Cerebellum Atrophy Via Inflammation Causing Problems

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 🙏

@mjcbsn first, what is a TBI?
Seems like your body is playing with you. I’m glad you’re dementia free! Let’s pray that you will stay that way.

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 🙂

TBI Traumatic Brain Injury from a car accident that resulted in a brain bleed .

@annewoodmayo
I am in a rush now but wanted to respond.
Your situation might be occipital neuralgia. It’s inflammation of the nerves under your scalp. I’m running out to church now…

@mjcbsn oh my that is awful!
Cars were not built the same back then for sure. In 1969 I was T-boned and hit my face on that hard steering wheel. It dislocated my jaw joints.

@annewoodmayo
Reply #2. I am back from church…

I have psychologist because I have mental health issues. So that’s a given.

The Autoimmune diseases I have, Polyarthritis Nodosa, Fibromyalgia, and Occipital Neuralgia are causing me all kinds of problems. I see a rheumatologist, and a neurologist.

Hopefully, the cognitive test results from this week will give me a clearer picture of what I can expect for my future.

@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
Yes, the neurologist is aware that I see a psychologist. I share information amongst all my doctors.

I’m currently in the middle of multiple MRIs, MRA, and cognitive testing including the dreaded psychological test. I’ll be done the end of the week. My follow up appointment with my neurologist isn’t until January.

I was diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment more than 2 years ago. The balance issue is just another part of the equation. My eyesight has become worse, and my ophthalmologist said there is nothing he can do about that. I have double vision, and my neurologist said my eyes bounced when I was trying to follow his finger. Go figure…

I live alone. That is my choice but I know that will have to change.

@SusanEllen66 That is a lot of testing but hopefully you will get some answers. January isn’t all that far away. Only a few weeks. It takes some time for a psychologist to figure out results of psychological testing and interpret them so that information might come to you shortly before you see the neurologist.

Moving is so difficult to think about, isn’t it? When I was in my 20’s I could pack everything I owned into my little car and moving didn’t seem like such a big deal. Now that I’m in my 70’s it’s overwhelming. Do you have some ideas about what you would like your living situation to be?