brownowl
06-02-2007, 01:20 PM
My legs and head have gotten worse and I can hardly walk, so the doctor ordered another MRI -- the results are: "There appears to be moderate cortical atrophy. Minimal Ventriculomegaly. There appears to be several foci of increased signal on T2 weighted sequence and FLAIR involving white matter corona radiata, specifically bilateral frontal and left parietal regions. There does appear to be some evidence of white matter disease involving the bilateral frontoparietal lobe, it is unclear if these are microangiopathic in nature or respresent some minimal or early demyelinating process." As much as I try, I really don't know what this means. Can anyone help me and tell me what this means?
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MSNik
06-02-2007, 01:23 PM
have you asked your doctor?? Just curious as to why you have a report that wasnt explained to you..
Bearygood
06-02-2007, 01:25 PM
Nikki took the words right out of my mouth! Even if someone can explain this further, you need to hear your doctor's thoughts. Find out what it means AND where you should go from here...
brownowl
06-02-2007, 01:34 PM
The reason that I have it is because I had to go and pick up the films from the MRI Center to take to an appt. I have with the Neurologist on 06/21/07, and with the films is also a copy of the results report from the doctor that read the films. I called my Rheumatologist that ordered the MRI, she also read the same results to me and I asked her what that meant and she said that she really did not know, she was trying to talk the Neurologist, but the Neurologist is out of the office until the week of 06/21/07. So, this really has me worried.
Bearygood
06-02-2007, 01:57 PM
Got it. I'm far from an expert but the main thing I can see here is that things are inconclusive but there is some evidence that there is some deterioration of the myelin sheath. The potential GOOD news about this is that this probably supports that there are reasons you're having symptoms and that you're not crazy! (Doesn't mean this is definitely MS though.) Also at least looks like it's not a ton but as we know, people with few lesions can have a variety of symptoms ranging from none to a lot and everything in-between. Again, please be aware that you're getting this interpretation from the vault of my very minimal expertise! :D
It's excellent that your rheumatologist is trying to call the neuro though. Is there no covering doctor? Another thing it might be good to find out if she DOES successfully get to talk to someone else in the office is if you're going to need additional MRIs (if they do regard these are being somewhat inconclusive). At least this way, you'll have a head start for your appointment on the 21st. Honest, the 21st will be here before you know it so please, try not to stress. Just find out as much as you can beforehand but if you can't, it'll be okay! Hang in there!
It's excellent that your rheumatologist is trying to call the neuro though. Is there no covering doctor? Another thing it might be good to find out if she DOES successfully get to talk to someone else in the office is if you're going to need additional MRIs (if they do regard these are being somewhat inconclusive). At least this way, you'll have a head start for your appointment on the 21st. Honest, the 21st will be here before you know it so please, try not to stress. Just find out as much as you can beforehand but if you can't, it'll be okay! Hang in there!
duttin
06-02-2007, 03:10 PM
cortical atrophy--brain volume shrinking--sometimes normal for age or seen in a disease process.
minimal ventriculomegaly---meaning enlarged ventrical of the brain
microangiopathic---anemia or could be caused by narrowing blood vessels
This is compliments of my brainy sister,a medical transcriber.
She said don't spazz out over the definitions,the first 2 are very common in early MS.I have brain atrophy and enlarged ventricals.If you looked at your MRI films the enlarged ventricals are the center part of the brain on some films it will be in white other black.It kinda resembles an x.
Keep a possitive attitude and stick with us.The 21st will come soon.
minimal ventriculomegaly---meaning enlarged ventrical of the brain
microangiopathic---anemia or could be caused by narrowing blood vessels
This is compliments of my brainy sister,a medical transcriber.
She said don't spazz out over the definitions,the first 2 are very common in early MS.I have brain atrophy and enlarged ventricals.If you looked at your MRI films the enlarged ventricals are the center part of the brain on some films it will be in white other black.It kinda resembles an x.
Keep a possitive attitude and stick with us.The 21st will come soon.
brownowl
06-02-2007, 03:25 PM
Thank you for the responses. It just scares me so. It is very hard to stand up, let alone walk. I've got this headache that I thought was better since the Neurologist gave me this medicine called Depakote to take. It seemed to help this weird problem with this numbness that has been coming and going on the top of my head and on my face. It is really sort of weird because the left side has this numbness, but on the right side, I've had a headache that just will not go away. And now when I stand up, it goes right to the headache. The Depakote has toned it down, but for the last 3 days, the pain has come back to the point sometimes I can't see. It feels like I've got no strength left and everything has become a great effort to do and some things it seems I can't do at all anymore, like walking up steps, etc. I can do a couple, but then I just can't do anymore. I really don't know what to do.
