Uncertain Future

Thread Starter

SamR

Joined Mar 19, 2019
5,491
Another brain MRI this morning.
This is brain swelling:
"ARIA-E: Present-no new ARIA E Decreasing sulcal effusion in the right parieto-occipital region measuring approximately 4.5 cm in length. Resolved sulcal effusion right temporal lobe."

This is brain blood vessels leaking, still "More than 15":
"ARIA-H: Present-no new ARIA H Stable multiple punctate foci of susceptibility artifact in the right parieto-occipital region. Other: No acute infarction, intracranial hemorrhage, mass, or abnormal extra-axial fluid collection. Stable atrophy and chronic small vessel ischemic change in the cerebral white matter. Flow voids are maintained in the major intracranial vessels implying patency. Orbits are normal. Paranasal sinuses and tympanomastoid spaces are well pneumatized."

So, it's still there and some of the swelling has gone down but lots of tiny capillary beds still bleeding. The parieto-occipital region of the brain is where you process spatial sensory inputs to generate purposeful movements about the space you are within without bumping into things. Or to be able to see something and accurately put your finger on it. Which would explain why I've been a bit wobblier and clumsier lately including a couple of falls and lots of near misses. I feel alright and the headache I was having from the infusions had lessened and I thought this brain damage from the infusions would have been resolved by now but seems that was just wishful thinking. I have also run across new some articles suggesting that Liqembi infusions have no real impact on Alzheimer's and due to the expense of 18 months of treatment and the efforts expended on them that it is not really worth in the end what toll it takes on the patient. Go figure... Also, there are lots of "Snake Oil" treatments and "Miracle Cures" being marketed to seniors for the various dementias. But hey, if you think you feel better taking them, who am I to argue their real benefits.
 
Last edited:

cmartinez

Joined Jan 17, 2007
8,767

Thread Starter

SamR

Joined Mar 19, 2019
5,491
The neurologist did finally tell me that the MRI said I was "stable" and was apparently unconcerned with the results. He did change me from Aricept due to its side effect of giving me headaches (which was why I went to him for post-concussive injury headaches) and put me on another med. Unfortunately, it was just as bad and also caused fatigue and had me sleeping a LOT so I'm back on Aricept as the better of 2 evils. I'm to see him again this coming Thursday so will see what he has to say now then.
 

Thread Starter

SamR

Joined Mar 19, 2019
5,491
Oh yeah, my wife sent me a link to an article (can't find or I'd link it) about some promising studies being done in Japan with Adenosine? (I think, can't remember) in reducing Amyloid Plaque. Apparently good result in animal trials but no human trials as yet. So, there is plenty of work being done in this area but certainly not the attention and dollars being given to it as AIDS, Covid, and other "more deadly" diseases. Unfortunately reducing the Amyloid Plaque cannot bring back the dead neurons, and the information they contained, that have already died
 
Last edited:

Thread Starter

SamR

Joined Mar 19, 2019
5,491
Went to neurologist yesterday and saw the MRI pictures. A bit shocked at the extent of the swelling but the latest imaging shows almost all of it gone. The microbleed nodules (several mm in diameter clots) are still present but should be dissolved eventually. So everything is stable. They did give me another cognitive test (more in depth than what I usually get for my annual physical) and I scored 1 point higher than the last one so I guess that's good news at least. No more Leqembi though. I recently read an article questioning the efficy of it in relationship to the expense (~1K every 2 weeks for 36 weeks my cost) and effort required for all of the infusions and it is controversial. It is some very serious treatment with not much in the way of results. Sorta grasping at straws. Anyways, good news at least.
 
Top