tagger
06-25-2003, 01:48 PM
Afriend of mine went for a routine MRI to check for aneurism as her mother had had that problem at about her age. (47yrs) No aneurism but they id see "white fascial (sp?) spots on her brain. The doc mentioned this could be the harbinger of MS. She is distraught and can't see the neurologist for a month. Can anybody cast any light on the subject?....Tagger
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Mom_of_two
06-25-2003, 04:08 PM
Unfortunately, waiting to see a neuro is fairly common. After my MRI back in March, I had to wait to see the neurologist for 2.5 months. Even then, he didn't have the actual MRI film in his office! Now I have to wait again to actually have him see it and comment. He did say, however, that white lesions were found and that he is pretty positive I have MS (from the MRI notes).
Your friend is probably going through a lot of emotions about now. I know I did, and waiting to get it confirmed doesn't help matters any. White spots could mean other things besides MS, too. Does your friend have any other symptoms of MS that you know of? Good luck to this person, let us know how it turns out.
Your friend is probably going through a lot of emotions about now. I know I did, and waiting to get it confirmed doesn't help matters any. White spots could mean other things besides MS, too. Does your friend have any other symptoms of MS that you know of? Good luck to this person, let us know how it turns out.
jinglebts
06-25-2003, 11:43 PM
when my stroke was diagnosed, there were also what my neuro called spots of 'white matter' on the scans, which meant nothing -- just something one accumulates as one ages ... since your friend's mri was only to ensure that she had NOT had an aneurism, and there were apparently no other symptoms, i'd get a second opinion ...
just a suggestion, but i know what waiting for a DX is like, and if your friend had no other symptoms ... and on rereading your post -- i say a second opinion is definitely warranted ... :D
just a suggestion, but i know what waiting for a DX is like, and if your friend had no other symptoms ... and on rereading your post -- i say a second opinion is definitely warranted ... :D
tagger
06-26-2003, 10:30 AM
She has no symptoms of MS at all. The doc simply said these spots might be an early sign of MS. I guess when she finally sees the neurologist and sees what he has to say she can then decide whether she needs a second opinion. I'm glad to know that the spots may be harmless. I think the waiting is the hardest part for her right now...thanks for the replies...Tagger
JJerzak
07-02-2003, 05:17 PM
If they feel that this could be MS, and the MRI shows these spots, generally by the time there are several spots on the MRI scan, IF it is MS they will be able to detect what is known as Oligoclonal banding, which is indicative of the broken down Myelin protien in the spinal fluid. This would require a spinal tap, but should only be done at the suggestion of the neurologist.
Since there are no symptoms of MS at this point it is tough to say either way, but as always, a neurologist will help evaluate the situation.
Since there are no symptoms of MS at this point it is tough to say either way, but as always, a neurologist will help evaluate the situation.
ronaldo1
07-19-2003, 12:40 AM
I also have three white spots on the left side and three on the right side of my brain on a recent MRI scan. I had a lot of funny symptoms and thought I too might be in the early stages of MS, however my neurologist and radiologist confimed that they were not indicative of MS and that I did not have anything to worry about. It is something that happens to some people as they get older. The number of lesions and their size was also within what is considered to be an acceptable level for someone of my age (34 years olf). Hope that helps.