White Matter Lesions and Migraine Disease
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- čas přidán 14. 06. 2024
- Episode 77: Have you been told you have white matter lesions on your MRI findings?
What does it mean? How many of us have this finding? Should we be concerned? Dr. Lindsay Weitzel talks with Dr. Vince Martin about what these lesions we see on our MRI reports mean.
#headache #migraine #podcast #wellness
Follow the National Headache Foundation's podcast HeadWise, as host Lindsay Weitzel, PhD, has informative discussions with headache experts on the latest treatment, research, lifestyle recommendations, and personal stories about living with migraine disease and headache disorders. HeadWise can be found on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Overcast, or wherever you get your podcasts.
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It would have been nice for him to acknowledge patients who experience migraine and also have symptoms of ms and/or lupus AND WML.... are they more clinically significant then?
Thank you so much for this! This video has comforted me unlike others that scared me.
Thank you for sharing this. I am so glad to have found this video. I had hope but after watching this video my hope level increased. I wished I lived in his areas so I could see him. I will be watching the rest of the videos on this channel!
I've had headaches since childhood & was diagnosed in my mid 20's with vascular/stress migraine "dis-order". (1985 ish terminology.) In 2020 had a brain mri which showed white matter legions suggestive of demylenation - yet was told my mri was normal. I've never had an issue with high or low blood pressure. Now I'm in mid 60's & have developed almost every symptom of MS. Having all kinds of neurological issues & some pretty weird pains to top off the Fibromyalgia I was diagnosed with 10 years ago. So my PCP sent me to a neurologist who has ordered a brain scan. I am not confident that this doctor in this video gives much weight to the issue being discussed or that he is giving the seriousness due - white matter lesions are damaged scarring of the brain which is very serious leading to disabilities depending on where the lesions are located.
Completely agree
My father diagnost this desease , wht is cure
My story is a bit similar...
Migraines since my teens, fibro onset around 34yo, foci was seen, & within the past year they've increased.
MS has been debated by some docs over the years, but the conclusion has always been that I don't have MS, yet I've had symptoms (outside of fibro) that are more MS specific such as heaviness + squeezing of arms & legs sensations, spasticity, et.
I want to hope that the docs are correct, but have no faith in most of what they say due to so many past "scenarios".
It seems like everything gets blamed as a fibro symptom, or just disregarded, & it's beyond frustrating.
WOW, that is very dramatic. All people that have Migraines have white legions on their brain scans. That does not mean your brain is demylenating. Migraine is a Neurological problem. I had them since I was 12 years old (those were Hormonal Migraines). After menopause, I started getting them more frequently and not sure why??? All doctors want to do to treat these is Botox or give you Migraine Meds (I take the generic of Imitrex) or will suggest Dry Needling. Maybe one day there will be a cure for this disorder. Until then, it's extremely frustrating dealing with it.
Omg lioness me too. So I got some migraines (head pain kind) growing up and then got dizziness and was diagnosed with vestibular migraines, but I have always had these weird peripheral sensations like pins, needles, crawling things, heat sensations vibration, sensations and shock sensations on legs, arms, hands, and feet. I am not diabetic. I recently had an MRI with some white spots. They said it was nothing, but I wonder if I have MS it’s weird because sensations kind of settle down for like five years and then then they came back recently really strong
Thank you for clarifying that white matter lesions does not necessarily mean that there is an increased likelihood of dementia. Aldo helped me to understand the possible causes of white matter lesions and migraines.
Thank you very much. Great information.
Great information! Thank you so much for doing this video it's very informative very helpful and answers a lot of good questions thank you!
Incredibly informative and we'll delivered on each important aspect.
Thank you so much for your video!
Good video. And let’s not forget that some rare genetic disorders that can cause migraines, such as CADASIL. In severe variants (as I have), there is a high WMH load in parts of the brain that cause troublesome damage. I had severe, extremely painful hemiplegic migraines several times a year for 23 years, many of which lasted for two weeks. So, so glad I don’t get them any more.
Thank you for the information that was so reassuring.
Love this doctor, he makes everyone feeling still positive. Thank you!
Great video thank you for sharing this
So I have had migraines with aura for most of my life and was never offered an MRI, just prescription meds. When my migraines started getting more severe and more frequent I was sent for an MRI. The results showed moderate to severe white matter disease. The radiologist wrote in the notes to rule out Cadasil. My neurologist never heard of this before and wanted to check me for MS instead. I insisted on the DNA test for Cadasil and sure enough it came back positive.
I am in that .5% you spoke of that the white matter on an MRI IS serious. Cadasil is hereditary and half of my family members died from it before they could be diagnosed because Drs. blew off their symptoms or treated them with the wrong meds that accelerated their deaths.
You are correct with most migraine sufferers…. the lesions from migraines on an MRI are minor. But when the lesions on the MRI show up for more serious diseases, they usually are pretty blatant and don’t look like just migraine lesions.
