white matter lesions

[tarter]

i received a letter from neuro today he explains last scan showd a few white matter lesions which he said could be down to age! I am 54. He he wants to repeat to see if there is any increase. He states they were non- specific and not typical of demyelination.

I have been examined by rhemy who clearly states I have a cerebral problem with balance and speech and left sideweakness in hand.

My GP suspected MS 2 yrs ago because of left eye problems double vision numbness in differant areas.


The last visit he said def thought MS now he seems to be going back to wait and see even though I have so many clinical symtoms. I think I wont go back again I cannot stand this.

I have another appt mon with new neuro but I cant take anymore of this I shall just carry on the best I can.
The worst thing he wrote she said she feels drunk and indicated if i did in deed drink!!!
I am a non drinker.

He prescribed amitriptyyline or nortriptyline 10 mg to be increased for burning toes and it might help me sleep.
The worst insult he write everything seems to be alright at home and her mood is good!!!  How would he feel with thses symtoms.

sorry for moaning but I am one frustrated lady!

[Adnvwsti]

I hope there are no more lesions or any myasthenia.  But I also know that in a way, I was grateful to just get to a dx and be allowed to stop feeling like a hypochondriac or being treated like I was making it all up.  MS is no fun, for sure, and I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy, but I am glad to know what is going on, what I can do about it, and what medications, etc. are being used to help with the disease.  It sounds like you are getting close to a diagnosis, too, and I am glad that you saw a neuro who was willing to listen and examine every possible explanation.  Peace to you and have a merry Christmas.  I'll look forward to reading your posts on what is happening next.  

[tarter]

Hi Adnvwsti. Thank you for your comments. I saw another neuro today who was realy understanding and said he would like to rule out myasthenia so has ordered more bloods.

He said like yourself this is a process of elimination and just because I had my strenth back today didnt mean there was nothing going on. I have been to the lupus clinic and on the last appt I was in a bad flare the report read there is a possible cerebral problem, re speech and balance and left side weakness. The MG thing is because my eye is sometimes closed.


Thanks again and Merry christmas to you and your family tarter

He made me feel human again so I will await my next MRI and see if there are any more leisions.

[Adnvwsti]

Before I was able to get my PCP to listen to me--back when I'd go see him and he'd just blow me off as another middle-aged female who has chronic pain, yada, yada, he even diagnosed me as having fibromyalgia and depressive disorder.  Well, when you have chronic pain, it is a bit depressing, especially if it is acute chronic pain and the doctor will not investigate why the pain is there.  Oftentimes, I think it is good to talk to a female doctor because male doctors tend to minimize the pain that women feel.  Just my experience, though it may not be the experience of others here.  Once I'd pointed out that I was seeing double, forgetting my own name, etc., he was moved to order an MRI.  When the two lesions appeared on the MRI, he said, "Well, it could have been a stroke.  You have had a heart attack."  Which then led to many more tests to rule out many other diseases and dxs, and finally the spinal tap, which revealed the MS antibodies.  Yes, it takes a lot of tests to dx MS, sort of a process of elimination, and I was tested for everything from Lupus to myasthenia gravis, but between the MRI results, the spinal tap results, the optic neuritis, blurred and double vision and the left eye refusing to track the movement of the right eye--all taken together, the evidence points to MS.  

If you want to continue with this doctor or cannot change doctors, then perhaps you will be able to confront him with his misdiagnosis as to your psychological issues that don't exist, and his "judgment" that you are consuming alcoholic beverages.  I would especially confront him about the latter.  I, too, am a non-drinker, and it is just too easy for a doctor to find a way to blame you for your own symptoms by passing it off as alcohol-related.  Really, please try again, with this doctor or someone more willing to listen and investigate.    

[supermum_ms]

Hey dont take the "everything seems to be alright at home and her mood is good" comment as an insult. I think its quite possibly making a statement that your not stressed out from a bad home life and or depressed so its NOT psychological.

I cant think of anything else, i think i might be drunk too :-)

Cheers.........JJ