Understanding MRI

New diagnosis and before diagnosis
1

I already have had ME for over 14 years and am severely affected necessitating using a powerchair for mobility. I already get extreme fatigue, tingling, numbness and a wide variety of wonderful sympoms including brain fog and cognitive issues.

However a month ago i woke in the night with lhs paralysis and drooling. This continued all of the next day and I was unable to speak or be understood. The lhs of my body was weak. I was admitted to hospital on the basis of a possible stroke. A major stroke was ruled out but i was admitted for 3 days and had CT and an MRI. I was treated by a physio and occ health to help rehabiliate my lhs which improved massively over the 3 days.

MRI : My discharge report from the MRI stated "multiple cerebral and single right cerebellar white matter flair hyperintensities are present in a non specific distribution.

Would anybody know if this is possibly MS … I was treated in the end as though i had a TIA / minor stroke, but have ongoing occupation health and am booked to see a neurologist in 3 weeks time.

Any help in understanding the MRI and potentially what this is would be great.

Thank you

Sally

2

Hi, so sorry to hear of your health worries. MS and ME can appear very similar. I think you need a neuro to explain the findings.

Boudsx

3

Sounds like you’ve really been through it. Sorry to hear it’s been such a tough few weeks. I’m afraid even after reading up on MS extensively I’m none the wiser when it comes to interpreting MRI reports. It’s good you are seeing the neurologist quite soon as they will be able to answer your questions. Until then as impossible as it is not to worry I’d try to just look after yourself as best you can and focus on the recovery post-hospital. Good luck with it all and hope they are able to put your mind at rest one way or another xxx

4

Hello Sally

I’m sorry you’ve been having such a horrible time. I’m afraid only a neurologist can give you answers, and I see you don’t have long to wait, so hang in there. Think about what you might want to tell the neuro and make a ‘bullet’ style list; it’s so easy to forget things once you’re there.

Hope you’re feeling a bit better; I’m sure that heatwave won’t have helped.

Ben