MRI shows small vessel changes

[SingsWithPugs]

I am posting here because I can't figure out how to start a new thread (I hope that is not a symptom!) Somewhere I read that there should be a "new thread" button on my personal page, but I can't find it.

A couple of weeks ago I had an MRI because of one-sided tinnitus and hearing loss. The MRI was to rule out a tumor. I got my results today and learned I have no tumor, but the MRI showed "small vessel changes" in my brain. The doctor who told me this is an ear, nose and throat specialist, and she suggested I talk to my family doctor about it (I have an appointment with him in 2 weeks).

In the mean time I have been googling, and getting frightened. I have noticed that sometimes I have trouble getting a word to come to me. I have never had a good memory, but I have been good at logic and reasoning. I have just retired as a Math professor. I am 64.

Sorry for high-jacking this thread, but I noticed it discusses vascular... problems.
I can't bring myself to type the D word. :-(

 

[Bunpoots]

Welcome to Dementia Talking Point @SingsWithPugs

I sorry to read of your concerns and I hope it turns out to be nothing to worry about. I found it tricky to find my way around this forum when I first joined.
If you would like to start a thread of your own go to your chosen forum and you will find a “post new thread” button in the top right corner.

https://forum.alzheimers.org.uk/forums/memory-concerns-and-seeking-a-diagnosis.26/

Might be a good forum to start in. Hopefully you will get more replies with your own thread.

 

[DesperateofDevon]

I had small vessel changes at age 30, compared to the average for that age- tests for blood clotting rates, & full spectrum of bloods will give your GP a better idea. I don’t have dementia... yet! But it’s worrying I understand.
Have you had an MRI before?

 

[Shedrech]

hello @SingsWithPugs
a warm welcome to DTP

as you wanted, here's a separate thread for you

I appreciate that hearing anything about changes in the brain would be worrying .... maybe jot down your concerns and anything you have noticed eg the trouble getting words, so you have a note of what you want to chat over with your GP
the internet and this forum can be really helpful but also offer far too much information ... so while I'm not suggesting you put your head in the sand, maybe give yourself a break from internet searching and enjoy these early weeks of autumn ... worrying itself can put stress on memory and other functions, so prepare for your appointment but start getting on with your retirement too

 

[SingsWithPugs]

I had small vessel changes at age 30, compared to the average for that age- tests for blood clotting rates, & full spectrum of bloods will give your GP a better idea. I don’t have dementia... yet! But it’s worrying I understand.
Have you had an MRI before?

No. This is my first MRI. Glad to hear you don't have dementia.

 

[SingsWithPugs]

hello @SingsWithPugs
a warm welcome to DTP

as you wanted, here's a separate thread for you

I appreciate that hearing anything about changes in the brain would be worrying .... maybe jot down your concerns and anything you have noticed eg the trouble getting words, so you have a note of what you want to chat over with your GP
the internet and this forum can be really helpful but also offer far too much information ... so while I'm not suggesting you put your head in the sand, maybe give yourself a break from internet searching and enjoy these early weeks of autumn ... worrying itself can put stress on memory and other functions, so prepare for your appointment but start getting on with your retirement too

Thank you for staring the separate thread. Since my appointment on Monday I have been quite stressed and many times each day I notice things that are surely signs of dementia. I missed a turn while driving, for example. Someone asked me where we had been camping this summer, and my mind went completely blank and I felt panicky. It took me a few minutes to remember.

 

[AliceA]

Hello, it must be quite frightening for you. Fear is perhaps part of the problem, it can bring on many of the symptoms that you are experiencing. So I know it is often not possible to just relax and enjoy when you have worry bees buzzing in your head.
You mention logic, this is perhaps your best weapon at the moment.
How I would tackle at the moment, and I am not you, would be to stop googling but start planning.

Plan the things you would like to do in retirement.
Plan to simplify your affairs to make it easier to do these things.
Consider what really matters in your life, so much doesn't.
Consider where you will be in twenty years time, would your present home suit old age!
If the diagnosis is good you will be free to fly into a bright future.