Bearygood
06-03-2007, 11:28 AM
brownowl, the anxiety of not knowing is worse than anything you might find yourself facing. Not to mention, there's a good chance it's making whatever you're experiencing much worse! Please try to calm down and breathe deep. Do things to take your mind off this if you're able to! Please do not let this consume every fiber of your being, at least not today. :) Take the day off and call your rheumatologist on Monday. Please check in and let us know what she says. Hopefully you will feel better when you're able to get some professional guidance. We're here for you but this will also make you feel more that you are not alone! She sounds proactive. :)
brownowl
06-03-2007, 02:04 PM
Thanks for the advice. But, if you've ever wanted to see the most impatient person in the world, it would probably be me. I have patience for others, but I don't with myself. I can't sleep. So, I go to work. But, then it hurts to work. I've started to use a cane, because about half way through the day, the legs have nothing left. I've been using the cane on nights and weekends, I really don't want the people at work to know that I need to use a cane. So, if I have to leave my area, I hold on to things and move really slow. I know, I know, it shouldn't matter. But, trust me, it does. My headache is killing me, and when I sit here, I feel the muscles in my legs twitch. I've got them wrapped with those arthritis patch things to try to get them to stop hurting, and twitching, but they've seen better days. Any suggestions to make it through the day are always appreciated.
Bearygood
06-04-2007, 12:04 PM
A cane is probably an easy thing to make up an excuse for without actually lying! Perhaps something as unspecified as "You know, I've had an ongoing problem with my leg and it's really been okay for a while but it's starting to bother me again".
Re: the symptoms, I think I've read other people say that valium has helped -- and hey, it sure would help the anxiety, wouldn't it? Maybe your rheumatologist will give you a prescription for it -- of course you have to gage yourself in terms of how it will affect you but I think I'd be okay (just more relaxed!) if I took half or a quarter of one (depending on the dose) and worked. I think that anxiety can make symptoms more pronounced for sure.
Re: patience, well, brownowl, I get it but have also learned for myself that this dx -- and even just the process, has brought up some other lessons for me that really have nothing to do with the condition itself. ;)
Re: the symptoms, I think I've read other people say that valium has helped -- and hey, it sure would help the anxiety, wouldn't it? Maybe your rheumatologist will give you a prescription for it -- of course you have to gage yourself in terms of how it will affect you but I think I'd be okay (just more relaxed!) if I took half or a quarter of one (depending on the dose) and worked. I think that anxiety can make symptoms more pronounced for sure.
Re: patience, well, brownowl, I get it but have also learned for myself that this dx -- and even just the process, has brought up some other lessons for me that really have nothing to do with the condition itself. ;)
brownowl
06-04-2007, 04:16 PM
I'm making an excuse up as I type. I can't walk much today. I called the Rheumatologist and she has given me some muscle relaxers -- something called Skelatan (I'm probably spelling that wrong). She said I can take 4 a day. So, I've been taking a pill, going to a meeting, taking another pill, going to another meeting. Problem is that I have more meetings to go and running out of pills for the day, plus it is really making me tired. Everything is really stiff. And, for some reason my jaw really hurts, it has never hurt before. The headache is still wicked and the legs aren't walking yet. She said that she had tried to talk to the Neurologist, but has been unable to do so. Can I take more than 4? -- The muscle tightness is getting the best of me.
Bearygood
06-04-2007, 04:32 PM
No, silly owl! Do NOT take more than the doctor prescribed! Also, isn't there a time in-between the doses??? I'm sorry this doesn't seem to be working for you -- whatever this medication is, perhaps it wasn't the right call for you. Speaking of "call", please call your doctor!!!! Also, please make sure you drink plenty of water. I know that sounds like a nothing thing but when I'm not well hydrated it seems like everything is more pronounced. Every single time I forget or dismiss its importance it proves me wrong...!
brownowl
06-04-2007, 05:14 PM
Oh, this owl has seen better days. I'm not much of a pill person. So, I really hate taking medicine. I did wait about an hour to an hour and a half between each one. Which was probably not long enough. But, As Needed, carried a whole new meaning each time I took one. Still, it seems that they are not working too much and have only succeeded in making me tired and even more slower than usual. I think I need to lay down for a while and take a nap; and hopefully my headache will get a little better.
Bearygood
06-04-2007, 05:15 PM
Yes! Lie down -- and yes, I think you might have given new meaning to the "as needed" part, LOL! Truly, it sound like this might not be the right med for you. Put that bottle away, lie down -- and call your doctor! :)
brownowl
06-05-2007, 09:23 AM
Thanks Bearygood. The nap did help a little. Actually, it was the first time I've slept for 4 hours straight in about 6 months. Though I realize now that I shouldn't have taken so many of those. That was not a good idea. It seems like today will be another challenge. I called the doctor, but they say there is not much they can do. Actually, when I told them I can't walk very well, the lady reply - of course you can't. There's an answer for you. I'm just tired. Tired of everything and everyone. Sorry, a little grumpy today. Probably slept too much (ha ha).