Cerebellum Atrophy Via Inflammation Causing Problems

@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.

@dd2312 thanks for the information! I will definitely ask my neurologist about Ataxia. I watched some YouTube videos and it appears to be a possibility.
Thanks

@dd2312 Thank you for the reference to Schmahmann Syndrome. Here is a peer-reviewed article found for anyone interested in reading more about this.

The Cerebellar Cognitive Affective Schmahmann Syndrome:

— https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12311-019-01068-8

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?

@SusanEllen66 Gait, coordinating movement and the coordination of moving your eyes in conjunction with your balance (eye muscles are innervated by cranial nerves that are coordinated by the cerebellum) all point to cerebellum. This all makes sense.

It’s great that your PC can be most helpful. If you haven’t already, please ask the PA how gait, coordination of movement and eye movement are all part of the function of the cerebellum. Please ask the PA to show you a model or a diagram of the cerebellum and where it is in relationship to your brain. I find models and pictures are most helpful in these explanations.

@irr4et I have a background in teaching neuroscience so I can answer some questions about brain anatomy and how it works. However, I can’t diagnose as I’m not a medical professional and diagnoses cannot be made here.

The brain does not have any sensation. It does direct sensation to and from other parts of your body. Is it possible that what you’re feeling in your upper left head is in the scalp, on top of your skull? There are lots and lots of nerve endings there. Also, there is another explanation. One of the structures deep in the brain, in the thalamus, is responsible for directing brain pathways for pain, temperature, and touch. Something going on in the thalamus might explain the burning sensation too. This is just a guess. Only a neurologist can make a diagnosis when you’ve been evaluated.

The loss of words - did you have trouble speaking? Felt like you couldn’t remember the words? Did that coincide with the dizziness? That’s something definitely to talk with your doctor about.

Since you can’t have an MRI, what does your doctor suggest instead?

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.