I have no name for it

[trink]

I went to the Neurologists today.  I had seen her in October 2008 with ms like symptoms  two attacks or more and abnormal MRI's. Multiple Small White Hyperintensities in the subcortical frontal lobes.  In the previious apppointment she looked at my MRI's one from 2005 and 2008 ( I had a pituatry tumors)  She said  4 or 5 lesions not multiple lesions that the radiology report stated,  In her own words she said she "I am nor counting the small ones."  I had a comparison done on the two MRI's and it said they were stable.  My CSF was normal. This made me very unlikely for having MS.  Also taken into consideration was the fact there were no lesions reported on prior MRI's.  I had  2 in 2003 and 2 in 2004..  She ordered tests and I was ruled out for any other causes for my Hyperintensities and symptoms. Well she never read my old radiology reports from 03 and 04.   Recently when reading the 2004 report I found that there was a lesion detected in the centrum semi ovale.  Once I read this  I did my own investigating and found, what seems to my eye,   more lesions all over in different parts of the brain.  The Neuro wouldn't look at my
old MRI's though  she acknowledged that I did indeed have lesions in different parts of the brain but all she could  say is,  "I have no name for it."  Can you have a stable MRI over a couple of years and still possibly have MS or Pre MS?  And isn't there a specific protocal for MRI"s when suspecting MS?   She said there wasn't and my nuerological symptoms had no name.  Is there anyone who has had a similiar experience?  Is there any antidepressant that is helpfull for MS symptoms?  I currently take 200mg of Lamictal daily for Fatigue and depression.  After today I believe I will need sdomething else to help out with my health issues.
Thanks Trink

[sllowe]

Hi Trink,

Welcome.  
Well, if it were me, I would timeline what I had going on so far.  
From what you posted, I've broken it down a bit for you and added some suggestions so you can get started on it if you want to do this:
2005 and 2008
MRIs Pituitary Tumors

*October 2008: ms like symptoms  (PLEASE LIST THE SYMPTOMS INDIVIDUALLY)
*Two attacks (DESCRIBE WHAT HAPPENED DURING YOUR ATTACK)
MRIs:  Multiple Small White Hyperintensities in the subcortical frontal lobes
Comparison of MRIs: stable (WHAT WAS STABLE - NO MORE LESIONS? THE SAME ONES STILL THERE?? - DO YOU HAVE THE REPORT?)
LP: normal (DO YOU HAVE THE REPORT?)

*MIMICS RULED OUT IN 04?

To address some of your questions - Yes, you can have a stable MRI w/MS. And, the Dr. should write on the script "Multiple Sclerosis" when ordering the MRIs.

I don't like that your Dr. said that your symptoms had no names. I do not know what symptoms you had, but we include a lot of them in our health pages - please check them out if you have the time.  

Of course I have no idea if this is MS or not, but it sounds to me that you have been left in the dark a bit on what could be going on.  I think the only way to address it  is to start the list.

See you around!
Oh, and hello Jan (not remembering if I've said so yet)!
-Shell

[trink]

I appreciate hearing from you.  Dr appointments sometimes get me down.  I didn't know that MS is the only condition where lesions come and go.  I have another Dr. appt at a University Hospital MS clinic in Feb.  I am due for another MRI for Endo reasons in 15 months so mabey overtime I will get somewhere for a DX.
Thanks again
Trink

[BOK2Bjan]

I haven't had a similar situation, but I can say that yes, there is a certain pattern with MRIs that indicate ms.  MS is the only condition that has lesions that come and go. Lesions generally appear over time in different areas and can grow in their same place, and also recede and even disappear.  They normally start out in certain areas and follow a pattern over time as,the disease progresses.  Her comments as you state them, concerning your MRIs don't sound right.  As for the CSF - yes, it's harder to dx ms without positive results, but it's possible with symptoms, clinical picture, and MRI results over time.  I was "lucky" in that, having SSc already, as well as many other dx, I wasn't looking for ms.  I had neurological symptoms and MRIs that kept showing the lesions in a pattern that only occurs with ms, but my CSF was also + for proteins and oligoclonal bands and my symptoms were classic.  She walked into my hospital room (there for something else) and said I had a "slam dunk ms diagnosis".  I was numb.  

I know, though, from the long road to diagnose the Ssc, how frustrating it is to be in limbo.  Having doctors not listen or take previous tests into consideration can drive a person nuts.  Gather all of your results (copies of the actual MRIs) and their interpretations as well as a journal of your symptoms and see her again (or someone else if that's possible) and see if you get better results.  I wish you the best as you fight the medical system.  Blessings from Jan