Hello all! I don’t post much around here but I do follow the forum for some insight. My story begins over 5 years ago when my first symptoms began with optic neuritis. I currently experience debilitating migraines, numbness and tingling/pins and needles in both hand and face. Recently I have experienced an electric shock in my right hand when grasping/squeezing a certain way. Wake up to a numb right hand, not sleeping on it. Most recently a burning sensation in my thigh. All these symptoms are all in my right side.
I was seeing a neurologist but have recently decided to opt for a second opinion as I felt that he was just pushing me aside, dismissing me and my symptoms. I recently had an MRI in April, even that I had to push for since it had been two years since my last one.
Waiting to see my new neurologist but in the mean time this is what my MRI report stated. Any help/advice is welcomed.
Few nonspecific small foci of high t2/flair signal in the sun cortical/deep white matter of both frontal lobes have a nonspecific appearance and are most commonly seen with migraine phenomenon or chronic microvascular ischemic changes. Demyelinating disease is not entirely excluded and clinical correlation is recommended.
Ah, those dreaded non-specific hyperintensities. Basically they are small lesions, but the cause can be from a number of things - hence ‘non-specific’. Neurologists hate them as they can’t make a definite diagnosis from them. patients hate them for the same reason.
They’ve noted there that migraine or small blood vessel changes / disease are the most frequent causes of them. MS lesions can look the same too, which is why they say that demylinating disease cannot be ruled out, as can those from Lymes and other infections etc. The neurologist will also look at them, and view from their perspective and consider your other history and tests to see whether they form a helpful part in the jigsaw of reaching a diagnosis.
Those lesions however can cause symptoms, however they were created.
It makes sense to check that you are not pre-diabetic or don’t have high blood pressure as they can cause small blood vessel changes and result in lesions. Those are things that lifestyle changes and meds can help correct. Often they will be dismissed or glossed over as ‘normal aging’, but they should, in my view inform the patient, as they can then decide to make healthier lifestyle changes if they want, and reduce the risk of / slow more developing.
I guess they will check them against your previous MRI scans to see any changes.
Thank you for your reply. I visit with the new neurologist at the end of the month. I just want answers. My old neurologist doesn’t seem to be too concerned and dismisses me. Even after my most recent MRI he said I was “fine.” Fingers crossed I am able to get further testing, if needed, and the some kind of diagnoses.