MRI stat question

[someqs17]

Hi guys,

I am wondering what percentage of MS folks have ONLY spinal lesions and NO brain lesions? 5%, 10%, 20%? Anyone know? I have been having on and off symptoms for the last 2 years. This last year, I haven't had barely one symptom of MS, but I started getting tingling in my extremities again, plus fatigue and a bit of weakness, a day ago. Oddly, when my symptoms started 2 years ago, it was in October, and then last year, my symptoms went away for a while and resurfaced for a little while in October. And now-- it's October again so these "MS" symptoms are a problem again. I swear I'm allergic to October. So, all summer/spring and vast majority of winter, I am totally fine and then in October this starts up for a bit. Anyway, I have had a negative LP (1 1/2 years ago) and a negative 3T BRAIN MRI. They did a brain and spinal MRI 2 years ago but it was done on a crap machine (1T) so I don't even count that. Anyway, since I haven't had a legit spinal MRI I am worried maybe that's where they are hiding. My neuro seemed to feel brain would show it if I had it, but since my symptoms are tingling I worry its a spinal thing.

[someqs17]

Thank you guys so much. As for when these symptoms seem to happen for me-- October/Nov, the only thing i can think of is the temperature. Oct/early Nov is when it starts to get cold (I live in NJ). I've never tolerated cold very well at all-- I absolutely hate it-- so maybe the change from warm to colder is setting something off.

This all sort of started at the same time as another problem I've been having-- chronic yeast related symptoms after a course of antibiotics and a flu shot-- and I think my system is actually overwhelmed with yeast. When I went on a strict diet, these "MS" symptoms got a lot lot better. Now it's just the Oct/Nov months where I experience any sort of problem. Since regular MDs don't really believe in my yeast/candida problem, I've been working w/ a great Naturopathic doctor so I will talk to him about these sensations.

Based on your comments and my doctors feeling that it is not MS, I am going to try not to worry so much, though I may still see my neuro just to get his opinion again. Thanks guys!

[essdipity]

I wish I could answer the specific question in your post, but I can't. I'd think, though, that the percentage of diagnosed MSers with lesion activity identified in the spine only must be extremely small.

As I recall, people with PPMS are much more likely to have a heavy spinal cord lesion load and little in the brain, though whether that would ever be none I don't know. For you the point is moot, as you clearly don't have PPMS.

Some other diseases that produce spinal cord lesions (only?) are Transverse Myelitis and Devic's, which are very much like MS in terms of symptoms. But I'm sure you don't have them either, based on just layman's reading, of course. You have a relapsing-remitting pattern of something.

If you have tingling in your extremities, have you ever EMGs or nerve conduction testing? It could be something involving your peripheral nervous system, and these tests help identify peripheral stuff.

I don't quite get why, though, you think tingling comes only from spinal lesions. The brain can be the source of all kinds of weird sensations.

I suggest you see your neuro to revisit what's happening.

Good luck.

ess