Ask:
the Sun and this darn brain lesion
Dr Joshua,
First, thanks for offering this opportunity through this website. Thanks in advance for taking the time to read and post any insight to my question.
I have a brain lesion that has caused me considerable problems the past 13 years. It is in the left paritaloccipital lobe, 2 mm based on MRI with gad.
Getting the correct diagnosis has not been easy. The last dx was RR MS, but that is now doubted after years of MRI follow ups, plus normal neuro exams and minor symptoms.
Before the MS diagnosis, I was told I had a rare brain disease. 10 years ago I lost all functionality of the left side of my brain and was given oral Cytoxan and oral steroids. After a year of that, I was restored, though needed years of rehab, most of which I had to do at home because of insurance limitations.
Anyway, the docs now suspect it's an AVM or Vasculitis based on MRIs with gadolinium 4 years in a row. Either way, I've been told no one can do anything about it.
Well, I can't help but disagree, though I am not qualified to make any assessments. I believe I need more testing, at least an angiography (or whatever it is called) before I let anyone right me off as incurable. I know vasculitis is hard to diagnose, but I learned the hard way not to go with a diagnosis until the proper testing is complete. Needless to say, this has been so frustrating and I am lost at what to do with my life or what is left of it.
So, after all that I have a question: One of my biggest issues is the sun and weather in general, but the sun is the worst offender. Just a few minutes exposure and that darn lesion feels like it is frying in my brain. I start to feel ill, weak, and the color goes out of my face. It takes me hours, if not days to re coupe from that. No kidding! Have you ever heard of anything like that? If so, any advice?
thanks again! I am so grateful for any advice you have to offer.
NDN
Answer:
the Sun and this darn brain lesion
Hi NDN, thanks for posting your question.
I have very limited information to work with and no pictures to look at, so I recommend that you follow your own doctors' advice on this matter.
Is it really 2mm and not 2cm? 2mm is a very tiny lesion. If this is the only visible lesion and there has been no change in years, multiple sclerosis seems an unlikely diagnosis. I'm not sure what you mean by losing all functionality of the left brain, and I don't see how such a small lesion could be responsible for that. A single small lesion seems an unlikely finding in vasculitis, and a 2mm lesion is probably not an AVM, either. A 2cm lesion might be an AVM. A cavernous hemangioma is also a possibility. However, if it is indeed 2mm in diameter, it is also possible that it is an incidental finding without any connection to your symptoms.
Heat can worsen the symptoms of multiple sclerosis, but just a few minutes exposure to the sun causing the symptoms you describe is not something I have heard of.
You are correct that if an AVM is suspected, angiography should be considered. However, angiography is not without significant risks, and you should discuss the risk vs potential benefit with your own doctors.