I was. Optic Neuritis, abnormal exam, family history. However I did just recently have an LP that showed 14 O bands. So they got the diagnosis correct even without the LP,
LA
Hello and Welcome to the Forum :)
I too was dx w/ Out needing the LP. I think you made a wise decision in not having it done because even your doc explained to you his thought on it.
glad that you have been doing good.
Take Care,
~Tonya
Hi, and welcome!
I too was dx'd w/o a spinal tap. Well, I actually had two early on in my MS career, 78' + 82.' Both were for naught and dissasters! Following the first one, I had become so sick that I was hospitalized for 6 days. They had to literally kick me out of the hospital. It was another full week before I recovered enough that I was able to stand up for more than 10 minutes w/o being quite ill. The second one was not much better but doctors got rid of me after a few days.
Finally, 31 years and about 17 MRI's later, I showed lesions on my cervical cord, and on the pons and cerebellum.
Anyway, good decision on your part. Not that spinal taps are a bad diagnostic tool.
Frank
I was DX with MS and not having a spinal tap. my doc tends not to do them, due to the chances of them being negative and the person still having MS. A risk not worth taking for some people she said. (She is also at a Big MS center in Cleveland, so I trust her as well).
Take care,
Michelle
I am Dx my LP was normal, I have brain lesions, spinal lesions, optic neuritis.A Dr at a major teaching hospital wanted to wait and see. got a second opinion and was diagnosed right away.
Thank you all for you replies, much appreciated!
The ER Neuro suggested LP, but when I asked whether the results would alter his diagnosis & treatment, he said no. Very high % of false negatives, so a positive result would just confirm his diagnosis.
I declined the LP, have seen 2 neuros since then (for 2nd opinion & treatment) and have been doing OK on rebif for 10 months, since my diagnosis.