If not so good remember many are struck with an illness with no planning time.
Vascular changes can be very slow, life style can help slow down deterioration.
My husband had signs twenty years ago, he has travelled, chaired meetings, been involved in campaigns. Active in the U3a etc. Now at 88 he is very poorly but we have out lived many people.
So seize the day.
We too avoided the D word, there was no need to say more than he has a brain condition.
Now we do mention it because it has opened the doors to the extra help we need.

This could be just a scare for you, if so, use it as a wake up call to live each day as if it were your last and to plan as if you will live forever, advice given to us from a Hindu friend. Please keep posting. Alice A

 

[SingsWithPugs]

Hello, it must be quite frightening for you. Fear is perhaps part of the problem, it can bring on many of the symptoms that you are experiencing. So I know it is often not possible to just relax and enjoy when you have worry bees buzzing in your head.
You mention logic, this is perhaps your best weapon at the moment.
How I would tackle at the moment, and I am not you, would be to stop googling but start planning.

Plan the things you would like to do in retirement.
Plan to simplify your affairs to make it easier to do these things.
Consider what really matters in your life, so much doesn't.
Consider where you will be in twenty years time, would your present home suit old age!
If the diagnosis is good you will be free to fly into a bright future.

If not so good remember many are struck with an illness with no planning time.
Vascular changes can be very slow, life style can help slow down deterioration.
My husband had signs twenty years ago, he has travelled, chaired meetings, been involved in campaigns. Active in the U3a etc. Now at 88 he is very poorly but we have out lived many people.
So seize the day.
We too avoided the D word, there was no need to say more than he has a brain condition.
Now we do mention it because it has opened the doors to the extra help we need.

This could be just a scare for you, if so, use it as a wake up call to live each day as if it were your last and to plan as if you will live forever, advice given to us from a Hindu friend. Please keep posting. Alice A

Thank you Alice for these wise and uplifting thoughts! I read your message through twice and I will print it out.

 

[AliceA]

Thank you Alice for these wise and uplifting thoughts! I read your message through twice and I will print it out.

X

 

[Dimpsy]

I just wanted to pass on a comment that our GP said to my husband when OH was positive that he was going down the D path three years ago.

Memory may affect mood, but it is more likely that mood will affect memory.

It's perfectly natural to have fears, we all do, and caring for a blood relative (my mum) just adds to the pressure of 'what if I inherit the D gene'.
Some days I am positive that I am growing my own dementia, my memory isn't what is was, is it because I'm tired (always tired), stressed (likewise) or is this the normal brain function of mid 60 year old.

Celebrate the fact that you haven't got a brain tumour (the relief of having that confirmed has now been overshadowed by whether you have/haven't got D). One step at a time and try not to look for problems that may not exist.

 

[SingsWithPugs]

I just wanted to pass on a comment that our GP said to my husband when OH was positive that he was going down the D path three years ago.

Memory may affect mood, but it is more likely that mood will affect memory.

It's perfectly natural to have fears, we all do, and caring for a blood relative (my mum) just adds to the pressure of 'what if I inherit the D gene'.
Some days I am positive that I am growing my own dementia, my memory isn't what is was, is it because I'm tired (always tired), stressed (likewise) or is this the normal brain function of mid 60 year old.

Celebrate the fact that you haven't got a brain tumour (the relief of having that confirmed has now been overshadowed by whether you have/haven't got D). One step at a time and try not to look for problems that may not exist.

Thank you for this sensible advice, Dimpsy. I shouldn't meet trouble halfway.

 

[Greencat]

My husband has this too on his MRI also with mild atrophy. Mri was for suspected tia but migraines were diagnosed and stroke doctor said not to worry. We are seeing neurologist in 10 days as we complained to PALS about the stroke doctors attitude.

 

[El31]

My mum has small vessel changes but also has bizarre behaviours and she doesn’t think there is anything wrong at all.. she thinks we are all mad.
Anyway Memory clinic said these changes are very common as you get older, mum
Was 65 when she started behaving out of character and is now 70. Anyway I would say because you are aware something may be wrong it could just be normal memory problems with getting older. Mum still only has a cognitive impairment diagnosis but GP feels we may have enough evidence now to diagnose vascular dementia. My mum still thinks she is absolutely fine and isn’t worried about a thing which I believe is quite common with dementia