Small Vessel Disease ???

[Twinsmom06]

I went for my second opinion at the request of my neurologist and it was a very good experience. A fresh set of eyes to look at the MRIs and other tests was good and makes me feel better in all of this.


Did any of you go through this testing (small vessel/stroke) during your quest for some sort of Dx? I had a massive amount of blood work (many vials) and they want to do an EEG. While most of my brain lesions are "typical" and some "specific" to MS my testing just does not seem consistent so they are looking at everything...again...ugh. But this is a new topic of conversation.

They want to do another MRI of my C-spine as well because the numbing I am feeling and the way it presented is more typical of spinal lesions. Seems "funny" that my brain looks a mess and my spine looked clean before...but my symptoms don't match...ahhhhh!!! This time they are doing with and without contrast which was not done the first time.

I was also given a B-12 shot and told to start supplements for both B-12 and Vitamin D-3. My b-12 was low...not super low but not as high as they want to see it. But I am indeed D deficient. Not a big surprise living in Michigan and having an office job!

Well...that's my latest update and question for you wonderful people! :)

Take care,
Kim

[Sidesteps]

Kim,

I did have the EEG. I also had an EMG and NC. They both were negative just some mild single spikes probably reflecting my myoclonus. Interesting tests.

My MRI's had a small vessel MRI imaging for small/vessel disease and strokes. It is actually rather interesting to look at the MRI's associated to that. I also believe some of my blood panels were toward that but I'm not sure which tests.

I think this is pretty typical protocol for some doctors. I am glad when they are thorough. My 1st Neuro didn't run ANY blood panels even though he was very concerned at how sick I was. (He kept asking me if I had some sort of head trauma recently. I hadn't.) That was one of the reasons I ended up moving to another Neuro.

[sllowe]

Quite the investigation - as it should be! Good news! No stone should be left unturned in regards to things that don't seem to match up.

Really sounds like this new set of eyes is not taking MS lightly. And, they want to make sure you are dx'd correctly, which will dictate proper treatment.

Least once dx is given, you'll be confident you are fighting the right disease :)

Shoot what was the question? lol Oh, anyone else w/this workup? Mine did not include the small vessel route, but have heard others who have gone down that road over the years especially since everyone is different, clinically, imaging, etc.