PS… Cadasil lesions all over the brain cause early vascular dementia, which I was diagnosed with.
Hi Jen, just wondering do you have headaches all the time, I started experiencing headaches and my 1 MRI showed lesions, recently did my second MRI after 2yr. My biggest fear is those lesions increased. What were you headache symptoms?
@@younney1533 my migraines are controlled with twice daily medication, that doesn’t mean I still don’t get them.
Remember what they said on this video about the lesions showing up on MRI’s for people with migraines are usually incidental. I am a rare case along with people who have MS. Our MRI’s look way different… our lesion loads can be extensive have a certain look to them that will send up red flags to the radiologist reading the results. My family history was also a clue that I needed my Dr to follow the Cadasil route.
Some people are unfortunately just migraineurs, my daughter in law is one.
If the Dr is not concerned with your MRI and all other tests are good then don’t worry, try to figure out what your triggers are to lessen your episodes. There are new meds coming out all the time that help with migraines, please talk to your Dr to find what’s best for you!😎
Wow Jen ty for this information. I’m in shock right now bc I have migraines, an mri was done and showed so white legions and my primary said it was small vessel ischemia and nothing to worry. But I get spontaneous vertigo now -more often, more coming. I’m going to get tested for Cadasil. I have word recall issues.
Ty Jen.
@@Tad-zh4wr lesions in a Cadasil brain are usually symmetrical and localized in specific areas of the brain. They are not usually just random spots all over the brain but start connecting as the disease worsens and look like long strips of white on an MRI. It’s also a hereditary disease passed by one of your parents. Did your mother or father have an early stroke and or dementia? I am talking in their 40s or 50s? My grandmother was bedridden and died at 68, my mother had her stroke at 49, could not speak and was in a wheelchair until she passed at 70. I haven’t had a stroke yet but I was diagnosed with MCI (mild cognitive impairment) and can no longer work.
Good luck Tad, I hope you find your answers and feel better soon!🙂
Thank you !
Thank you.
Thank you for asking so many great questions.
I have an aneurysm that gets checked by MRA and MRI with and w/o contrast.
This is the first time my results have come back with white matter; 6 spots to be exact. I have orthostatic hypotension. I frequently become numb, dizzy, and faint upon standing. Migraines since 2012. Auras with visual disturbances and memory loss issues. My aneurysm, thankfully has not grown.
Experiencing the same- lots of white matter on mri - awaiting neurological appointment 😓
@@plainjane9119
How are you now?
How did the appointment with neurologist go, any updates with your migraines?
Thank you so much
wow very good video💗i feel better now
THANK YOU for this video. I just had my MRI read and showed white matter. I was so scared.
My nerologist read my MRI and saw all these white spots and told me I have Vascular Dementia! I have had very severe migraine (30 years) with Aura since my car accident. He wouldn't accept that it had ANYTHING to do with my severe migraines because its VERY rare. Therefore he dismissed my concerns
Great vid
What about the incidents of ice pick headaches (3 to 4 stabbing blows lasting about 5 seconds total) on the same side of the lesions?
I get ice pic headaches too
At what point do you consider that the brain damage area (causing the white matter change) then causes the pain issue from death of cells/neurons/inflammation? We do not find that headaches cause white matter changes - but we do often discover those with white matter changes have had symptoms (pain/other)
So many people say they get migraines but they’re just headaches! And employers I’ve had also call them headaches. Then they throw you under the bus because you’re not there. They have no idea that you can’t drive and it feels like someone is scooping out your brain with a metal spoon. Got laid off/fired before FMLA paperwork went through after 7 years making them money.
Terrible. People who don't suffer from migraines have no idea of the pain and suffering we go through.
Migraines are NOT just a headache.
It's a brain attack...with a complex set triggers and symptoms.
I'm sorry your employer was not supportive
It is their own ignorance.
This has been my experience.
I was found to have white matter lesions and 2 months later another mri showed more, my sister has a hx of aneurysms, my mom and 2 brothers had alzheimers one still living. I do have high bp but it still scares me. The pain is ridiculous at times.
I've had Migraine Headaches since I was 8 years.
How are you doing now, do you still have the migraine headaches, have you seen a doctor?
This video calmed my anxiety lol. I’m impatiently waiting to discuss my results even though I read them I can’t wait for my doctor to review them.
Hi saw your comment, I was diagnosed last year with this and have had lots of anxiety about them, especially reading all the scary things on google. Would love to keep connected
Hi Diane am not sure if that is what gives headaches but would definitely like to know more, do you have headaches most of the time! Would love to stay connected too. I am really conocernos about white matter lesions.
Is this the same as small vessel disease or ischemia ?
