Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...

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newatra 03/09/2015

Has anyone here had neurological symptoms and then had a brain MRI which showed lesions?

I've been recently diagnosed with RA, but spent nearly 2 decades with various neurological symptoms as well as physical. For the past 10-12 years or so, it was mostly the neurological symptoms (including memory loss, cognitive issues and chronic migraines, but also some other problems). I had tests done to diagnose Multiple Sclerosis but those came back negative... except for 14 brain lesions which we don't know where they came from.

Anyone here have brain lesions or neurological issues? Or were almost diagnosed with MS?

The physical issues such as pain and stiffness were passed off as depression and weight related until now.

CanadianRA 03/09/2015

So sorry to hear all this. I was diagnosed with seronegative RA in Oct but I've been doubting the diagnosis until this last flare. I'm being referred to a neurologist however to rule out MS as there is a genetic component to my story that comes from both sides of my family. Along with some terrible pain in my joints.. I have poor balance some twitching, sensitivity to hot water (even though I love the hot tub for my joints) and my doctor preformed a sensory test that was weird on my feet and legs . I have some sensory perception issues I guess. Along with weakness but that could be from the pain I was experiencing from the flare. I'm very glad my doc listens to me and is very proactive. This could all be stress however from my Dad passing away and my mother (so called) seeing my Dads estate now! I hope to get answers soon. I'm not much help to you however.. I don't know much about these lesions.. Time for a second opinion maybe! Good luck.

CanadianRA 03/09/2015

*Sueing.

depotblue 03/10/2015

i'll ask my ra buddy in my support group here locally. she sarted with lyme disease then it went to her eyes, while in the eye and ear institute they found lesions in her brain while lyme positive and RA onset diagnosed sero positive and joint frozen, additionally, immediate presentation.. from what she has babbled to me before the lesions, were part of the lyme diagnosis, which made no sense o me in my puny brain, but I'll ask her and post.

depot

newatra 03/10/2015

Thanks in advance depotblue.
And CanadianRA, I'm sorry to hear you are going through so much right now. Stress really does a number on people.

newatra 03/12/2015

My primary care doctor thinks that the brain lesions could be a result of abuse as a child. She is convinced that part of my issues are from mild traumatic brain injury.
Unfortunately, the abuse history has added to the delay in getting physical problems diagnosed (in my opinion), since doctors have had a tendency to see that in my charts... and then assume depression.

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