anybody get a brain mri???

[Johnskip]

my brain mri read cortical and ventricle prominence somewhat more than would expect for a person of your age? The Docs at University of Penn said nothing results are normal no tumor etc I definitely think our brains and nervous system is the cause of this disease

 

[TiredSam]

I've had 3 or 4 since getting ME, so they could compare the earlier ones with the later ones. No change, and they found nothing that explains my ME.

 

[ladybugdreams2]

I had an MRI when they were looking for MS before my dx of ME/CFS but the Neurologist told me I had a beautiful brain, just perfect. lol

 

[Dechi]

You need a spect scan to show hypoperfusion. All ME patients supposedly have it.

 

[ahmo]

Mine showed "stress spots". Not surprised. I think it's Linda Bateman who talks about these spots.



2014 vid Dr. Lucinda Bateman Insights from the IACFSME Conference

 

[TrixieStix]

I had a brain and upper spine MRI w/contrast last year to rule out MS. I had 2 areas of "increased T2 Flair signal", which the neurologist said they were nothing to be worried about, and that they could be explained by me being a migraine sufferer. While this is very possible and my MRI results definitely showed nothing alarming, my ME/CFS specialist thinks it is a good idea to do a repeat scan at some point just to be cautious given I have a lot of neurological symptoms, some not explained by ME/CFS. Seems like a sensible plan to me.

As for ME/CFS possibly being caused by the brain, I am very doubtful this is the case based on the research coming out. In studies showing brain abnormalities in ppl with ME/CFS these abnormalities do not always persist. In that a person can have a test showing abnormalities one day and then another day the same test is normal. This is an encouraging finding as it points any brain changes likely being reversible, and not permanent. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Techs]

Early on I was convinced my MRI would show something extraordinary like MS or evidence of stroke -- since most of my symptoms seemed connected to (well-documented) neuropathies. But I was told they saw no abnormalities "for someone of my age."

 

[Dechi]

I had a brain and upper spine MRI w/contrast last year to rule out MS. I had 2 areas of "increased T2 Flair signal", which the neurologist said they were nothing to be worried about, and that they could be explained by me being a migraine sufferer. While this is very possible and my MRI results definitely showed nothing alarming, my ME/CFS specialist thinks it is a good idea to do a repeat scan at some point just to be cautious given I have a lot of neurological symptoms, some not explained by ME/CFS. Seems like a sensible plan to me.

As for ME/CFS possibly being caused by the brain, I am very doubtful this is the case based on the research coming out. In studies showing brain abnormalities in ppl with ME/CFS these abnormalities do not always persist. In that a person can have a test showing abnormalities one day and then another day the same test is normal. This is an encouraging finding as it points any brain changes likely being reversible, and not permanent. Just my 2 cents.

Abnormalities in the brain will reside if there is remission. My doctor wants to do another spect scan in two years, to see if there is improvement. However, at the rate it's going now, I feel I am getting worse. We'll see. Having abnormalities to the brain doesn't mean ME is caused by the brain, but rather that whatever is causing it is doing damage to the brain. Hypoperfusion is not enough oxygen supply to the brain, consistent with any recent finding about energy supply and production. In my opinion.

 

[Jan]

I had a brain and upper spine MRI w/contrast last year to rule out MS. I had 2 areas of "increased T2 Flair signal", which the neurologist said they were nothing to be worried about, and that they could be explained by me being a migraine sufferer. While this is very possible and my MRI results definitely showed nothing alarming, my ME/CFS specialist thinks it is a good idea to do a repeat scan at some point just to be cautious given I have a lot of neurological symptoms, some not explained by ME/CFS. Seems like a sensible plan to me.

As for ME/CFS possibly being caused by the brain, I am very doubtful this is the case based on the research coming out. In studies showing brain abnormalities in ppl with ME/CFS these abnormalities do not always persist. In that a person can have a test showing abnormalities one day and then another day the same test is normal. This is an encouraging finding as it points any brain changes likely being reversible, and not permanent. Just my 2 cents.

TrixieStix do you mind me asking what your neuro symptoms are? I also have a lot, including A- Typical Trigeminal neuralgia, severe migraines affecting my eye and half my scalp, which can then persist for days and move around my head, the obvious memory and cognitive symptoms, and neuropathy (hip and thigh).

Earlier on I went through long spells where it felt like my head was being clamped in a vice, and still frequently feel as if I've been beaten around the head and what feels like pressure around my scalp/brain when I have PEM. My scalp is also tender to touch. My memory is also getting worryingly worse.