Small vessel Ischemic disease

i'm glad you posted, Chris. I have a similar situation (I'm in Port Angeles, WA) and know how scary and frustrating it can be not to get any clear, candid, or helpful info from even the specialists. I'm taking my test results to a more urban area (Seattle, probably) to get someone more experienced and better qualified to interpret them -- I hope. When I find the right neurologist and can get an appt, that is.

Some of your symptoms are consistent with Parkinson's, basal ganglia damage (even Lewy Body or vascular dementia, but less so?) -- all pretty terrifying words, I know. HOWEVER, I don't see any indication of any of those in the summary you attached, I think they affect a different area of the brain than where your primary problem seems to be, and I should probably not even mention those things -- am probably "projecting" -- because I am not a clinician of any kind.

These days, we have to be our own patient advocates and keep banging on the pipes even to get heard. Please do that -- fight for yourself, but not constantly and not so the stress makes everything worse. One call a day might be a good goal. And I hope you'll consider getting a referral for a consultation with another neurologist.

That’s my plan second opinion. But my scan has a lot of could be s. It definitely shows decreasing size which is scary at my age. I hope we both get answers. I wonder if I should worry with what my scan shows. My pain management dr said I have the back and brain of someone thirty years older than my age. I just want a diagnosis. Thanks

Some doctors don't seem to understand that we're grown-ups and for most of us, we can cope better even if it's bad news if we just know what the heck the real news is!

@soloact You got that right, my friend. That is the chief reason I do my own backup on anything the doctor does tell me. And if the doctor does not trust me to say the truth, I know durned well that the doc will not tell me the truth.

I have been to Mayo a number of times and have been diagnosed with small vessel unstable angina. I see a cardiologist near I live currently. I have learned to enjoy good days and even enrolled in External Enhanced Counter Pulsation. Actually was feeling better and would have a day or two without any symptoms. I am in session 25 of 35. I get however very bad episodes of angina. Which I am currently experiencing, I have maxed out on Ranexa and Imdur and of course take my nitro with me and take an extra boost whenever it get outs of control. Just recently had another cath and the main arteries looked open and of course I was told how good I should feel knowing that my blockages on my major arteries were still 50 percent. My concern it that in the last week my pain has went much higher than normal, I usually top out before I stop doing things at 3, but now it jumps to 5 or 6. I cannot walk without it jumping up. I am blessed that I can get it to decrease if I lay down and become inactive. My doctor seems to not know what else to do. I feel so discouraged that I have become so incapacitated, I like to live a busy life. I need someone to give me a little hope that has been going through this. This has been going on for years.

Depression is common with any heart problem, and with the pain you're enduring and the seriousness of yours, it wouldn't be normal NOT to feel depressed. I wish I had some knowledge or experience that would help, because I can tell you need some kind of relief. So I hope someone who has experienced angina responds and says what helps them and others who have successfully adapted to lifestyle restrictions or learned knew things that interest them that aren't physically demanding can offer ideas. Audiobooks come to mind? They're a distraction, interesting or entertaining, and you can sit or lie down. I am so sorry you're in so much pain so often on top of it all. I'm glad you posted this.

Hello I was just diagnosed with small vessel ischemic disease. I'm 40 and really don't understand what to do .. all the information I find is for people a bit older. In addition I have seizures and migraines. Can someone share some light regarding this.... I'm baffled.

Me too.........

I was given the results of my MRI. It said I have mild small vessel ischemic disease in my brain. The problem is that the neurologist who ordered these saw me once and now I can't talk to her to know if I have dementia or not. I looked it up myself and have every symptom and it is very scary. I had one in 2015 saying the same thing.........I am going nuts not knowing and it has changed my life. I cry all of the time and very irritable. I feel so alone.

Oops I just saw this was for the heart..........