1. < Brain & Nervous System

MRI showed SVD + WMH

Posted by yellowdoggirl @yellowdoggirl, Sep 21, 2021

I'm terrified. MRI showed white matter hyperintensities and small vessel disease.
Primary doctor said don't worry about it. "Nothing scary" in MRI, but it scares me!
Balance is getting worse, lightheadedness, falls, losing more words, dysautonomia - brain not properly controlling blood pressure and heart rate. My BP was high, now low, heart rate has been slow for years. I have AFib, too.
68 y.o. former runner, now swimmer, vegetarian for 40 + years.
What happened????
Will I get dementia?
Should I see a neurologist ASAP?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Brain & Nervous System Support Group.

darkarta | @darkarta | Sep 22, 2021

I too have white matter and small vessel disease.I have started taking statins,not because I have high cholesterol,but because there is evidence that lowering the LDL can slow progression.My BP is normal,so no need to treat.I am scheduled for a cardiac stress test,because this also can affect the heart,But the rythmn of my heart is normal.My advice,in view of the symptoms you are having,is to be seen by a neurologist.A vascular neurologist would be best,if you can manage that.BTW I had 2 radiologists view my MRI scan.Terms like,"mild" "moderate" "severe" are subjective.Another opinion of the scan itself might also be of use to put focus on the degree of white matter there is.You can write me anytime.I don't know if its OK on this forum to give out personal emails. *** I live in Montreal Canada.

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Sep 22, 2021
In reply to @darkarta "I too have white matter and small vessel disease.I have started taking statins,not because I have..." + (show)
@darkarta

I too have white matter and small vessel disease.I have started taking statins,not because I have high cholesterol,but because there is evidence that lowering the LDL can slow progression.My BP is normal,so no need to treat.I am scheduled for a cardiac stress test,because this also can affect the heart,But the rythmn of my heart is normal.My advice,in view of the symptoms you are having,is to be seen by a neurologist.A vascular neurologist would be best,if you can manage that.BTW I had 2 radiologists view my MRI scan.Terms like,"mild" "moderate" "severe" are subjective.Another opinion of the scan itself might also be of use to put focus on the degree of white matter there is.You can write me anytime.I don't know if its OK on this forum to give out personal emails. *** I live in Montreal Canada.

Jump to this post

Hello @darkarta, You will notice that we removed your email address to protect your privacy. Members can use the Send a Private Message feature of Connect to share contact information - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/get-started-on-connect/#send-private-message

REPLY
darkarta | @darkarta | Sep 22, 2021

Thank you very much,John,for protecting my privacy

REPLY
Amanda Roe | @amandajro | Sep 27, 2021

@yellowdoggirl I can hear the concern in your post. The following information may prove helpful as you learn more and I see @darkarta has also responded to you as well.

Cerebral Small Vessel Disease: What to Know & What to Do -- https://betterhealthwhileaging.net/cerebral-small-vessel-disease/

Did your doctor recommend seeing a neurologist with regard to your symptoms?

REPLY
2 replies
darkarta | @darkarta | Sep 27, 2021
In reply to @amandajro "@yellowdoggirl I can hear the concern in your post. The following information may prove helpful as..." + (show)
@amandajro

@yellowdoggirl I can hear the concern in your post. The following information may prove helpful as you learn more and I see @darkarta has also responded to you as well.

Cerebral Small Vessel Disease: What to Know & What to Do -- https://betterhealthwhileaging.net/cerebral-small-vessel-disease/

Did your doctor recommend seeing a neurologist with regard to your symptoms?

Jump to this post

Hi Amanda,I have read this article and have a LOT of problems with it.First of all terms like "mild""moderate" and "severe" are entirely subjective.There are ways to actually measure,there are scales of measurement that have been used in studies and should be imposed on all radiologist to define degrees of white matter disease.Secondly,by the time someone is having symptoms the disease may be quite advanced and there are many more reasons not mentioned in this article for white matter disease.For example, people who have inflammatory diseases,such as rheumatoid arthritis may be at higher risk since this is systemic in nature and can inflame blood vessels in the brain as well as other vascular beds.
As the population ages white matter and the toll it takes on the person,their families and resources required to care will become a great social and medical burden.This article does point directions,or look at these factors critically.

REPLY
yellowdoggirl | @yellowdoggirl | Sep 29, 2021
In reply to @amandajro "@yellowdoggirl I can hear the concern in your post. The following information may prove helpful as..." + (show)
@amandajro

@yellowdoggirl I can hear the concern in your post. The following information may prove helpful as you learn more and I see @darkarta has also responded to you as well.

Cerebral Small Vessel Disease: What to Know & What to Do -- https://betterhealthwhileaging.net/cerebral-small-vessel-disease/

Did your doctor recommend seeing a neurologist with regard to your symptoms?

Jump to this post

Thanks Amanda, yes, I am waiting to hear that I have been accepted as a patient at a neurology clinic specializing in the other problems I am having, too. Soon, I hope.
I'm far more at peace now, too, thanks to communication with folks here.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.