I had a TBI when I was in my 20’s and started having seizures. They had to do surgery to remove a blood clot and the seizures stopped. I’m in my 70’s now and in 2018 I was diagnosed with Graves’ disease and the seizures came back . In May I was hospitalized with swelling in my hippocampus and my Graves antibodies were high . No dementia Yet 🙏

Hey there, Sue Ellen,

Your situation sounds crummy- my sympathy! Mine might be a bit similar to yours.

I have an autoimmune disease/s, too.
I get tingling in my tongue, lips and face (intermittent, bilateral paresthesia?).
Dentist, primary care doctor, 2 Ear-nose-throat doctors and neurologist with 2 brain MRIs -- conclusion is that there is inflammation somewhere inside my skull that is causing it. My rheumatologist thinks they are probably correct. So far, for me it's just an annoyance-- depressing but just annoying. I wonder now if all the doctors avoided saying "my brain is inflamed" so I wouldn't get upset.

I'm sorry that yours has thrown off your gait, etc. (Must really stink for you. I'm sorry I can't think of a better way to say that.) I can see why you might feel apathetic now. I find this Mayo site helpful. It helps me try to think if I can help other people here AND the "How about a laugh" section and the "Inspiring Quotes" section both cheer me up.

Do you talk with a therapist? I do and she is really helpful. Dealing with chronic illness is a burden and she has helped me a lot. Maybe you could give counseling a try?

Good luck to us 🙂

@SusanEllen66 Have you talked yet with your psychologist about your cognitive tests and your worries about vascular dementia?

The functions of the cerebellum include coordinating gait and balance. It is not directly involved in cognitive function such as memory but it is involved in coordinating the muscles having to do with speech articulation.

You shared that you see a neurologist. Have you talked with the neurologist about your results?

@naturegirl5 last night I was able to see the test results of the MRI and MRA done on Thursday. The Imaging portal has them posted for me to see. Based on the reports my arteries feeding into the brain are normal!
Yeah!
Now the cognitive function tests are this week and another MRI tomorrow morning.

I’m 74 and understand what you’re saying about moving. Back in the ‘60s people would pack their belongings into a VW bug and take off!
I have no clue where I can go. I have 2 sons, one is an addict, and the other is just not a caretaker.
I live in Arizona in the very warm/ hot desert climate that I love. I have family in NY but the cold weather hurts my bones!
So, one day at a time.

I have cerebellar degeneration of unknown cause that is most evident on a PET scan. This was not demonstrated by a brain MRI scan. If the MRI doesn't answer the question, additional tests would be a PET scan and possibly a spinal tap to analyze the cerebrospinal fluid. That is helpful for identifying immune system problems affecting the brain. I have found the National Ataxia Foundation helpful in learning more about disorders affecting the cerebellum. Many of them have a genetic cause. The website is: https://www.ataxia.org.
Also, to Helen, there is a specific cognitive syndrome related to the cerebellum: Schmahmann's syndrome.

I saw the results of the MRIs and MRA I’ve had since last Friday. Of course I am not a doctor so I don’t totally understand the reports. What I did figure out is that my arteries feeding my brain are normal.
The MRI of my brain shows white matter disease, & atrophy consistent with the physical and mental symptoms I am experiencing. I have to let my neurologist tell me if I have gotten worse than 2 years ago.

@dd2312 the more I learn about Ataxia the more I think that it’s very real for me.
My gait, uncoordinated movements and vision issues are pointing in that direction.
Thankfully, the PA in my neurologist office trained at a world renowned neurology center. I believe he is the one who can help me more than the doctor!

I have brain burning and there is also and electrified feeling in my brain. During the middle of night recently I had a burst in my upper left brain that woke me up. Since then I have much more dizziness (visually also) and pain Rt in area where it happened.. and word losses. I have not had mri bc they make my damaged nerves hurt on and on. Can anyone shed any light on this frightening event?

I do have a good neurologist. I’ve been thinking it’s my scalp too. My scalp is squeezing my skull - I actually occ hear little bones snap. I’m scheduled for MRI Tuesday. They make my already sick painful Occipital Nerve on left go nuts with even more pain for yrs. I think he will order another EEG. TU for explaining the brain to me. I can see how my Thalamus could be involved bc I have Central Pain Syndrome (constant pain signals), skin very sensitive to touch, and I’m so very intolerant of cold weather.

I have a ? How would a neurologist determine if there is something wrong with the thalamus?