I went to the emergency room 3 weeks ago with numbness that started in the morning in both arms. That lasted a couple hours. It came back that night only in my left arm. Being a recipient of 5 cardiac stents, I immediately thought about heart problems. I went to emergency and they admitted me. They were testing usual heart related areas. I then realized some of the tests were for stroke. They mentioned TIA's (mini stroke), but they are very hard to diagnose. I was referred to my cardiologist and and gp. Cardiologist didn't believe it was heart related, but, ordered an ultrasound of my carotids. They showed minimal blockage. GP ordered an MRI to check on TIA and the tingling and numbness, not mentioning anything on the order about MS, even though I told him about other things that were going on since the stay in the hospital. I had eye pain, shaking, tingling on the back of my neck, blurriness in my eyes, fatigue. All of these are off and on. I also told the GP about a strong family history of MS.

I received the results of the MRI today. The radiologist confirmed white matter in different parts of the brain, possibly reflective of small vessel disease.

I've been looking for some info on small vessel disease. I can't find much, but, it looks like it effects the elderly, diabetics, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. I am none of those, I'm 46. Even with the heart problems, I haven't had high cholesterol in years. It is now at 154 for total cholesterol.

I'm wondering if anyone else has heard of small vessel disease. My GP did refer me to a neuro, which, I'm getting in to see. I'm also seeing an opthamologist in a couple of days. I'm not convinced by a radiologist's reading of an MRI.