Well, isn’t that special

The main reasons Dr. Garcia had me do another MRI and referred me to a neuro was because of the results of my last MRI and the symptoms I am/was currently exhibiting.

My last MRI showed what they called “non-specific white matter disease” (basically lesions on my brain). I was told then that the lesions were “probably” caused by all of the years of migraines. They did not at the time, though I was offered the option for further testing, believe it was MS (multiple sclerosis). I guess MS shows in what they consider a pattern and mine did not have this. Seeing as I wasn’t exhibiting any of the symptoms I am now, we chalked it up to the migraines.

Anyway, Dr. Garcia wanted me tested again. Most of my symptoms mimic MS though so does Lupus and Fibro. But I suppose it’s better to test and rule out than to not test at all.

Oh, by the way, do you know how freaking scary it is when you’re doctor says she wants you tested for MS because you’re exhibiting all of the symptoms and then sends you on your way saying everything will be okay, you’ll be fine. I freaked. (Though in all fairness, I do that a lot anyway.) For close to a month I had this possible diagnosis, this black ugly cloud, hanging over my head. I was not a happy camper.

Anyway…

Today I went to go see the new neuro and get the results of the MRI. Let me just say, I did not like this doctor. He was extremely hard to understand (and not because of a foreign accent), just very bad communicative skills. When asked why I was there, I started with the migraines and proceeded to list the rest of the symptoms. His focus: the damn migraines. Screw everything else. Let’s spend most of your appointment discussing the migraines you’ve had for close to 15 years. Doesn’t matter that your exhibiting hells of other symptoms, we’re just going to talk about the migraines. After 30 minutes of this crap I was like look, Dr. Garcia wanted me to have this MRI because she felt there was a possibility of MS. He looked at me like I was stupid. (I had brought in my previous films and he had the readings from both tests, but yet he hadn’t even looked at them.) GAH! His reaction was to tell me that no, from what you’ve told me, you don’t have MS. What? From what I’ve told you? You’ve only focused on the damn migraines, you haven’t asked me about anything else!

It was only after I listed the other symptoms again did he do any further testing. You know, the balance test, the strength test, etc. I failed the balance test miserably. Everything else he seemed to be ok with. Whatever. When I asked him what he thought was going on, besides the freaking migraines, he was all like…I have a few theories, but I need further tests. Umm, ok. You care to elaborate on those theories? Apparently not, because he sent me on my happy way with a date to have my brain electroed. Something about testing my eye/ear to brain stem responses. Who the hell knows. All I know is I have an appointment next Friday to have this done.

Joy Joy

I need a happy place

I had my followup appointment with Dr. Garcia yesterday. I suppose that it went well enough.

She had 3 pages of test results. Part of me was terrified. Part of me was praying that something was there that would explain all. To a point, I should have expected the results that came back.

All normal. Except 2. The two odd results were extremely high levels of antinuclear antibodies and moderately low levels of methylmalonic acid (MMA). At least I think that last one is right. Low levels of MMA are a sign of vitamin B-12 deficiency and high levels of antinuclear antibodies could mean several things. Most of which aren’t exactly good news (ie: multiple sclerosis, lupus, fibro), you get the idea.

From all of the symptoms I have, it could be any of those. Not exactly a happy thought. She is referring me out to a neurologist and having me get a second MRI done (the first being in May ‘06). She wants to see if the lesions they found in ‘06 have changed, if there are more, or if there is a pattern to them.

So until then, she’s put me on B-12 supplements. We’ll see how that goes.