Any Brain Docs on here?

[Jeff Alton]

Wife has been having some issues that prompted a visit to the doctor. Sore neck, sore shoulder, headaches, hearing issues, irritability, deteriorating vision etc.

Had an Xray on head, neck and shoulder and a CT scan on the head. The neck/shoulder issues are related to spinal stenosis.

When at the doctor today she was told that there are "patchy spots" on the brain which require further investigation... Scheduled for a MRI on the brain. Doctor did not want to speculate further. I have done my google research (which I hate) but wondering what we may be possibly up against. I know, could be absolutely nothing, which is the positive side of the fence I reside on, but the wife is stressed...

Any thoughts from those in the know?

[speeder]

Nothing to add other than wishing you the best and I hope she gets in to see a good neurologist.

[Sooner or later]

I hope for the best.

[Chocaholic]

Agree with Denis. Dr. Google will scare the crap out of you, but please remember, most of what you worry about turns out to be nothing. I’m sure the same is true now. Hopefully there’s a NeuroRad on the board that can chime in.

[billybek]

Hope everything is OK, Jeff.

I had a bunch of swelling in my armpit recently...
Scared the crap out of my self with Dr. Google.

[gchappel]

First question- how old?
They really can be almost anything, "patchy spots" are often aging changes in the right age groups.
We don't usually describe masses as patchy spots, so that is a plus.
Do you have an actual copy of the report- the actual medical description would be helpful, patch spots is not a radiographic description.
These are often nothing, but wish I could give you a better idea.
Good luck, definitely followup with the mri.
Gary

[Superman]

It is good you are getting it checked out. Scares like this, if they turn out to be nothing, can have a positive and even transformational affect on us. Like in this case.

[Jeff Alton]

Thanks all, appreciate the support and kind words. I am the 100% positive, glass is half full one. But, it isn't me going to the doctor so I get her stress.

ccghappel, thanks for your in sight. She is almost 47. Don't have the report but will be sure to get all the details following then MRI. I wasn't present at the appointment today and couldn't press the issue. Although, Mrs Alton is pretty forthcoming and insistent so I am surprised she couldn't get more out of the doc.

Thanks again to all.

[pwd72s]

Docs don't want to speculate..so understandable your wife couldn't get much out of him.

Wouldn't you rather have an "I don't know. That's why I'm ordering more testing." over some B.S. that could be a misdiagnosis?

[John Rogers]

Six years ago one Saturday I was going to the range but had all sorts of issues walking down the hall. I also had some trouble focusing so I told my wife, called 911 and went out front to wait, not long as we are two blocks from the fire house. The EMT's loaded me in the ambulance and the older of the two ladies said lets go to UCSD trauma center, sounds like a stroke. A few hours hater after the MRI was done the head of the stroke unit said " see that little white spot, that's the cause for all this" I spent a week in the stroke unit until the white spot was normal once again! She said I was a lucky boy!

[Jeff Alton]

Originally Posted by pwd72s

Docs don't want to speculate..so understandable your wife couldn't get much out of him.

Wouldn't you rather have an "I don't know. That's why I'm ordering more testing." over some B.S. that could me a misdiagnosis?

I'd rather have the truth of "I don't know" You are 100% correct. And thank you for being forthright Paul.

[Jeff Alton]

John, wow, sorry to hear of the health issue, and thank you for sharing. Was there any other symptoms prior? I have a few friends who have suffered a stroke, small and large. I, nor she, has seen any stroke symptoms, but we quite likely would not know what the small signs were...

Cheers.

[tabs]

That's a terrible thing..

[KFC911]

Wishing y'all the best also...stay positive.

I don't know is harder than knowing sometimes...

[speeder]

Originally Posted by John Rogers

Six years ago one Saturday I was going to the range but had all sorts of issues walking down the hall. I also had some trouble focusing so I told my wife, called 911 and went out front to wait, not long as we are two blocks from the fire house. The EMT's loaded me in the ambulance and the older of the two ladies said lets go to UCSD trauma center, sounds like a stroke. A few hours hater after the MRI was done the head of the stroke unit said " see that little white spot, that's the cause for all this" I spent a week in the stroke unit until the white spot was normal once again! She said I was a lucky boy!

Quick treatment is everything when it comes to strokes. We've seen the results of quick treatment and the opposite right here on this forum. Glad you did the smart thing.

[Crowbob]

Originally Posted by pwd72s

Docs don't want to speculate..so understandable your wife couldn't get much out of him.

Wouldn't you rather have an "I don't know. That's why I'm ordering more testing." over some B.S. that could me a misdiagnosis?

It is very understandable for the doc not wanting to speculate. However, as I understand it, he also did not use medical terminology for what he saw on the scan, either.

These days, you know most people will immediately go to the google and scare themselves sick, especially with a brain adnormalitiy. ‘Patchy spots’ sounds ominous enough which gets worse if you cant even look it up.

Hoping for the best here.

[jhynesrockmtn]

All the best to you and your wife. I've found as my Mom has been to the Doc for various things that it helps to have someone else in the room as she gets stressed and either doesn't ask questions or forgets what the Docs tell her. Friend, family, just someone to listen and make sure and ask any questions your wife may not think of in the moment.

[flatbutt]

Wishing your wife all blessings bro.

[recycled sixtie]

Thinking of you and your wife Jeff. Nothing wrong with a second opinion from another doctor if you have any doubts.
Cheers, Guy

[Hendog]

Nothing to add other than best wishes and a few words “upstairs” for a healthy outcome Jeff.