Cerebral Brain Atrophy: Anyone else out there?

Welcome back to Connect, @menville. Things have been updated since you were here last. I hope you like the new look and feel.
I'm so glad you returned to offer your first hand experience with cerebellar atrophy or degeneration. I'm sure that @pec2884 @howardjames and @lisapraska would very much appreciate connecting with you.

I'd like to hear more about how you were diagnosed. Was it a long journey before you got the correct diagnosis? I can imagine that cerebellar degeneration wasn't the first thing that was suspected given that you were only 30 at the time.

I began having coordination issues and excruciating pain in my head (right hemisphere) and my muscles felt like they were being torn from the bone. I was also having some significant cognitive issues and as you suspected, put through the proverbial ringer of specialists at UT Southwestern in Dallas, Texas. I went from wearing 5” Stilettos to work to using a wheelchair within 6 months. My doctors in Dallas quickly realized I needed more help then what they could offer. A brain MRI indicated two hemangiomas and some lesions in the area of the head pain, EMG & NCV tests indicated some factors that led them to appeal to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota to evaluate me for some type of Neuromuscular disease. They also had found that my bladder muscle had atrophied, which led them to suspect MS. But there were also tremors and rigidity and a family history of ALS. Mayo took my case and discovered the cerebellum degeneration nearly immediately but other than never seeing it someone so young, they didn’t know the cause nor the way to slow down the degeneration. Spinal taps indicated it may have had a mitochondrial disease at its root and they proceeded with a very painful muscle biopsy to help them narrow the field. Unfortunately, all it indicated was that my muscles were atrophying naturally and again no way to determine why. Autonomic Nervous System testing indicated there was indeed a problem, and they also discovered small fiber neuropathy may be the source of the extremity pain. I was also suffering from seizures of several different kinds. My heart muscle had also shown signs of prolapse acquired during this time. Immune system issues, including nine cases of Shingles (which attacks nerves), was just another system that seemed impacted by this unknown neurogenerative problem. My gastrointestinal system was also atrophying, indicating that my esophagus and vocal cords could cause some more severe problems. Although I was having some swallowing difficulties, fortunately I still have my speech. My case was and still is a mystery. I have had 24-hour care for the last nine years and after four years of diagnostics, doctors have been resigning to pure symptom management as they are unable to help me in any other way. The NIH paid to study me and still have not gotten any closer to a possible outcome or outlook other than pain management, assisted living and psychiatric care to deal with the catastrophic life issues that are part of living without knowing. No one can convince me Mayo wasn’t the right place to go; I stayed with them for all these years as other institutions literally are years behind this. I have had devastating losses, injuries and daily struggles but greatful that I am still here. I transferred to the Scottsdale Clinic three years after leaving Rochester as my diagnosing Neurologist has never stopped researching and trying to evolve as I do. Although this is broad, I am happy to help the other families to understand a little more of what they are going through and if they have any questions or thoughts they care to share.

Hi @howardjames My husband is going through this now, being diagnosed with cerebellum atrophy. He is going to USF Morsani college of Medicine in Tampa Florida to have research done. What I can tell you is that his father and grandfather both had degeneration of the cerebellum. Both his father and grandfather passed away in their mid 50's. Both became bedridden and could not walk or talk by the end, both had passed within 3 to 4 years of being diagnosed. This is a hereditary disease with in his family. I have notice in my husband signs and symptoms that he might possibly have his father and grandfather hereditary disease for the last 8 years. He neglected to see doctors for many years when I insisted he see one cause he was becoming forgetful and clumsy. My husband is now 41.... He was found to have atrophy of the cerebellum January 2018 after being involved in an auto accident that he has no recollection of. He was seen at Blake Medical Trauma Center by a Neurologist that had ordered CT scan and MRI done of the brain to find what caused the accident. That is when he discovered Cerebellar ataxia spinosis/Cerebellum Atrophy/Cerebellar Degeneration. My suggestion is that you find a Neurologist that specializes in Cerebellum atrophy. From what I found in my searches for help is that not many Neurologist specialize in this field. I would look for Research centers or Medical Universities of Neurologist that are studying atrophy of the brain. Right now we are waiting to see a Neurologist that specializes in this field. We were fortunate the Neurologist that saw my husband at the Trauma hospital knew a Neurologist that studies this particular area of the brain.

