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.
P
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.
P
@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.
No one has provided me any treatment. That's why I didn't think it was a big deal. I just knew it made it harder to "fight off the darkness" of my depression & anxiety disorder, per the neurologist, which has made my life much more difficult, and even estranged me from my only child. Another thing that I think might be unusual [?] is that I think I was still in my 50's when I was diagnosed. I think of it as an "old age" thing [I am 77 yo now], but I think I read that, as an aging symptom, it usually shows up over 60? You see, I honestly don't know much of anything, just bits and pieces about this. Someone said that I should get a new neurologist for my neurological stuff that is outside of the body movement, but in my experience, it is very difficult anymore to find a Dr who cares and will take charge to find something out! 🥲
P
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.
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.
P
@pkh3381 From what you’ve shared this seems like something to talk with your doctor about. You wrote that you haven’t seen a neurologist for awhile. Was it a neurologist who first diagnosed you with the Small Vessel Ischemic White Matter Disease? We aren’t medical professionals on Mayo Clinic Connect but I can share what I know about treatment for this. High blood pressure and high cholesterol can contribute to ischemia and so many patients are advised to take medications. These include medications to lower blood pressure and to bring cholesterol under better control. In addition, lifestyle changes are recommended such as changes in diet and exercise. Are you taking any medications for blood pressure or cholesterol?
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.
P
@pkh3381 From what you’ve shared this seems like something to talk with your doctor about. You wrote that you haven’t seen a neurologist for awhile. Was it a neurologist who first diagnosed you with the Small Vessel Ischemic White Matter Disease? We aren’t medical professionals on Mayo Clinic Connect but I can share what I know about treatment for this. High blood pressure and high cholesterol can contribute to ischemia and so many patients are advised to take medications. These include medications to lower blood pressure and to bring cholesterol under better control. In addition, lifestyle changes are recommended such as changes in diet and exercise. Are you taking any medications for blood pressure or cholesterol?
Connect
Connect
Like
Helpful
Hug
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.
P
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionDid the neurologist provide any treatment?
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI agree! Find a different provider.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionNo further treatment was suggested by primary care provider. Just that this is not causing the vertigo and to watch my blood pressure and cholesterol.
No one has provided me any treatment. That's why I didn't think it was a big deal. I just knew it made it harder to "fight off the darkness" of my depression & anxiety disorder, per the neurologist, which has made my life much more difficult, and even estranged me from my only child. Another thing that I think might be unusual [?] is that I think I was still in my 50's when I was diagnosed. I think of it as an "old age" thing [I am 77 yo now], but I think I read that, as an aging symptom, it usually shows up over 60? You see, I honestly don't know much of anything, just bits and pieces about this. Someone said that I should get a new neurologist for my neurological stuff that is outside of the body movement, but in my experience, it is very difficult anymore to find a Dr who cares and will take charge to find something out! 🥲
P
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionHave you been to Mayo? The doctors there take charge and they do care.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reactionmitfit: 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.
P
@pkh3381 From what you’ve shared this seems like something to talk with your doctor about. You wrote that you haven’t seen a neurologist for awhile. Was it a neurologist who first diagnosed you with the Small Vessel Ischemic White Matter Disease? We aren’t medical professionals on Mayo Clinic Connect but I can share what I know about treatment for this. High blood pressure and high cholesterol can contribute to ischemia and so many patients are advised to take medications. These include medications to lower blood pressure and to bring cholesterol under better control. In addition, lifestyle changes are recommended such as changes in diet and exercise. Are you taking any medications for blood pressure or cholesterol?
I'm sorry to hear this. No, I do not see a neurologist at Mayo, but have found my main physician to be really caring and helpful.
Yes, I am on medication for hypertension and cholesterol.
P