I'm in a similar position, waiting on my next appointment for mri review as they found wml consistent with demyelination
Ya it dose mean alot i will get a second and third opinion
I have suddenly started to forget things and have speech problems and have done a MRI can the test came back with increased white matter so does this just means I have Migraines?
When I had Covid my head would get absolutely severe debilitating pain when my body came in contact with hot or cold water. Any thoughts?
so a mri scan would not help ? or can it help.
Really appreciated your discussion with Dr. Vince Martin about white matter lesions. Excellent questions from Dr. Weitzel :-)
My recent brain mri reports "extensive white matter disease" and "demyelinating lesions". And an earlier mri says "findings meet MAGNIMS multiple sclerosis criteria". Does this mean that I may have m.s.?
My mri said the same thing and I'm 24 and I have multiple sclerosis. Newly diagnosed of this year. So far I am doing well. Diet and exercise is very important along with healthy food and vitamins. I hope you are well and that you don't have multiple sclerosis but if you find you do many people have it. Find a support group. God bless 🧡🌻
Thank you for your kind and thoughtful post. Still don't have an affirmative diagnosis as other than migraines, I don't yet have many symptoms.
Love your positive attitude. Wishing you the best through this challenging journey.❤
@@blujeanzz8726 Did you have any neurological symptoms or was it an unexpected find? My MRI also said the same thing.. Going to get a lumbar puncture tomorrow to see if its MS
@@zuldo8577 mine happened randomly over 3days. One day I was really tired. I'm a mom so that happens and I just thought it was one of those days I didn't sleep well. Then next day my leg felt heavy like I worked out too hard and then left hand and Gordian with left side of ny face numb went to the clinic. Doctor told me to go see a neurologist and not let anyone tell me I'm being dramatic. Couldn't find a doctor soon eniugh went to ER znd then they told me they'll run done tests to amen sure its not ms and tbh I got lucky they know what that was to begin with. I got lucky off the bat
Mine said the same thing and I have MS. I had other neurological issues though. Vision problems etc. found out 10 years ago
Can the be healed reversed what's non specific white matter lesion
hello, about Cefaly Device
it does not work for me. It even trigger more migraine. unfortunately i have passed the 90 days return policy a few weeks and refund was rejected.
What about white matter lesion due to lacunae stroke with history of migraine? Is the significance of white matter disease different in that’s case?
What if you have white matter but don’t get headaches ?
Can it lead to a stroke?
Memory loss
I’ve had chronic migraine that’s been escalating for 6 years and I’ve never had any imaging of my brain whatsoever. Should I?
Yes, you should! Be you're own advocate when it comes to your health!
I've had two MRI scans for migraine..both were normal.
I did an mri when i was 17 and it was normal . I did it again when i was almost 20 they found 1 white matter on my brain they didn’t tell me how, why and what ! So that’s why i’m here searching about migraine 🙆🏻♀️
@@Itsme1. I had white matter in 2018 ..had mri today. I now have more white matter😑 waiting to talk to my provider
@@mady4443 I hope you’re fine and there’s nothing to worry about 😪 give me update
How many years of migraine can induce white matter lessions in the brain? Can lessions occur in 2-3 months? Do they related with axon or dentrite loss?
Id love to know this answer.
The video does not say that migraines cause WML. The dendrite loss, assuming you're referring to MS, has a different pattern of WML, different than typical lesions
Oh my God
I have had migraines since I was 12 years old. Sometimes I get auras prior to the migraine and sometimes I do not. I too had white spots on MRI of the brain and got concerned. My doctor was not concerned.
yeah, it's not their brain lol. same situation here
@@leaveittolefty Disgusting isn't it???
I have MS lesions and white matter lesion Migraines. Nothing helps either one. I’m on a disease modifying med for MS, and a monoclonal antibody for Migraine.
What about white matter cgange
I read WML occurs more in migraine WITH aura. He said the opposite and he is wrong.
👍
Today I tested MRI and found white matter. I am worried. I have little memory loss and headache and balance problem. After medication 70 % symptoms gone...
I am hopping every think will normal
Which medicine and how you doing
@chhabindra kumar Bag, which medication are you taking?
Hope you’re doing better my I asked what are the medication
Pls can u tell as the medication
How are you doing now?
Please let's know which medication you're taking😊
The doctor told me i had white matter on my front lobe of brain when they did cat scan so is it harmful please help doc😩
I just found out today. Are we going to die write me back. And are you getting headaches and do u vomit 🤮
@@rhondaclark716 theres a good chance you will be just fine don’t worry yourself it can’t make symptoms appear from anxiety
Ya dont help when dr dont reply and ask is mri say ms or just migrains
Just found out I have white matter disease associated with migraines. I thought I was doomed.
How many lesions have you got?? I found wmd in accidentantal MRI for migraines
Vomiting??
🤕🙄🤦🏻♀️👨⚕️🙏🥇👏👏👏