normal on xray

[Guest guest]

Pam: I happened to glance through a few emails on the yahoo site the other day, and saw one in which you were confused by a "normal" reading on an x-ray of someone with MSA. When my mother was thought to have PD and went to Barrow's in Phoenix, the docs there also told her that her brain x-ray was "normal"--that is, normal for someone with PD. Xrays only show so much, and for someone with a neurodegenerative disorder, certain brain functions still are normal, or within a normal range for that disorder. Someone else (or 50 someones!) have probably already responded, but in case not, that's my 2 cents.

[Guest guest]

Nan,

Everyone has some atrophy of the brain as they grow older. Without a previous

MRI to go by, it is difficult to determine what is normal. The 10-15 minute

neurological tests they noemally do can indicate a lot to a movement disorder

specialist as they can tell which parts of the brain are affected.

On your SSDI - the rule is that you be totally and/OR permanently disabled.

You do not need to prove MSA, only that you have a permanent disability

which keeps you from performing your present job with reasonable accomodation.

The doctor should be able to write that into his report if you are suffering

balance problems.

With no real perfect test for MSA (other than autopsy) they can still use

your symptoms as a diagnoses and things like ataxia, dysautonomia, dysphagia

are often enough to get the disability. Remember you have "suspected" or

"probable" MSA at this point. It still could be another brain disorder.

It all depends on which brain cells have died and how they died.

Take care, Bill Werre

EDWINA KING wrote:

In reply to the message about

the normal reading of an MRI, I too went to Barrows last year with my MRI

and report in hand. It stated it was normal, but then just recently, I

went to USC and the report was that I have some type of mid-brain atrophy.

Barrows never said anything about this to me. Maybe this is normal for atypical

PD. But what the new reading did was move my appeal to social security

for disability benefits into the most likely "approved" column. I appealed

this decision with the help of a company of former social security admin.

and examiners. They were appalled my claim wasn't approved on the first

time through. But now, with more specific info. social security looks like

they will approve my claim -- a dark victory. I also wonder why the five

other neuros. and specialists I went to with that same MRI didn't say anything

about this to me. I found out about it through the appeal company I mentioned.

If I have brain atrophy, I want to know it; do doctors assume a patient

might know this is normal for PD and PD like disorders? Finally, only USC

gave me a thorough exam--about 4 hours. The others were the typical 10-15

minute with the doctor exams.

Nan in hot, dry Yuma AZ

[Guest guest]

In reply to the message about the normal reading of an MRI, I too went to Barrows last year with my MRI and report in hand. It stated it was normal, but then just recently, I went to USC and the report was that I have some type of mid-brain atrophy. Barrows never said anything about this to me. Maybe this is normal for atypical PD. But what the new reading did was move my appeal to social security for disability benefits into the most likely "approved" column. I appealed this decision with the help of a company of former social security admin. and examiners. They were appalled my claim wasn't approved on the first time through. But now, with more specific info. social security looks like they will approve my claim -- a dark victory. I also wonder why the five other neuros. and specialists I went to with that same MRI didn't say anything about this to me. I found out about it through the appeal company I mentioned. If I have brain atrophy, I want to know it; do doctors assume a patient might know this is normal for PD and PD like disorders? Finally, only USC gave me a thorough exam--about 4 hours. The others were the typical 10-15 minute with the doctor exams.

Nan in hot, dry Yuma AZ

"normal" on xray

Pam:

I happened to glance through a few emails on the yahoo site the other day, and saw one in which you were confused by a "normal" reading on an x-ray of someone with MSA. When my mother was thought to have PD and went to Barrow's in Phoenix, the docs there also told her that her brain x-ray was "normal"--that is, normal for someone with PD. Xrays only show so much, and for someone with a neurodegenerative disorder, certain brain functions still are normal, or within a normal range for that disorder. Someone else (or 50 someones!) have probably already responded, but in case not, that's my 2 cents.

If you do not wish to belong to shydrager, you may unsubscribe by sending a blank email to shydrager-unsubscribe

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the info. Bill. I don't feel quite so "diseased" now. I wish I had a baseline type of MRI to compare the atrophy of today. Social security did learn of my balance problems, although they are not typical of PD, and I have trunk cogwheeling, as well as right and left side. I think they have enough specific info. now to make a decision. The appeal co. said USC's 7 page report helped. I still don't have a definite yes from social security, and I won't see any money; my LTD will deduct it from what they give me. But I still had to apply for it because of LTD rules. I'll be glad when everything is settled. It's wearing to deal with the government, doctors, and insurance. But I am not complaining; I feel lucky to have had a job with these benefits. Many are not so lucky. I'll have a new question to ask at my follow-up appointment at USC now; perhaps they can tell me if this atrophy is within normal range for my age. Thanks again, Nan

Re: "normal" on xray

Nan,Everyone has some atrophy of the brain as they grow older. Without a previous MRI to go by, it is difficult to determine what is normal. The 10-15 minute neurological tests they noemally do can indicate a lot to a movement disorder specialist as they can tell which parts of the brain are affected.On your SSDI - the rule is that you be totally and/OR permanently disabled. You do not need to prove MSA, only that you have a permanent disability which keeps you from performing your present job with reasonable accomodation. The doctor should be able to write that into his report if you are suffering balance problems.With no real perfect test for MSA (other than autopsy) they can still use your symptoms as a diagnoses and things like ataxia, dysautonomia, dysphagia are often enough to get the disability. Remember you have "suspected" or "probable" MSA at this point. It still could be another brain disorder. It all depends on which brain cells have died and how they died.Take care, Bill WerreEDWINA KING wrote:

