5 white blobs in brain

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5 white blobs in brain

by Carol Spencer
(Penznce, Cornwall, UK)

The Falls Clinic doctor who looked at my MRI said that it was normal to get one white blob per decade. I find this difficult to believe what do you think? I feel as though he is not taking all of this seriously. Also, are there any other conditions or diseases that could result in these 5 blobs in my brain? I have had to ask for a second opinion, which felt awkward and now have to wait......... again. Help!

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5 white blobs in brain

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Jan 27, 2012
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Other Demyelinating Conditions
by: Akrista

Hi Carol,

So sorry you have to wait for your second appointment. I know you are in the UK and I'm not familiar with exactly how your system works. If you were here in the US, you'd, no doubt, be waiting as well.

I'm not a doctor, so I've never heard of the one blob per decade - so that may be true. There are a few other conditions which can cause demyelination. Here are a few:

Optic neuritis — an inflammation of the optic nerve in one or both eyes - a very common early symptom of MS

Devic disease or (neuromyelitis optica) — an inflammation of the optic nerve and spinal cord

Transverse myelitis — inflammation of the spinal cord

Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis — another condition which causes inflammation of the brain and spinal cord

Adrenoleukodystrophy and adrenomyeloneuropathy — these are rare, inherited metabolic disorders

Unfortunately, there aren't any cures in the medical community for demyelinating conditions. And symptoms and progression is different for each person. This makes it very difficult to pin-point the cause of diseases like this.

As I said in an earlier post, a neurologist will have to do a complete examination to rule out any of the other reasons for your blobs. And as far as the symptoms, there are many medications - sometimes even vaccinations which can mimic the symptoms common to MS.

So try and be patient and not stress out over the waiting part. Begin doing things that are healthy, like eating better, exercising when you feel up to it, and getting plenty of rest when you need it.

Developing good habits like this now will give you a jump start on managing any kind of condition you may have. And if it turns out you don't have any of them, you've at least taken steps to improve your overall health.

Take care,

Akrista

Apr 04, 2012
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Lumbar Puncture
by: Carol

Today I had a Lumbar Puncture, for anyone out there who is waiting for one of these. I can't say that it was painful, more weird pulling and pushing sensations. The running commentary to the student onlookers was more scarey than the procedure itself.

I now await the results.

REPLY:

Hi Carol,
I wondered how things were going with you. The results from this test should prove one way or the other whether you have MS or not. You've had the MRI's and everything else, so this should be it, I imagine.

About the lumbar puncture - I had to have emergency surgery a number of years ago and one of the things they tried before they finally figured out what was wrong, was this procedure.

Unfortunately, they couldn't get the needle through my vertebrae to even complete the puncture. I was so afraid that they would paralyze me or something, and was really glad that they couldn't do it.

I'm sure nothing like that happens on a regular basis - but I had never had one before - even with my pregnancies (they were all natural), I was just always afraid. I'm glad yours went alright and look forward to hearing the results as well.

Did they give you a time frame - weeks or month or two? How long does it take to get the results back?

Take care,

Akrista

Apr 05, 2012
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Lumbar Puncture
by: Carol

Hi Akrista and thank you for your reply. The results should be back in 2 to 3 weeks. I still don't really understand what it is that shows up in spinal fluid in order for a diagnosis to be made. I have been told, but am finding that as soon as I leave the doctors office or hospital, my mind is completely blank. Maybe anxiety! Is it something to do with protein?

Kind regards,

Carol

Apr 09, 2012
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Lumbar Puncture........4 day head ache
by: Carol

As I said earlier, I had a lumbar puncture last week. I rested a bit on the day after because my back felt a bit sore and thought that was it. But fourty eight hours after the test, a headache developed in the front of my head. The headache started to abate this afternoon and now has almost gone, thank goodness.

Carol

Apr 14, 2012
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Lumbar Puncture
by: Carol

I must admit to being very anxious whilst waiting for the results of my recent lumar puncture.

What I don't understand is, what is it that shows up in the fluid to enable a diagnosis?

Also, I know at least two people who have MS and their tests came back clear. So what's it all about?

Apr 14, 2012
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Lumbar Puncture for MS
by: Akrista

Hi Carol,

Just found this on the Web MD website:

How Does a Spinal Tap Help Diagnose Multiple Sclerosis?

A spinal tap that reveals a large number of immunoglobulins (antibodies) as well as oligoclonal bands (the pattern of immunoglobulins on a more specific test) or certain proteins that are the breakdown products of myelin is suggestive of MS. These findings indicate an abnormal autoimmune response within the brain and spinal cord, meaning that the body is attacking itself.

Over 90% of people with MS have oligoclonal bands in their CSF. While increased immunoglobulin in the CSF and oligoclonal bands are seen in many other brain and spinal cord conditions, their presence is often useful in helping to establish a diagnosis of MS.

However, a "negative" spinal tap does not rule out MS or other diseases. An abnormal autoimmune response in CSF is found in a number of other diseases, so the test is not specific for MS. Conversely, some 5%-10% of people with MS never show these CSF abnormalities. Therefore, analysis of the CSF by itself cannot confirm or rule out a diagnosis of MS. It must be part of the total picture that takes into account other diagnostic procedures such as evoked potentials and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Web MD - Multiple Sclerosis Spinal Tap (Will open in a new window).

According to this, if you've had all the other tests, this may be the deciding factor. If not, you may be in for a few more tests to rule out other things. I feel that many doctors want to be as sure as they possibly can before saddling anyone with a diagnosis like MS.

Even though, for you, it's taking so long. Just finding out will be a relief and put an end to all the questions and uncertainty that you've been experiencing. Hopefully this will be it and doctors will be able to give you an answer one way or the other.

Apr 15, 2012
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Thank you
by: Carol

Thank you Akrista I will look at Web MD.

Regards Carol

May 02, 2012
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More Confusion
by: Carol

The Falls Clinic doctor has given me a diagnosis of Cerebellar dysfunction and postural hypotension. He did not explain this to me or give me any prognosis. Just prescribed dispersable aspirin and 200mg Fludrocortisone [the fludrocortisone has made my anxiety and depression even worse].

I have been taking Venlofaxine for anxiety/clinical depression for several years, plus Zopiclone at night.
Can anyone help with an explanation of Cerebellar dysfunction?
The Neurologists letter came yesterday. He has said that, as there were no oligoclonal bands in the cerebrospinal fluid, it is unlikely that symptoms are due to MS. The symptoms therefore are unexplained at present.

No mention of Cerebellar dysfunction etc. In the meantime, all of the neurological and physical MS symptoms remain with me and deep down I do feel that this is what it is. Help!

Carol
[Penzance UK]

May 08, 2012
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Connection
by: Carol

Is there a connection between cerebellar dysfunction and MS?

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