of my stomach... The doctor called it gasteritious. I am still on the 6 week prescription medication for it. So viral infection possible???
Another thing I had a fractured skull with blood clot at the base of my brain 6 years ago. I got bells palsy from it on the left side of my face. It only recoved approx 75% and not full strengh. But It is better than nothing so I am tickled pink that is did come back.
I also use to have migranes when I was young... So apparently fromn what I read alot of things can make you have white spots... But what could cause these episodes of tingley/numbness?
Does anyone have any thoughts on tooth fillings that are mercury? I have 6 mercury fillings since I was young and a gold crown.. I know this is not suppose to be good and some counties already banned the use.
thanks
Dean aka Merc100
Jewel2
07-26-2004, 08:00 PM
Hi Dean,
Yours might be a difficult case to sort out because of your medical history. I would like to point out that MS often presents after a stress on the body. Your appendix trauma would certainly qualify! But, like you said, it could be the infection. :confused:
Hang in there and keep pursuing the truth!
Take care,
Julie
Yours might be a difficult case to sort out because of your medical history. I would like to point out that MS often presents after a stress on the body. Your appendix trauma would certainly qualify! But, like you said, it could be the infection. :confused:
Hang in there and keep pursuing the truth!
Take care,
Julie
Sampy123
07-27-2004, 10:26 AM
Jean B,
Just saw your post, I was away for a few days. APLS stands for Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome. It's also known as Hughes Syndrome or Sticky Blood. When the blood is thick, it doesn't circulate properly, hence the need for blood thinners. Causes MS-type symptoms, including numbness, tingling, incapacitating flares that last for weeks or longer, headaches/migraines, vertigo, joint pain, fatigue, disorientation, seizures, etc. Also presents with brain lesions and delayed nerve responses. Not everyone with this disease experiences all of these symptoms. Women usually find out they have APLS after having had a miscarriage. Easy diagnosis is by bloodtest. If left unteated, can cause embolisms, DVTs and strokes. Ironically, all that's needed to keep this in check is lifelong blood thinners and it's amazing how fast the symptoms disappear. I know of several people who have this, but were first diagnosed with MS. I post on this board just to get the word out to others who may be misdiagnosed. For those who are interested, the tests for this include Anticardiolipin Antibodies and a Lupus Anticoagulant (fyi: this test has nothing to do with lupus). Hope this helps.
Shari
Just saw your post, I was away for a few days. APLS stands for Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome. It's also known as Hughes Syndrome or Sticky Blood. When the blood is thick, it doesn't circulate properly, hence the need for blood thinners. Causes MS-type symptoms, including numbness, tingling, incapacitating flares that last for weeks or longer, headaches/migraines, vertigo, joint pain, fatigue, disorientation, seizures, etc. Also presents with brain lesions and delayed nerve responses. Not everyone with this disease experiences all of these symptoms. Women usually find out they have APLS after having had a miscarriage. Easy diagnosis is by bloodtest. If left unteated, can cause embolisms, DVTs and strokes. Ironically, all that's needed to keep this in check is lifelong blood thinners and it's amazing how fast the symptoms disappear. I know of several people who have this, but were first diagnosed with MS. I post on this board just to get the word out to others who may be misdiagnosed. For those who are interested, the tests for this include Anticardiolipin Antibodies and a Lupus Anticoagulant (fyi: this test has nothing to do with lupus). Hope this helps.
Shari
Merc100
12-19-2004, 01:23 AM
Could this casue the L'Hermittes sign as well? cramping and facial twitching? .. .so far this is good news... But i am just wondering about these questions?
accudata
12-19-2004, 03:36 PM
This is just personal experience, but I think that I would pursuit it in more depth. I have had a vsion problem since birth. Since years ago, 3 months after the birth of my 4 child, I developed double vision. MD told me to wait and see until I quit breast feeding to see if it goes away after quitting breast feeding. AFter my fifth child double vision came back and has never went away. Shortly after it came back for the second time, 2003 I had an MRI done and radiologist suspected MS. Sent to a neurologist, and he said that radiologist didn't know what he was talking about - my brain is fine. No other symptoms - no MS. Time went on- now 2004. Had a stressful period and on top of the double vision got tingling of my arms. Shooting pain from my head down my back like a hot poker. Neck pain, and then tingling and numbeness on abdomen and even now my legs. Went to see my primary sent me for another MRI. There were basically no changes but sent me to another neuro for a thorough exam. She looked at MRI and said I agree with the first neuro. Nothing significant here. I just think you have a pinched nerve. Did EMGs no pinched nerves. Had spinal tap done. DID show MS. I only regret that I should have done it sooner. Perhaps I could have eliminated this episode with a better diet. Now second neuro says lesions are probably on neck and back instead of brain. The spinal tap wasn't so bad. I drank lots of caffeine and made certain that I wasn't dehydrated and drank lots when I got home, laid down as per instructions and I felt fine. Just slightly tired like I didn't get enough sleep but basically took it a little easy. Don't be afraid to be aggressive. I wasn't because I didn't have any other symptoms other than vision problems and I regret it.