Brain Lesions

Posted by JadeVT @jadevt, Apr 11, 2012

Hi.
My name is Jade, I'm 21.
I've never used a site like this before so bare with me.
About 3 weeks ago I was sent to a radiology clinic for an MRI. The doctors were looking for a tumour. They didn't find one; what they did find however, was a cluster of lesions in my brain. Tomorrow I am going to a neurologist who wants to further study my films and discover why these lesions are occurring. The options they have laid before me are unsettling. The best option is chronic migraines have damaged my brain. But even then I would have to take expensive medication for the rest of my life to prevent further damage. My family was very supportive when we thought I had a tumour, but now they don't seem to understand how frightened I am.
Maybe I'm just not educated enough about brain lesions, but the term scares me. I need to speak with somebody who understands the panic I feel. A person who won't tell me to get over it, because this feels important to me.
Please help.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Stroke & Cerebrovascular Diseases Support Group.

Dear JadeVT -
Mayo Clinic does have some background information available on brain lesions:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/brain-lesions/MY00847.

I do not know much about brain lesions so I am unable to offer guidance, but I hope you are feeling better soon.

If you are intersted in seeing a physician at Mayo Clinic, please click on the "Request an Appointment" button on the upper right hand corner of your screen.

REPLY

Hi Jade, I am going through almost the same thing. I had gotten a back injury due to work (I'm a nua at a local hospital) and my doctor ordered an MRI because I was haveing strange symptoms and she was concerned it was an aneurysm. My MRI showed I have several brain lesions. At first MS was discussed but my doctor is saying it is "stress". This past Thursday, I was rushed to the hospital by ambulance because I lost all feeling in my legs, arms, and my speech. I just got out of the CCU yesterday. I had another MRI while I was in the hospital because I had yet another attack and it showed the same info as the first MRI. I am NOT getting any help with this with my local small town docs and I have to mait till May 10th to see a Neuro. I am so tired of the Doctors around here saying "stress" when all this is happening.

REPLY

I know what you mean .... I have had 4 back surgurys and still having trouble with pain , falling , numbness & other things. They have call it so much till they don't know what it is Sorry i'm new to this also........

REPLY

Hello Jade 🙂
First of all, take a deep breath and understand that there are indeed many other people out here with your exact symptoms and concerns, and I believe a lot of remedies for your condition 😉
I am the father of a 20yr old boy who was also diagnosed with a 5mm Brain Lesion just last week! As his father, I was stunned and am extremely concerned by this event. I have done some very initial research on this issue and have found that as with most medical situations, the limits of 'damage' run the gammet from very mild to very concerning. My son had a sudden seizure for NO apparent reason while sitting at his computer and fell on his hardwood floor, striking his head. Question? What was the reason that your doc was looking for a tumor in the first place?
So far, my son has received a CT, MRI and MRI with die. The only conclusive test was the MRI with die. If your MRI was w/o die, you must return and get the die MRI. Its like your doctor can see inside and outside of your entire brain! He should be able to tell you the exact size of your lesion which will be a good start for you to begin your process of dealing with your doc and begin to make informed decisions 🙂
I want to offer to you Jade, to be your friend and 'pen pal' as well as my son Danny so you no longer feel alone, and more importantly so we can share back and forth ALL of the information each of us learns !!
Please stay in contact with us as often as you like and we will do the same. Our next step is to see a Neurosurgeon as recommended by Dannys Neurologist which we will do next week as soon as our insurance authorizes the visit !! (this is NOT for surgery, rather to gain much more information from a Doctor who sees real brains on a daily basis). I will forward any information we get from him on to you 🙂
In the meantime, you will be in our thoughts and prayers and never underestimate the power of Prayer to comfort and Heal, especially 2 young people like you and my son !! 🙂 Lots of love and friendship, Brian and Danny 😉

REPLY

Hi! My name is Suzanne and I was trying to find out more about Brain Lesions when I came across your reply to Jade. First of all, I felt that it was so kind and thoughtful of you to offer encouragement as you understood what she was going through! I hope both your son and Jade are both doing well and received the proper treatment! I am writing bc I have been told that hat I have 2 lesions with one being deep behind my left eye. My neurologist has required me to take many tests which I have done and I am anxiously awaiting any answers as to why I have them. I have been experiencing horrible migraines and have been struggling a lot lately and I have been feeling anxious. If this is too much to ask please let me know, but I was wondering if you received any answers and was it helpful. If you do not wish to respond I will understand I just felt led to reach out to you.
From: roseptls (@roseptls);

REPLY

Hello @roseptls, welcome to Mayo Connect.

I can understand your concerns about brain lesions and migraines. I was just wondering how long you have had these migraines? I suppose you had an MRI which revealed the lesions? Have you experienced any vision problems as well?

I appreciate your post and I hope you find some answers soon. If you feel a need to get a second opinion, please do so. There are many doctors who have different specialties and you want to find someone who specializes in this field. If you are near a multidiscipline medical center like a university medical school or a Mayo facility that might be a good way to get a good second opinion. Mayo is especially good at diagnosing hard-to-diagnose problems.

Will you post again with an update on how you are doing?

REPLY
@hopeful33250

Hello @roseptls, welcome to Mayo Connect.

I can understand your concerns about brain lesions and migraines. I was just wondering how long you have had these migraines? I suppose you had an MRI which revealed the lesions? Have you experienced any vision problems as well?

I appreciate your post and I hope you find some answers soon. If you feel a need to get a second opinion, please do so. There are many doctors who have different specialties and you want to find someone who specializes in this field. If you are near a multidiscipline medical center like a university medical school or a Mayo facility that might be a good way to get a good second opinion. Mayo is especially good at diagnosing hard-to-diagnose problems.

Will you post again with an update on how you are doing?

Jump to this post

Thank you so much for your quick response. I had consistent terrible migraines for about 6 months when I was younger due to a head injury that required stitches. After that they have been on and off. I am 50 now and they are becoming consistent again. I did have an MRI which showed the 2 lesions with one being deep behind my left eye. My vision has changed again as i am having difficulty reading my computer screen. I’m just really nervous and that’s why I am reaching out. I really appreciate your information and helpful advice.

REPLY
@roseptls

Thank you so much for your quick response. I had consistent terrible migraines for about 6 months when I was younger due to a head injury that required stitches. After that they have been on and off. I am 50 now and they are becoming consistent again. I did have an MRI which showed the 2 lesions with one being deep behind my left eye. My vision has changed again as i am having difficulty reading my computer screen. I’m just really nervous and that’s why I am reaching out. I really appreciate your information and helpful advice.

Jump to this post

Hello Teresa! I thought I would give you an update. I’ve been diagnosed with MS and will see a specialist tomorrow to learn more. He also saw a pattern in my lungs that suggests I have emphysema which is odd since I have never been a smoker. I was however subjected to a heavy second hand smoke since I was a child. I feel hopeful that I will be able to get on a treatment plan that will be able to help me. Thank you for responding back to me😊

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.