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What Must I Do When My Symptom Complex Seems To Be Suggestive Of Microvascular Ischemic Disease Of The Brain?

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Posted on Sat, 16 Jun 2018
Twitter Sat, 16 Jun 2018 Answered on
Twitter Thu, 13 Jan 2022 Last reviewed on
Question : I have a history of migraines and vertigo. Migraines I have had since I was 16 along with back issues I saw a chiropractor twice a week in high school due to collapsing a few times and something being twisted or pinched?? (they spoke with my father and I never really got the details back then) and vertigo began about 8 years ago. I am now 42.
They often happen together but sometimes vertigo will be independent from a migraine but a migraine will always trigger vertigo.
2014 I had an MRI and ENG? (painful test done to arms) The MRI report didn't seem to concern my Neurologist back then It contained things I don't understand like non specific microvascular ischemia changes and doesn't eliminate possibility of neuropathy. (I don't have it with me at the moment for exact wording).and the ENG revealed nerve damage, being worse in my left arm. In 2014 the episodes would occur a few times throughout the year.
In the last 2 years they have become more and more frequent and include neck pain, back pain, muscle cramps (arms and legs, pins and needles in hands and feet, dropping things, I wobble sometimes and need to be steadied, I occasionally forget things (most recently I couldn't remember the word sauce, it was like it just vanished and I have one several occasions put things in the refrigerator that don't belong there like keys or my eye glasses) difficulty staying upright during an episode, difficulty falling asleep and exhaustion. I also get muscle cramps and tightness in feet and hands. If I am on my feet for longer than 30 minutes or so, once I sit down and stand back up a little while later, my Achilles seem to seize and I end up walking on the balls of my feet until they loosen up.
The vertigo will occur without moving, with moving, the migraines will appear at any time, with smells (perfumes, cleaners, etc) Sometimes I smell things others don't usually burning wood or rubber, when I first wake up, while I'm working on the computer at work, driving, laying in bed in the dark etc... Sometimes my face (jaw) will also feel numb. There seems to be no set thing that causes the episodes. In between episodes I feel like I am in an endless state of foggy headedness.

My current neurologist took my verbal history and prescribes me various medications to prevent migraines and another to take at the onset of a migraine and when they have no impact at each one month follow-up, he's on his tablet scrolling through similar meds for prevention and to take at onset but he hasn't requested any of my past test results and has not requested a current MRI. My ENT ruled out Meniere's with a VNG on Wednesday saying it was within normal range after a hearing test revealed some low tone hearing loss that increases during migraine/vertigo episodes. He said since smells also trigger the vertigo he believes its a CNS issue and to continue with the Neurologist because it may be (vestibular?) migraines or something else related to my CNS and medication for that is trial and error.

I just want to know what's happening and I feel like the neurologists can't be bothered with me but other doctors (ENT, Primary, ER) keep telling me I need a neurologist.

I admit I have issues with verbalizing complaints with service whether it be for my tires or my body. I pretty much go along with whatever the person in charge says, and I know that's not a good thing either so I need to know exactly what I should be saying to the doctor to get him to listen to me and take me seriously.
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Answered by Dr. Shinas Hussain (7 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Microvascular ischemic damage of brain

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

The symptom complex probably suggestive of microvascular Ischemic disease of brain.
Microvascular ischemic disease is a term that’s used to describe changes to the small blood vessels in the brain
The cause of microvascular ischemic disease isn’t completely understood. It can be the result of plaque buildup and hardening (atherosclerosis) that damages the small blood vessels in the brain.
Consult an experienced neurologist and get an MRI done to rule out other causes.
Complete cure is difficult, your neurologist will explain various treatment options.

Wishing you good health.
Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng
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Answered by
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Dr. Shinas Hussain

General Surgeon

Practicing since :2015

Answered : 23657 Questions

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What Must I Do When My Symptom Complex Seems To Be Suggestive Of Microvascular Ischemic Disease Of The Brain?

Brief Answer: Microvascular ischemic damage of brain Detailed Answer: Hello, The symptom complex probably suggestive of microvascular Ischemic disease of brain. Microvascular ischemic disease is a term that’s used to describe changes to the small blood vessels in the brain The cause of microvascular ischemic disease isn’t completely understood. It can be the result of plaque buildup and hardening (atherosclerosis) that damages the small blood vessels in the brain. Consult an experienced neurologist and get an MRI done to rule out other causes. Complete cure is difficult, your neurologist will explain various treatment options. Wishing you good health. Thanks