In reply to the message about the normal reading of an MRI, I too went to Barrows last year with my MRI and report in hand. It stated it was normal, but then just recently, I went to USC and the report was that I have some type of mid-brain atrophy. Barrows never said anything about this to me. Maybe this is normal for atypical PD. But what the new reading did was move my appeal to social security for disability benefits into the most likely "approved" column. I appealed this decision with the help of a company of former social security admin. and examiners. They were appalled my claim wasn't approved on the first time through. But now, with more specific info. social security looks like they will approve my claim -- a dark victory. I also wonder why the five other neuros. and specialists I went to with that same MRI didn't say anything about this to me. I found out about it through the appeal company I mentioned. If I have brain atrophy, I want to know it; do doctors assume a patient might know this is normal for PD and PD like disorders? Finally, only USC gave me a thorough exam--about 4 hours. The others were the typical 10-15 minute with the doctor exams.

Nan in hot, dry Yuma AZIf you do not wish to belong to shydrager, you may unsubscribe by sending a blank email to shydrager-unsubscribe

[Guest guest]

Nan,

Wow, I wnt to UCLA Med Center aned their "examination" lasted no more than 5 minutes! 4 hours? Wow

Dr. Ray

-- Re: "normal" on xray

In reply to the message about the normal reading of an MRI, I too went to Barrows last year with my MRI and report in hand. It stated it was normal, but then just recently, I went to USC and the report was that I have some type of mid-brain atrophy. Barrows never said anything about this to me. Maybe this is normal for atypical PD. But what the new reading did was move my appeal to social security for disability benefits into the most likely "approved" column. I appealed this decision with the help of a company of former social security admin. and examiners. They were appalled my claim wasn't approved on the first time through. But now, with more specific info. social security looks like they will approve my claim -- a dark victory. I also wonder why the five other neuros. and specialists I went to with that same MRI didn't say anything about this to me. I found out about it through the appeal company I mentioned. If I have brain atrophy, I want to know it; do doctors assume a patient might know this is normal for PD and PD like disorders? Finally, only USC gave me a thorough exam--about 4 hours. The others were the typical 10-15 minute with the doctor exams.

Nan in hot, dry Yuma AZ

"normal" on xray

Pam:

I happened to glance through a few emails on the yahoo site the other day, and saw one in which you were confused by a "normal" reading on an x-ray of someone with MSA. When my mother was thought to have PD and went to Barrow's in Phoenix, the docs there also told her that her brain x-ray was "normal"--that is, normal for someone with PD. Xrays only show so much, and for someone with a neurodegenerative disorder, certain brain functions still are normal, or within a normal range for that disorder. Someone else (or 50 someones!) have probably already responded, but in case not, that's my 2 cents.

If you do not wish to belong to shydrager, you may unsubscribe by sending a blank email to shydrager-unsubscribe

[Guest guest]

Dr. Ray,

That is too bad that your appt. lasted for such a short time. I can relate though. My father, 72 years, came over to Yuma (from Phoenix) to take me to Phoenix, I can't drive anymore, and my appt. at Barrows lasted about 15 minutes--and the response I received was weird. They seemed inept, yet I know they are not. My Yuma doctors were very disappointed with what happened over there. My neuro. did her residency at USC, and knows the doctor she sent me to; she has been frustrated during the last year because I'm not a typical PDer. Maybe it's her connection that did the trick; I'm not sure. But I have never had such a tremendous amount of time for a physical and "talking" exam. Plus, this disease has made me almost indigent, so the doctor gave me about 21/2 months worth of Mirapex samples!

They prescribed Seroquel, which I had to stop taking because of cardiac irregularities, and the USC doctor's resident has called me at least 3 times, and even called my cardiologist to explain what was going on. The place I went to at USC is call the USC Health Consultation Center, where the neurology dept. is. My neuro. wanted me to go there about 8 months ago to see Dr. Waters, but I didn't know if my insurance would cover it. While I was finded out that info., Dr. Waters moved on to Harvard. Yes-I do feel lucky to have had such a thorough going over. The doctor I saw is also a professor although he spends a lot of time seeing patients. His MD resident did a lot of the work, and he is also very conscientious. Plus, I didn't judge well how long it would take me to get to LA, and my appt. was at 4 pm; they got me in at 11:00am since I arrived at 10! I do feel confident they are finally helping me--atypical PD was the conclusion although they are still working on what is making it atypical. Maybe USC is a research center? I'm not sure--but they treated me like I was their only patient, and continue to do so. With all the bad news and run around I've had during the last two years, I feel I've finally found a place that is really focused on truly trying to listen to and help me. They scheduled a follow-up for Oct. 25--what a good experience!

Nan

"normal" on xray

Pam:

I happened to glance through a few emails on the yahoo site the other day, and saw one in which you were confused by a "normal" reading on an x-ray of someone with MSA. When my mother was thought to have PD and went to Barrow's in Phoenix, the docs there also told her that her brain x-ray was "normal"--that is, normal for someone with PD. Xrays only show so much, and for someone with a neurodegenerative disorder, certain brain functions still are normal, or within a normal range for that disorder. Someone else (or 50 someones!) have probably already responded, but in case not, that's my 2 cents.

If you do not wish to belong to shydrager, you may unsubscribe by sending a blank email to shydrager-unsubscribe

[Guest guest]

The term that was used to describe my brain scan and MRI was "unremarkable".

barbara pond

blacksburg va