posted
I'm curious, too. I just had an MRI and an MRA...awaiting the results. I have the very same symptoms.
Posts: 495 | From USA | Registered: Mar 2010
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posted
elizza--good luck let me know how you make out. When will you get your results?
Posts: 574 | From Out there somewhere | Registered: Jul 2010
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IckyTicky
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 21466
posted
MRI can detect inflammation if its bad enough.. but my MRI's always came back normal, even with the symptoms you just described.
One MRI was even used AGAINST me, even though I am CDC+. "No evidence of Lyme disease" written on ER report. I wasn't even there for LD, I was there because I was having seizures and they wanted to know why I was taking abx and I told them. WTH were they thinking they were gonna see? Spirochettes swimmin' around in there? Be careful that they don't use your results against you.
-------------------- IGM: 18+, 23+, 30+, 31+++, 34+, 39IND, 41++, 58+++, 66+, 83-93IND IGG: 31+, 39IND, 41+ Also positive for Mycoplasma Pneumoniae and RMSF. Whole family of 5 dx with Lyme. Posts: 1014 | From Texas | Registered: Jul 2009
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Unless to rule out other things, I would not have an MRI unless a LL radiologist would be reading it - &/or a LLMD would be the one ordering it and receiving the final report.
Most radiologists and most MDs don't know what to look for in a MRI of a lyme patient.
I would not expect too much from the MRI. Even two lesions and signs of a past stroke were written off as "normal findings" for me. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Do have them image your NECK, too. --------------------------------
Chiari Malformation (Arnold-Chiari) is a serious neurological disorder where the bottom part of the brain, the cerebellum, descends out of the skull and crowds the spinal cord, putting pressure on both the brain and spine and causing many symptoms.
. . . In our otoneurology practice in Chicago, it is extremely rare for us to refer patients for surgery. Rather, we generally make arrangements to follow people on a yearly basis.
In our opinion, lumbar punctures, epidural blocks and related procedures that might cause a spinal fluid leak should be avoided whenever practical in persons with known Chiari malformation. The reason to avoid these procedures is that they may worsen the Chiari. . . .
� Physical therapy and chiropractic manipulation of the neck does not help the Chiari malformation. In fact, it may make matters worse. We have no objection to massage.
� Avoidance of activities that precipitates symptoms (such as straining, athletic activity requiring straining or involving forceful movements of the head on shoulders) is often useful.
As examples, we would suggest that persons with Chiari malformations not lift heavy weights, or play football. . . .
. . . In our opinion, the Chiari malformation is a condition that should be monitored on a once/year basis by a neurologist, and best of all, by a specialized neurologist -- an otoneurologist.
The reason for this is that while a neurosurgeon may ultimately operate on a patient with a Chiari, the huge majority of patients do not need brain surgery for the Chiari. . . .
- Full page at link above.
======================================
On the other hand, surgery REALLY helped this little boy: --------
By Andrea Canning and Mellen O�Keefe - May 10, 2008 - ABC News
Excerpt:
. . ."The brain literally is squeezed into the spinal column. What happens is you get compression, squeezing, strangulating of the brain stem, which has all the vital functions that control sleep, speech, our cranial nerves, our circulatory system, even our breathing system," Savard said. . . .
Regarding Chiari Malformation; I am unfortuately a bit of an expert in this condition.
I have chiari malformation and it does not require any special imaging beyond an MRI and an CINE Flow to diagnose. A standard MRI of the cervical and brain is what is used to diagnose.
Some doctors will do an MRI w/ contrast to see if a syrinx has developed as a result of the blocked CSF flow.
An MRI of the cervical and brain will show whether or not the cerebellar tonsils herniate through the forum magnum. A CINE Flow will show whether the CSF flow is blocked as a result of the herniation and this is what typically determines if one is a candidate for surgery.
This is the standand protocol for diagnosing chiari malformation.
One of the main reasons that chiari malformation is "missed" on an MRI is not because it will not show the herniation but because most radiologists are trained to only diagnose cm if the herniation is 5mm or more (this measurement is an old standard for diagnosing).
WHen in fact one could have a herniation less then 5mm and still be symptomatic with restriced CSF flow but fail to get a proper diagnosis. This is why seeing a neuosurgeon who specializes in cm is critical for proper diagnosis.
The goal of surgery is to help restore the flow of CSF.
I recently underwent brain and neck surgery to correcet my malformation and as a result of surgical complications had to go on 4 months of steroids.
Thing to remember with steroids is that they can also MASK infection - which they did in my case and now that I am off steroids my lyme symptoms are returning. My guess is the lyme was with me the entire time but was masked by the steriods.
If you need more information on chiari the best resource is asap.org.
(trigal2) -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
be careful of the dye tho, if they use it. people can react to it.
or maybe i'm thinking of ct scan....
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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-------------------- 3 months Doxy 8 months of Tetra 7 months of Biaxin/Plaq. 4 months Doxy/Biaxin/Plaq. 5 months Biaxin/Plaq. Back on Doxy/Biax/Plaq On the road to recovery. Trying to make people Lyme Aware....... Posts: 289 | From R.I. | Registered: Jun 2009
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posted
I think the pressure comes from the nerves being inflammed, not from the brain...my CT scan with contrats did not show anything abnormal... however I have exactly the same symptoms, so i think it's form the cranial nerves going down to the stomach and colon...
Posts: 723 | From Montreal | Registered: Oct 2010
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randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
my sister almost died from a reaction to the dye. she was coded and we almost lost her.
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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