Were you able to find more information on this condition? I see there are some YouTube videos that talk about it. The one I just saw indicated that a person could have this for many years, but not know it (not have a diagnosis). They call it "Cerebellar Atrophy" though. I've been told for 10 years now that I have brain atrophy, but that it was not related to my symptoms including sudden falls and I have not been told what area of the brain. I guess because of me being in my 40's (but the sudden falls started in my 30's), the doctors in my area just brushed it off as old age. However, when I recently had speech problems, they realized that I have excessive build up of fluid which a neurosurgeon told me is normal for brain atrophy. The problem they claim now is that it is shrinking faster than normal. He is sending me to the Mayo Clinic in MN for a diagnosis. He said that I definitely have some sort of neurological disorder, but that the doctors in my area just don't understand it to give me a reasonable diagnosis. I've been told nonsense like "you don't know how to walk" or depression at a university medical facility near me. Apparently I shouldn't expect too much no matter where I go. Been disappointed so many times. I've already been to the Cleveland Clinic and they just focused on the body jerks (involuntary movements) which a doctor said were myoclonic seizures even though the EEG indicated no seizure activity. I wish the "healthcare" system would look at patients as a whole so as to give them clues as to what is going on instead of focusing on only one symptom at a time. The body works as a whole; not one body part at a time. This "specialization" system isn't working! At least they should talk to each other and have more respect for each other! Their arrogance and ignorance are harming patients and are a big reason why people can't pay their medical bills! Too much wasted time and money goes on because doctors don't want to admit they don't know something. 🙁

Hello @marysue720

I see this is your first post on Mayo Connect and I would like to welcome you to Connect and especially to this discussion on Cerebellum Brain Atrophy.

I commend you on your persistence in seeking answers for these varied symptoms. It sounds as if you have been to many doctors and seeking help. I so appreciate it when patients become their own advocates and ignore medical advice which is not helpful, like "you don't know how to walk." That is so important to keep searching for the correct diagnosis.

I see that you are going to Mayo Clinic next. I feel that you will experience a different medical experience there. They treat the whole person, even though there are many specialists they all communicate with each other.

I look forward to hearing from you again and would appreciate your checking in after your Mayo appointment. I would be interested in knowing how you feel about the care you receive at Mayo.

Teresa

Hello Mary, I have been a patient at Mayo since I went there for a second opinion of my Multiple Myeloma. I have been very satisfied with my care. May God be with you as you find an answer to your health issues.

Hello @marysue720 @pec2884 @pec2884 @howardjames and @lisapraska and All Others Interested in Cerebellum Brain Atrophy. It was mentioned in a previous post about Youtube videos regarding treatments for Cerebellar Atrophy. Thanks to mentor, John, @johnbishop here are two of those videos that he found:

Treatment for Cerebellar Atrophy
— https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PM88OqWk_oY

Ayurvedic Treatment Cerebellar/Cerebral Atrophy
— https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hy-aR4h9X9c

If you have any comments after looking at the videos, please post them. There is probably some information there that you have experienced.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Teresa

I was diagnosed with lateral hemispheric Cerebellar atrophy in 2017. Does your husband have hemispheric Cerebellar atrophy? If you don’t mind me asking, was his prognosis based on how quickly the atrophy is progressing? I am currently in the process of trying to find a neurologist who specializes is this, as well as diagnosis of the cause. My symptoms are rapidly worsening. The pain (not sure if is related yet), is becoming unbearable. I also have a tumor called a vestibular schwannoma, which I have been told, is not responsible for my symptoms.

I am so sorry! I failed to indicate that I was responding to @howardjames. I am so sorry to hear of his diagnosis and prognosis, Noreen!
I also wanted to mention, I was diagnosed at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, as well. However, the focus was on the tumor so not much was even discussed about the atrophy. Now that my symptoms are becoming debilitating, I am searching for help in FL (where I currently reside). I am only 60 but may be forced to move back to MN, so my family can help.
I haven’t read through more than the first 4 pages of this thread (yet). I am hoping to read that you have found something that will help your husband. I have been reading good things about stem cell treatments. But that is a very expensive treatment and I don’t believe most insurance companies will cover that cost.
God Bless you and your family, Noreen!

@howardjames, I am new to the group. I just noticed that you started this conversation in 2016. How is your husband doing, Noreen? And how are YOU holding up? It takes an unprecedented amount of strength and courage, to be a caregiver, especially for your significant other, and a loved one!