← Return to White Matter Disease
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Brain MRI showed moderate degree of white signal change, demonstrating a deep and subcortical predominance, favoring chronic microvascular ischemic change. Have not heard from doctor yet ... This sounds kind of scary.
@goodie Small vessel ischemic white matter disease refers to periods of the stoppage of blood flow through the small vessels of the brain. Ischemia is a type of stroke in the brain and when there are many stoppages like this it can lead to more serious consequences such as dementia. This is something that requires treatment and management by a physician, typically a neurologist, who specializes in cardiovascular disease.
Microvascular ischemic disease:
-- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22927-microvascular-ischemic-disease
Have you been diagnosed with this? Or are you asking for a loved one?
@mitfit Are you seeing a neurologist? What treatment or medications is recommended for you? I am hoping that your physician is helping you to control this so that it does not progress anymore.
I was told some time ago that I have small vessel ischemic white matter disease and that it makes my neurological major anxiety and depression disorder worse, but that is all the neurologist told me. I also have a neurological involuntary movement disorder, in the form of a body sway that affects my balance and walking, and wonder if the white matter disease could also affect that? If anyone knows anything about this, I would appreciate help. I also have MCI, which was once diagnosed as "early dementia", and wonder if the white matter disease is a factor in this? I wish the neurologist would have ever told me more!
P
Helen, I don't see that neurologist anymore and haven't for some time. I guess the reasons may be obvious. 😉 No, all he did was tell me that it did affect my depression and anxiety disorder and confirmed that this could make it harder for me to "control" the anxiety and depression. He never explained anymore, never treated me in any way. I didn 't know anything about it, but with the lack of further explanation, I didn't think much more of it. I have also had brain aneurysms [small] for which he did annual brain MRI's and once I started getting the reports myself, I always noticed the mention of the white matter disease. The only neurologist I have now seems to be only for the body movement, which is his specialty. I asked him at one time if I should have another neurologist for all my other conditions, but he said no. Although, he does not do anything else for me. He has never ordered a brain MRI for me and he knows of the aneurysms, and I was told when they were discovered that I should have annual brain MRI's to watch for growth, etc. I realize I should have pursued this more myself, but my Dr and hospital experiences had led to my just giving up and letting things go.
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Have you been to Mayo? The doctors there take charge and they do care.
mitfit: Yes, I am a patient at Mayo, but my experience has been a little different from yours. Not all doctors take charge and care. I saw a neurological specialist for an involuntary body movement. Do you see a Mayo neurologist that you would refer? I would certainly appreciate it.
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Goodie, I am writing because as I read your answers I realized, many of us are dealing with the same mishmash of problems. I have the sudden falling asleep in the middle of a conversation, dropping the book or the email I was reading. I never know when, Inhave no warning. I am 81 years old. I have had Parkinson’s for 10 years, my feet feel like lead, I fall into walls. In addition I had a subdural hematoma and crainiotomy two years ago! I came out of that with no problems other than what I had before. We have moved into a retirement home as my husband had throat cancer! I have terrible balance problems. I have been diagnosed with congestive heart failure, I see a movement specialist neurologist! My primary care doc s not concerned, no one wants to it this all together, I get lung still of clots for no reason,it was an Oncologist who found this while he was trying to come up with a reason for the pulmonary embolisms. I see him again in two months, the neurologist in 2 months and the cardiologist in 3 months, I have not had an mri! What do you suggest I do? Is dementia inevitable? My father had something like dementia. My mother died of cancer when’s I was small! I have had breast cancer twice, ovarian cancer and melanoma once. I was hit by a Mack truck pulling a 70 foot modular home! I hav had 3 major back southern, my neck is bone fused, my back rods and screws from l-1 to s-2! Please tell me what you are doing about the small vessel ischemia white matter disease!
Goodie
I am 72 and just had a brain MRI wo contrast today. Already got the results. I have had weird symptoms for years but only now have things gotten to the point where I decided to try and find out what's up due to my husbands nagging me to see someone (ha! ha!) My family physician wants me to see a neurologist but there are only two here in Santa Fe, NM & I cannot get in until July 27!!! I wondered whether anyone has been to the Mayo in Jacksonville, Florida and has a recommendation for a good neurologist there. I wish we could go to the Arizona Mayo, because it would be a day's drive. However, for some oddball reason, the AZ. Mayo will not accept Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal Employees Program. It's been this way for years and its really quite sad. Years ago, I had to go all the way to the Minnesota Mayo. By the way, my MRI came out with Mild, nonspecific white matter disease but that demyelinating disease, including MS cannot be excluded and to consider a contrast MRI next. I have a history of kidney disease, been in remission for many many years now, and also wondered about that contrast material used. Seems like it can potentially really mess up kidneys. Anyone know anything about that? Thank you & have a beautiful Sunday!
Is dementia inevitable? Does anything help the symptoms? It seems to affect everything, balance, walking, talking, thinking, fatigue! I don’t seem to be able to concentrate on anything and strangely I can be talking with someone and instantly I am asleep! Maybe only a minute or so but…. Any help ideas?