Headache + MRI and 'changes'? - Brain & Nervous System Disorders Message Board

mrfitz1965 · 07-14-2009, 03:36 PM

About three weeks ago I started with headaches on both sides of my head, tehy would be mild to very painfull. After about 1.5 weeks of them I went to my doctor and he did some quick checks and perscribed some migraine medicines. Took them for two days with no luck, called him back and he sent me in for an MRI. Just got a call and was told that there were some changes in my MRI (had one about 10 years ago for something else) and he has scheduled me to see a neurologist. That is the only thing I know, does anyone have any idea what 'changes' might mean?

Thanks

feelbad · 07-15-2009, 07:32 AM

unfortunetly it could be almost anything in there actually. it would have been nice if your doc could have actually explained just what 'changes' were involved here. did they do that MRI with a cntrasting agent too? you would know if they did as they have to do it by IV. using contrast, espescially when in the brain looking for things, just really helps to highlight alot more, like all of the arterial structures much more clearly.

if i were you i would either go to the docs office and request a copy of that MRI right there. or,and this would probably be much quicker? go right back to the place where you had that MRI done and get a copy from them. all you have to do is sign a release of information form and they will print off a copy for you. if you also do not yet have a copy of the hardfilms or the CD, you will need one for that neuro appt too. so you CAN just go there and ask for both at the very same time. saves time and you will get your rad report right then.

i have always gotten my own copies of not only all test results but get any other medical records too from every doc i have had to see just to monitor all my ongoing medical nightmares. this really helps you to really understand just what is going on with your own health too. but i place all test results in an expandable type of folder and that just gets brought with me to any appts i have. someone is always wanting to know something that i just can never remember off the top of my head, so this really does help.

but obtain that copy for yourself right now. like i said,if you just stop in at the place you had the MRI done at,you should be able to get it much more quickly. once you get it,at least you can stop wondering and have some indication of just what 'changes' were seen. it could be something simple or a bit more in depth. that word can mean many different types of things unfortunetly for us. once you obtain that report, if you want to you can type that summary out here and between myself anf others here we could possibly help in trying to understand it better. that would depend upon just what they find tho,lol. we are not docs here,just people who have had our own brain experiences too. please keep me posted, good luck marcia

mrfitz1965 · 07-15-2009, 05:23 PM

Thanks for the idea, went and picked up my results this afternoon. Now I just have to figure out what this means
'Scattered punctate areas of T2 and FLAIR signal hyperintensity are noted within the white matter of the bilateral frontal lobes. This may reflect a demyelinating process or possibly small vessel disease'. Any ideas?

Thanks!!!

Mike

NerveEnding · 07-16-2009, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrfitz1965

Thanks for the idea, went and picked up my results this afternoon. Now I just have to figure out what this means
'Scattered punctate areas of T2 and FLAIR signal hyperintensity are noted within the white matter of the bilateral frontal lobes. This may reflect a demyelinating process or possibly small vessel disease'. Any ideas?

Thanks!!!

Mike

How old are you? These are fairly nonspecific findings, but they are often seen in migraines. The radiologist has to over-read the film so that is why they put in the line about demyelinating disease, but the way the report is written makes that seem unlikely. This is not the report of anything like a tumor, bleed, stroke, etc.

mrfitz1965 · 07-16-2009, 05:09 PM

I am 44, and I have been having the headache for right at three weeks now. On a scale of 1 - 10, 10 being the worst it averages a 5 but goes as low as a 2 and as high as an 8. Nothing that I have been given does anything for it, I am on my second perscription with no luck.